With mass and resilience key lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine, the RAF is considering a service life extension for its Eurofighter Typhoons. (Crown Copyright)

The United Kingdom is considering a service life extension of its fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft to retain its combat mass, Janes and other defence media were told on 14 May.

Speaking at the site of BAE Systems' Warton production facility in northern England, Mike Baulkwill, combat air strategy director at the company, said that, with the international Eurofighter operator base set to fly the type for decades to come, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was looking at putting back the retirement date of its aircraft as it looks to maintain combat aircraft numbers.

“[The wider operator base] will be flying the Eurofighter out into the 2060s. The RAF is now considering an extension itself, and rightly so because it needs mass,” he said. Baulkwill provided no details as to the numbers or tranche standard of the aircraft to potentially be retained.

The GHTP lifts off from Jagel for its maiden flight in German airspace. (IAI)

The Luftwaffe has flown the first of its leased Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) on its maiden flight in German airspace on 15 May.

Announced by the Bundeswehr, Airbus Defence and Space as the lead contractor for the programme, and IAI, the milestone saw the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operating out of its future home station of Jagel (also known as Schleswig Air Base) in the far north of Germany.

Known as the German Heron TP (GHTP), the UAS was awarded a type certificate by the German Military Aviation Authority in late 2022, at which time it was operated out of an undisclosed location in Israel.

The GHTP is intended to bridge the gap between the retirement of the earlier Heron 1 UAS and the introduction of the new European MALE UAS known as Eurodrone, with Airbus Defence and Space operating five air vehicles out to 2027.

A Brazilian Air Force P-3AM Orion. Three aircraft are to be upgraded with new wings. (Airbus Military SAS)

The first re-winged Brazilian Air Force Lockheed P-3AM Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) flew on 2 May, the service announced on 13 May, a major step towards improving the P-3AM fleet's readiness rate.

Elements of the wing that were replaced during the rebuild include the top coverings, front and rear spars, and the upper panels of the central wing and fuselage structures.

Brazilian manufacturer Akaer has delivered two additional sets of wings to the Brazilian Air Force, which are being installed in another two aircraft at the Galeão Aeronautical Material Park. The project is scheduled to conclude in October 2024, Akaer said in an announcement. Whether or not Brazil intends to upgrade the P-3AM fleet beyond the three deliveries has not been publicly disclosed.

On 25 October 2018 Akaer was awarded a contract to rebuild the main wings of three Orion MPAs, the company said.