A Brimstone missile has been fired from a Typhoon jet for the first time, in the fight against Islamic State.
The Ministry of Defence say that a Typhoon was deployed to the River Euphrates on the 19th of February, where a boat used by Islamic State had been identified and was destroyed using the Brimstone missile.
“The RAF also destroyed two Daesh strong-points, including a heavy machine-gun position, on 11 February using Paveway IV.”
The Brimstone was one of three weapons upgrades fitted onto the Typhoon last month under ‘Project Centurion’, worth £425m over the past three years. According to a release:
“This project not only enhanced the Typhoon with the precision attack missile Brimstone, but the aircraft also now has deep strike cruise missile Storm Shadow and air-to-air missile Meteor at its disposal.”
It means the jets have boosted capabilities to intercept airborne missiles and strike ground based targets, seamlessly taking over from the Tornado’s attack role as it nears retirement.
Read this story two days ago.
UKDJ Staff tend to have the Weekends Off.
In other news, A Row has broken out about how many Phalanx Systems should be fitted to the QE Class. Hopefully That will filter through to this site sometime soon.
It’s been a great source of Healthy Debate recently !
3 Phalanx is all that is needed in terms of CIWS, however I believe that there is a strong case for purchasing either RAM with the large Mk49 launcher, SeaRAM or Sea Ceptor.
The RAM options are easier as it is bolt on.
The main argument Ive seen against putting them on is that we havent had them before, and to that I say, so, didnt mean it was a good idea! And also that it will be part of a group, what if it isn’t? what if the destroyer is too far away? War is unpredictable, you dont know where it will be at the time.
I know sea dart was fitted to the Invincibles and it was removed, but that doesn’t matter, the reason it was removed was because it interfered with deck ops with the smoke, but sea dart was fitted on the actual flight deck, this system should be on the side. But if there is a missile coming towards you and theres no destroyer escort then your first priority will be to stop that missile not continue flight operations.
The QEs are much more high profile ships than the old invincibles because of their size despite having about the same crew size, they are high priority targets and need to be protected at any cost.
Finally every other capital ship that I know has more than a couple of Phalanx and some 30mms, the CdG has Aster, all the Americans ships have RAM, Sea Sparrow and more, the Italians have Aster, the Japanese have SeaRAM.
The only reason they aren’t fitted is due to cost, but this is a risk we shouldn’t be willing to take for money and deficits.
I consider it inconceivable that QEC would not have at least 1 ship as goalkeeper and likely more, from more than just the RN.
I dont know, what if she is sunk? What if she runs out of missiles with only 48? At the end of the day it won’t hurt to add it! There can be no unnecessary risks taken with lives and that amount of money! Its hardly expensive anyway!
Apparently Greece (amongst others of similar stays and wealth) can afford RAM but we can’t? Or have they cancelled it since.
“At the end of the day it won’t hurt to add it! There can be no unnecessary risks taken with lives and that amount of money! Its hardly expensive anyway!”
Cannot argue with that Keith. For whatever reason the RN does not consider it necessary.
To be fair in a sustained attack that forces several escorts to use all their SAM allocation and still has missiles getting through what use will Sea RAM do that Sea Viper, F35, Phalanx and all the rest could not stop anyway?
If the money is there and there is the need then fine. Otherwise there are other things I’d use the money towards – T31’s and Merlin being top of the list.
Sea dart wasn’t removed because of smoke on the deck. It was removed to extend the flight deck and ammunition spaces below, so we could carry more aircraft and weapons which is the carriers best form of defence. The RN also trusts the billion pound destroyer to do its job, and the very large investment in sea ceptor and sea viper missiles, and the meteor on the F35. The carrier will never be on its own, certainly if it’s been sent to conflict. By the the time it’s sent on its first operational deployment (2021) it may well have 4 x phalanx fitted. Its also worth of note, that a RN phalanx hasnt been fired in anger after 30 years of service, not once, so it’s safe to assume the QE can make it to the East Coast of the USA for trials, and make it back in one piece.
Wholeheartedly agree with this. It is lunacy for the ship not to have its own protection. All other countries seem to do it but we for some reason do not follow suit. In an age where RN ship numbers are a joke it is ever more important.
Agree with keithdwat all the way on this. Theory of sufficient escorts or weaponry is quickly shown up in combat, often at high human cost.
its not phalanx, its an adequate missile system that’s need, not just scattergun metal
always has been, always will be.
Well that’s great, I hope it took out British ISIS brides wanting to come back to the UK.
Eighteen per aircraft makes it a formidable package!
Eighteen what? Can’t work out what this is a reply to.
Oh Brimstone hell I forgot after all the QE2 stuff what this story originated as.
Typhoon has 6 pylons and these come in sets of 3 per mount so 18 total missiles… Not Bad at all considering there are still 5 hardpoints spare for a solid air-air load out.
I though Nigel meant 18 Isis brides!
In other news, whats all your opinion on the UN decision for Diego Garcia?
UN decision which is?
Sorry, being lazy, just read up on it.
The UK did treat the people there appallingly to be fair.
Great to see Typhoon reaching maturity, but Brimstone is somewhat very expensive overkill for a small boat and HMG positions.
Isn’t it time to buy 2.75 inch guided rocket pods for Typhoon?
You have the integration expensive, but that would soon be paid back with saved Brimstones.
Typhoon needs a more proportional weapon for such targets, something between the gun and Brimstone.
now lets have an update on dragonfire please
I’m led to believe Goalkeeper is superior to Phalanx and there is a question mark over Phalanx actually doing the job, when Goalkeeper’s bigger calibre will stop anything.