Typhoons of XI Squadron recently deployed to North America for a heavy weapons detachment and to participate in a large close air support exercise. These two FGR4s are carrying Paveway II bombs, while visible on the centreline station of the aircraft peeling away from the camera is a Litening III laser designator pod. This enables a Typhoon to self-designate its own LGBs and 'spike' targets for other aircraft. It is also useful for identifying targets and in Wg Cdr Parker's view has great potential as an NTISR asset.

An XI Squadron Typhoon FGR4 drops a Paveway II during the North American deployment. The Typhoon is proving to be a very accurate bomber and will be declared multi-role capable on July 1, 2008.

A Typhoon FGR4 of XI Squadron undergoes final checks prior to departing for a sortie over the Barry M Goldwater Range with an LGB.

A pair of XI Squadron Typhoons over the Barry M Goldwater Range. One of the reasons this facility was selected by the RAF is the variety of targets that it offers, as illustrated here.

As well as smart bombs, inert 1,000lb free-fall bombs were dropped during Torpedo Focus. Typhoon FGR4, ZJ935/DJ, is pictured departing Davis-Monthan AFB carrying two of these weapons.

Groundcrew from XI Squadron load a 1,000lb practice Paveway II LGB at Davis-Monthan AFB during Torpedo Focus in readiness for the next sortie.

Wg Cdr Gav Parker is the Officer Commanding of XI Squadron, which is the RAF’s lead multi-role Typhoon squadron. He said the type is proving to be "an excellent ground attack aircraft."

Three pilots and this Typhoon T3 from 17(R)Squadron worked alongside XI Squadron at Davis-Monthan and Nellis AFBs to pass on the knowledge and experience they had gleaned from the Typhoon trials that had been taking place at NAWS China Lake.