Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters deployed to the United States for two months of exercises and training, announced the British air arm on Wednesday. This deployment will include the British fighters’ debut next month at a Red Flag aerial combat training exercise at Nellis AFB, Nev., states the RAF’s Jan. 23 release. The Typhoons will initially spend several weeks developing tactics with F-22s at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., at Exercise Western Zephyr, reported the Bermuda Sun. “It is a big opportunity to test the capability of the aircraft and the pilots against the very best and develop tactics,” said Wing Cdr. Richard Wells, leader of 11 Squadron, according to the newspaper’s Jan. 23 report. The squadron’s Typhoons are on this deployment, the unit is based at RAF Coningsby. The Typhoons will then fly to Nellis for Red Flag 13-3, according to the RAF release. “This has been over six months in the planning and is the first time the RAF has deployed Typhoon to such a prestigious exercise,” said Squadron Leader Andy Chisholm, 11 Squadron’s executive officer.
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.