Paris Airshow: Typhoon pilots talk of Libyan experience.

The UK Typhoons operating from the Gioia del Colle air base in Italy have been involved in NATO’s operation Unified Protector campaign for the last three months.

The aircraft were initially used in policing the no fly zone, but more recently have been operating with four Raytheon Enhanced Paveway II GPS/laser-guided bombs a Rafael Litening III targeting pod, and air-to-air missiles.

Speaking at a briefing in Paris today Squadron Leader Rupert Joel said the aircraft had performed well and had average 84 hours flying a month. An average mission was said to last five and a half hours including the hour’s transit from Italy to the Libyan coast.