Coningsby, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire was opened in 1940 as a bomber station during World War II. Today it is the UK's most southern Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon operating base. It is home to two front line combat ready squadrons - 3 and XI Squadron, two reserve squadrons. 29 OCU and 41 Test & Evaluation squadrons are also based at Coningsby. The later comprises both Typhoon and Tornado aircraft types. Coningsby also hosts the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - the guardians of the Royal Air Force’s heritage.
Typhoon arrived in May 2005 with No. 17 Squadron. In July 2007 the Typhoon became operational from the airfield and the UK. On 1 July 2008 the Typhoon was declared by the RAF as being combat ready.
The Eurojet EJ200 is a the military powerplant of the Eurofighter Typhoon. The engine is largely based on the Rolls-Royce XG-40 technology demonstrator which was developed in the 1980s. The EJ200 is built by the Eurojet Turbo GmbH consortium. The EJ200 is also used in the Bloodhound SSC supersonic land speed record attempting car.
The Typhoon FGR4 provides the RAF with a highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, including air policing, peace support and high intensity conflict.
41 (R) Test and Evaluation Squadron is responsible for the development of operational tactics and the evaluation and exploitation of weapons, avionics and software in preparation for their use by the front-line.
The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat, all-weather, day/night attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It has been in service with the RAF for more than 30 years, but a combination of major upgrade programmes and numerous continual enhancements has kept the aircraft amongst the forefront of all attack aircraft. Most recently a number of Tornado's have been deployed to carry out operations over Syrian skies.