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It is the first Typhoon to be equipped with the “Pirate”,
passive, infrared search and track system made by a consortium
of companies led by Galileo Avionica, a Finmeccanica company.
The Pirate (Passive Infra-Red Airborne Tracking Equipment) combines
the functions of the FLIR infra-red system (Forward Looking
Infra-Red) and of the IRST system (Infra Red Search and Track),
able to search, detect and track potential targets. The system
operates in a passive mode, without emitting signals which might
reveal the aircraft’s presence.
Galileo Avionica is the prime contractor of the EuroFirst Consortium
which also includes Thales in the UK and Tecnobit in Spain.
In 2006, the consortium was awarded with a contract valued around
200 million euros to supply 200 PIRATE systems for the some
Tranch 1 and Tranche 2 Eurofighter Typhoons.
Other improvements associated with Block 5 includes the installation
of an Instrumental Landing System (ILS) for all visibility conditions
landings and the Enhanced Weapon Training Facility, offering
an integrated training system built into the aircraft cockpit,
providing the pilot with the simulated presence and operation
of external loads such as weapons and stores, such as air-to-air
missiles, or guided weapons, without actually carrying or dropping
the hardware.
The new version fully utilizes the Typhoon's digital flight
controls system, hence improving maximum load flight envelope
to 9g at subsonic speed and up to 7 g for the supersonic speed.
In the air-to-air mode, the new Block introduces evolved integration
of the new-generation air-to-air ASRAAM missile. The aircraft
radar now offers air-to-ground functionality and the aircraft
is cleared to carry and drop laser guided weapons, including
GBU-10 and 16 Paveway II. However, this capability has not been
fielded yet with the new Italian Air Force Typhoons.
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