Long time Langley and Dunsfold resident, PZ865, the last Hurricane built and donated to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight by HSA, will, after an imminent major service be given yet another spurious paint scheme. This time it will be all black, representing IIc night fighter BE634 ZY-V for the 2020 display season.
Once again, vis Tornado and Typhoon, BAE Systems has chosen a Hawker name for a new UK combat aircraft, the Tempest, whose development was announced last year. At Farnborough, Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson, said that £2bn would be invested in the development of Tempest up to 2020, and BAE Systems would lead development with Rolls-Royce contributing engines, MBDA integrating weapons and Leonardo developing sensors and avionics.
The plan is to finalise design in the early 2020s, produce a flyable prototype by 2025 and have the aircraft entering service by about 2035. By that time, Typhoons are likely to have many flying hours still in reserve and those in service will be phased out gradually over five to 10 years. In the meantime, many of the systems which will be developed for Tempest are likely to be first in service on upgraded Typhoons.