quote:

---

This week saw the first ever release of a Paveway IV from Typhoon, using the avionics system to safely release the weapon, in an hour long test flight over the Aberporth Range in Wales.

Paveway IV is a highly accurate, precision guided bomb capable of significantly minimising collateral damage. It is low cost and will provide Typhoon pilots with the very best technology for operations with its all-weather, day and night precision capability.

Typhoon Test Pilot Nat Makepeace, who was at the controls of the Typhoon development aircraft, said: “This was a successful test flight which demonstrated that the avionics system is able to use global positioning system (GPS) data and target information sourced from the aircraft to prepare for the release. All communication with the aircraft and safe release of the store went to plan.”

This testing is in addition to the environmental and jettison trials already performed on Alenia and our own development aircrafts in 2009 and 2010.

Paveway IV is expected to be offered to the UK customer early in 2012 when the RAF will start operational evaluation.

---

quote:

---

Test Pilot Nat Makepeace

---