RAF Typhoons and F-35Bs fired over 50 air-to-air missiles in exercises

According to the RAF, it was unprecedented in organizing the AIM-132 ASRAAM air-to-air missile campaign. [Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile] of this size.

In fact, according to a press release published on October 22, the Eurofighter Typhoon of No.[F]Second[AC]6[B]ninth[B]3[F] In addition to the Test and Evaluation squadron, it recently participated in a ten-day exercise in the Hebrides Archipelago, northern Scotland. They were joined by F-35B fighters from the 207th Squadron.

In total, the aircraft participating in this exercise shot down 53 Banshee UAVs using short-range, infrared-guided AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles. The aim of the RAF was to “develop the confidence” of its pilots by giving them an “experience” of live fire but also of the mechanics.

“Preparing the planes and missiles was crucial for the youngest of them. [notre] swarm. It afforded them the opportunity to understand the challenges of a live-fire exercise, especially since armed aircraft requires everyone involved to maintain a high level of focus due to the additional risks involved,” summed up a weapons technician from No. IX Squadron.

RAF Typhoon & Lightning aircraft conducted their largest-ever mass launch of advanced short-range air-to-air missiles. Over the course of 10 days, pilots from 8 different squadrons successfully fired a total of 53 missiles at the target UAVs. Full Story: https://t.co/K3CUwD0Dig pic.twitter.com/az0aV8bzu4

– Royal Air Force (RoyalAirForce) October 22 2022

A pilot, citing the RAF, spoke of a “fantastic experience”. “Seeing the missile disappear into the sky, right in front of me, was an unforgettable moment. The speed at which ASRAAM missiles can travel is really impressive. It allowed me to appreciate the capabilities of the missile and gave me insight into how to use it in a real combat situation.”

This type of exercise is even more important due to the scarcity of opportunities to launch such air-to-air missiles, as the RAF has focused primarily on air-to-ground missions in recent years. As a reminder, the first time an AIM-132 ASRAAM missile was launched in operation dates back to December 2021, when a hurricane shot down a “hostile” drone over Syria.

The RAF did not specify which version of the missiles were fired during this exercise. However, it is unlikely that it will be ASRAAM Block 6 [soit la dernière version développée par MBDA, ndlr] They were used because this type of “complex munition” only recently reached initial operational capability on the Typhoon. The difference between this model and the previous one is that it does not include any US component.