Film Intero Minaccia Aerea - Caccia Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon Aeronautica Militare
Video from the channel Canale25 about Eurofighter Typhoon, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 7:45. Language: Italian. Video type: Documentary.
What it's about
An institutional film by the Aeronautica Militare about Italian air defence. It stages a full scramble: the order for immediate take-off, two Eurofighter Typhoons launching on alert, the interception of a suspect aircraft and its diversion to an airport for inspection on the ground.
Historical context
The narration presents air defence as a network of radar sensors watching the entire national airspace around the clock. It recalls that, as the 11 September 2001 attacks showed, the threat can take any form. Since December 2005 the system has included the Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon, in service with the 4th Stormo at Grosseto.
Key facts
According to the film, a scramble is ordered in response to anomalous situations: an unexpected deviation from the flight route, a prolonged loss of radio contact with air traffic control, the absence of diplomatic clearance to cross the territory, or a bomb threat or report of a hijacker on board. Guided by air-defence controllers, the two fighters reach the aircraft within minutes and radio its type, colour, heading, altitude, speed, nationality and registration. With that information, the COFA at Poggio Renatico decides how to proceed. If an inspection is needed, the aircraft, called a "zombie" in the jargon, lands and taxis to an isolated area guarded by the military. There, carabinieri officers question the captain and first officer, canine units search the cabin and bomb-disposal technicians examine suspicious packages with a robot. Afterwards the aircraft continues its journey and the Typhoons return to Grosseto.