Spanish Typhoon to display at Beja in 2024
The Spanish Air and Space Force Typhoon Solo Display Team is the latest performer to be confirmed for the upcoming Beja International Airshow 2024, which is set to be Portugal's biggest airshow. The event is scheduled to take place on June 1st and 2nd, 2024, at Air Base No. 11 (AB11) in Beja.
The Spanish Typhoon is a fighter aircraft that is widely known for its impressive power, speed, and agility. Piloted by highly skilled and experienced pilots, the aircraft will perform a series of breathtaking manoeuvres that are sure to leave the audience in awe.
Captain Juan Bengoechea Vara of the Spanish Air Force's 142 Squadron of Ala (Wing) 14, which is based at Albacete, is set to give a thrilling demonstration of his fighter’s exceptional power and manoeuvrability. The 142 Squadron is a proud member of the NATO Tiger Association, an association of squadrons with a tiger or big cat in their squadron crests. These squadrons meet annually to exchange experiences and practice complex missions, with the aim of enhancing their combat readiness.
Spanish Typhoon at NATO Days in 2023
The Typhoon is a crucial component of NATO, serving both for air defence and ground attack. Spanish Typhoons have already carried out a long list of operational missions within NATO, such as Baltic Air Policing and the defence of Bulgarian airspace in spring 2022. The Typhoons are the result of an international partnership between Germany, Italy, Spain, and Britain, which combined the expertise of these four nations in the field of aviation.
Advanced avionics and a complex fly-by-wire flight control system will enable Captain Bengoechea Vara de Rey to execute a breathtaking show, showcasing the full potential of his fighter aircraft. The Typhoon is equipped with two powerful Eurojet turbofans, whose roaring afterburners will make the ground vibrate beneath your feet as Captain Bengoechea Vara de Rey takes to the skies. The dynamic display will be a testament to the exceptional skill and bravery of the Spanish Air Force, as well as the cutting-edge technology of the Typhoon aircraft.
But the Spanish Typhoon is not the only attraction at the Beja International Airshow. The event will also feature a number of other military performers, including the Patrouille Suisse, the aerobatic display team of the Swiss Air Force, and the Gripen solo display of the Hungarian Air Force. Additionally, the Couteau Delta tactical demonstration team of the French Air and Space Force and the Patrula Aguila, the aerobatic display team of the Spanish Air and Space Force, will also be performing in the event.
The Beja International Airshow 2024 promises to be the best one yet, featuring incredible aerobatic displays, military aircraft flybys, and demonstrations of advanced aviation technologies. So, mark your calendars for June 1st and 2nd, 2024, and head to Beja to witness the best aviation has to offer.
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a state-of-the-art multirole fighter aircraft that is manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. It is a twin-engine, supersonic, canard delta wing aircraft that was originally designed for air-superiority missions. The project is managed by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, and the primary customers are the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The aircraft's development can be traced back to 1983 when the Future European Fighter Aircraft programme was initiated as a multinational collaboration among the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The aim was to develop a new aircraft that would be more advanced than the Panavia Tornado combat aircraft, which the three countries had jointly developed and deployed. However, disagreements over design authority and operational requirements led France to leave the consortium and develop the Dassault Rafale independently.
The British Aerospace EAP technology demonstration aircraft first flew on 6 August 1986, while the Eurofighter prototype made its maiden flight on 27 March 1994. The aircraft's name, Typhoon, was adopted in September 1998, and the first production contracts were signed the same year.
The development of the Typhoon was protracted due to the sudden end of the Cold War, which reduced European demand for fighter aircraft. This led to debate over the aircraft's cost and work share. Nonetheless, the Typhoon entered operational service in 2003 and is currently in use with the air forces of Austria, Germany, Italy, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Kuwait and Qatar have also ordered the aircraft, bringing the total number of aircraft ordered to 623 as of 2019.
The Typhoon is an agile aircraft that is designed to be highly effective in combat, especially in dogfighting. Later production models have been equipped with increasingly advanced technology that enables them to undertake air-to-surface strike missions and be compatible with a wide range of armaments and equipment. For instance, Storm Shadow, Brimstone, and Marte ER missiles can be deployed from the Typhoon.
The aircraft's combat debut was during the 2011 military intervention in Libya, where it performed aerial reconnaissance and ground-strike missions. Additionally, for the majority of customer nations, the Typhoon has taken on the primary responsibility for air-defence duties. The aircraft's advanced technology and versatility make it a valuable asset to militaries around the world.
