RAF pilots in Typhoons in pursuit and US pilots in combat

RAF pilots in 1,320mph Typhoons in pursuit and US pilots in combat   With a top speed of 1,320mph and a powerful 27mm Mauser cannon on board, the Eurofighter Typhoon can certainly pack a punch. And this astonishing set of previously-unseen photographs documents life inside for RAF pilots inside the cockpit of the plane, which has a maximum altitude of 65,000ft. The set shows three Typhoons flying over the Falkland Islands, pilots training over airspace and performing in display formations. There is also a cross-section of the aircraft - which has a length of 52ft and width of 36ft - and another photograph showing pre-flight checks. Also seen is the futuristic BAE Striker helmet, which enables the pilot to cue the Typhoon's sensors and weapons onto enemy aircraft simply by looking at it. The images were released as part of a set featured in the RAF Typhoon Owner's Workshop Manual by Antony Loveless, which is out today. In sun: RAF Typhoon aircraft wait for their next sortie from Gioia Dell Colle in Italy during Operation Ellamy, the UK contribution to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya Prepared: A Typhoon pilot is seen (left) through the green light of his head-up-display as he taxis in southern Italy. Another aircraft goes through pre-flight checks (right)     Up in the air: Typhoon aircraft from 3 Squadron RAF Coningsby depart on Exercise Taurus Mountain - a Quick Reaction Alert Training sortie over UK airspace     Inside: A pilot's view from the cockpit of a Royal Air Force Typhoon multi-role fighter jet (left) and this extraordinary photograph of the head-up display (right) are seen. Focus: A 11 Squadron RAF Coningsby Typhoon is pictured, in a photograph from the RAF Annual Review. It has a top speed of 1,320mph and a 27mm Mauser cannon Soaring: RAF 29 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon at the 2009 event of RIAT - the Royal International Air Tattoo - flown by Sqn Ldr Scott Loughran from RAF Coningsby Above the clouds: Typhoon aircraft from 3 Squadron RAF Coningsby on Exercise Taurus Mountain - a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Training sortie over UK airspace In formation: Three Typhoons of 1435 Flight over the Falkland Islands. The astonishing set of photographs documents the extraordinary aircraft from inside and outside   Enlarge Gear: The futuristic BAE Striker helmet (left) enables the pilot to cue the Typhoon's sensors and weapons onto enemy aircraft simply by looking at it. Also pictured (right) is a step-by-step montage of a pilot getting into his flying suit Missiles: RAF No 11 Squadron Typhoon at Green Flag, U.S. The Typhoon is loaded with enhanced Paveway 2 bombs (pictured), Litening III designator pods and drop tanks Looking up: Flt Lt Adam Crickmore poses inside a Typhoon at RAF Conningsby. The aircraft has a maximum altitude of 65,000ft Behind the scenes: A Typhoon FGR4 on display in a hardened aircraft shelter with its weapons. The plane has a top speed of 1,320mph Enlarge Cross-section: This detailed diagram shows the inner workings of the Typhoon aircraft - which is being profiled in a new users' manual     Book: The images were released as part of a set featured in the RAF Typhoon Owner's Workshop Manual by Antony Loveless, which is out today   The use of air power has changed markedly during the long Afghan conflict, reflecting the political costs and sensitivities of civilian casualties caused by errant or indiscriminate strikes and the increasing use of aerial drones, which can watch over potential targets for extended periods with no risk to pilots or more expensive aircraft. Fighter jets with pilots, however, remain an essential component of the war, in part because little else in the allied arsenal is considered as versatile or imposing, and because of improvements in the aircraft’s sensors. 1 Cmdr. Layne McDowell, who was recently in an F/A-18 mission, aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 10, 2012. The use of air power has changed markedly during the long Afghan conflict, reflecting the political price the U.S. and NATO allies paid because of heavy civilian casualties in traditional aerial bombings. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # 2 Military personnel gather during a mass brief for pilots and weapons systems officers on the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 12, 2012. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # 3 Aviation ordnancemen assemble 500-pound training bombs in the bomb assembly magazine of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 11, 2012. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # 4 Sailors on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the North Arabian Sea. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # 5 An aviation ordnanceman marks a fighter jet as armed and reloaded on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # 6 An aviation ordnanceman on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 11, 2012. The use of air power has changed markedly during the long Afghan conflict, reflecting the political price the U.S. and NATO allies paid because of heavy civilian casualties in traditional aerial bombings. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # 7 Sailors direct aircraft on the flight deck of the carrier USS John C. Stennis in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 9, 2012. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # Inside anti-submarine warfare module of the combat direction center aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 12, 2012. The use of air power has changed markedly during the long Afghan conflict, reflecting the political price the U.S. and NATO allies paid because of heavy civilian casualties in traditional aerial bombings. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # Rear Adm. Craig Faller, left, and Capt. Dell Bull, right, prepare their jet aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis n the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 10, 2012. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # A sailor directs jets on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, in the North Arabian Sea. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # An F/A-18F flies over Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2012. The use of air power has changed markedly during the long Afghan conflict, reflecting the political price the U.S. and NATO allies paid because of heavy civilian casualties in traditional aerial bombings. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # A sailor directs aircraft on the flight deck of the carrier USS John C. Stennis, in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 11, 2012. The use of air power has changed markedly during the long Afghan conflict, reflecting the political price the U.S. and NATO allies paid because of heavy civilian casualties in traditional aerial bombings. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) # Senior officers gather to smoke cigars and socialize after fighter jets flew missions aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 12, 2012.

British jets in Cyprus scrambled to chase after Syrian planes that crossed into international airspace RAF fighters sent to intercept Syrian planes in Cypriot airspace The unidentified planes left after the launch Two Turkish F-16s also flew to support the British Typhoons Two RAF jets were scrambled from their base in Cyprus to urgently investigate Syrian planes that had crossed into international airspace, it has emerged. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that unidentified planes legally crossed into Cypriot skies from the east of the country last Monday. But it is understood the behaviour of the aircraft raised suspicions at RAF Akrotiri, less than 200 miles from Syria, prompting the rapid response. A pair of Typhoons were launched from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after two Syrian planes entered the nation's airspace. File pictures The MoD deployed six Typhoon jets at the base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, las month as a 'purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests' The aircraft retreated before any action was taken by the two RAF air-defence Typhoons. A pair of Turkish F-16s are also believed to have been launched in support of the investigation from their base in Incirlik, Turkey.   The Syrian planes are believed to have been Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24s, a heavily-armed fighter bomber that can reach Cyprus, 200 miles from Syria, in just 15 minutes. A spokesman for the MoD said: 'The MoD can confirm that Typhoon Air Defence Aircraft operated from RAF Akrotiri on Monday to investigate unidentified aircraft to the east of Cyprus; the aircraft were flying legally in international airspace and no intercept was required.' A military source told the Sunday People: 'Recent intelligence reports have warned of an attack on Akrotiri. 'The RAF Typhoons were launched after sensitive airborne early-warning radarpicked up the "contacts" floying low and fast.' Akrotiri is one of Britain's largest overseas bases and is home to more than 1,300 personnel. It was used in the air campaign against Gaddafi's Libya in 2011.It comes amid rising global tensions with Syria as the U.S. seeks to build support for military strikes against President Bashar Asssad's regime. The Syrian planes were believed to Russian-made Su-24s, a fighter bomber Number 10 indicated last week that Britain is not expecting its military bases such as RAF Akrotiri to be used by allies in any air strikes. RAF Akrotiri is used by the RAF as a base for overseas operations in the Middle East and also for training. A week ago, six RAF Typhoon jets were sent to Cyprus in what the MoD called a 'prudent and precautionary measure'. On its website, the MoD says Typhoon Jets provide the RAF with a 'multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, from air policing, to peace support, through to high-intensity conflict'.

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