EUROFIGHTER, currently being built and developed at BAE Systems, Warton, has just passed three major milestones in the flight test programme.

Eurofighter DA7, one of the Italian-based development aircraft, has successfully undertaken the launch of three of the missiles the plane will carry when it enters service with the RAF and other European air forces.

The weapons are the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), Air Intercept Missile (AI pi ) and Advanced Short-Range Air-To-Air Missile (ASRAAM) which were launched during trials at the Decimomannu Range in Southern Sardinia.

Following the missile launch test, DA7 will undertake further trials with AMRAAM to clear safe separation of the missile from the aircraft in a range of attitudes and conditions.

Ross Bradley, Eurofighter managing director, said: "This is an important milestone in the Eurofighter development programme. Post-flight aircraft inspections following the missile test series, and initial trajectory analysis, have confirmed clean ejection/rail launch for the weapons. Chase aircraft also reported smooth separation, ignition and fly away of the missiles."

Eurofighter DA7 is now performing daily flight displays at the Paris Air Show until June 24.