First release of a Storm Shadow from an Eurofighter Typhoon

14/12/14

Alenia Aermacchi, in close cooperation with its Eurofighter partners, successfully conducted the first release test of the Storm Shadow missile within the weapon integration program.

The trial took place last November.

Storm Shadow provides a significant leap forward in the operational capabilities of the Eurofighter Typhoon, allowing the platform to use more weapons and a greater distance, thus protected from the danger of engaging in opposing air defenses.

The missile, already in service on the Italian Air Force and Royal Air Force Tornadoes, uses conventional warheads, is difficult to detect and is a long-range precision weapon designed to neutralize high-value targets.

The system provides the ability to strike day and night and in all weather conditions, well-defended objectives such as port facilities, control centers, bunkers, missile sites, airports and bridges that would otherwise require a variety of missions and aircraft.

Powered by a turbo-jet engine, with a range of over 250 km, it weighs around 1.300kg and is a little longer than 5 meters.

It will be available to operators when the Phase 2 of Typhoon improvements becomes operational.

Source: Alenia Aermacchi