Eurofighter Typhoon IPA2

IPA2 is a two-seater built by Alenia that first flew on 5 April 2002 with Maurizio Cheli at the controls. It was assigned to air-to-ground weapons and sensor fusion trials, and in 2003 it was used to test tactical air navigation. On 19 November 2004 it made the first night air-to-air refuelling, and GBU-16 trials followed in 2005. On 14 September 2007 it made the first flight with the Tranche 2 EJ200 Mk 101 engines, exploring supersonic flight and manoeuvring; initially only the right-hand engine was replaced, and from December both were, in order to study compatibility between powerplants. In November 2008 it carried out air-to-air refuelling trials with a KC-130J Hercules, including night hook-ups. From late 2008 it supported Paveway IV testing, and from late 2012 it was dedicated to software validation. Storm Shadow cruise missile trials began at the end of 2013.