No. XVII (Reserve) Squadron (17 Sqn) of the Royal Air Force is the first UK squadron to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon and is the Operational Evaluation Unit for the type.

While now officially in RAF service the aircraft are based at BAE Systems' Warton airfield where a special facility has been constructed. The Squadron and No. 29 Squadron are to move to RAF Coningsby in 2005, with an initial operational capability to be established in 2006/2007 by No. 3 Squadron.

In recent history the squadron has played a major part in the RAF forces in Germany operating Canberras, Phantoms, Jaguars and the Tornado. The squadron temporarily disbanded in 2002.

Typhoon squadrons

Operational

• No. XVII Squadron (Operational Evaluation Unit) - BAE Warton
• No. 29 Squadron (Operation Conversion Unit) - BAE Warton

Future

• No. 3 Squadron RAF - Current Harrier GR7 squadron - Reforming at RAF Coningsby (Tranche 1)
• No. 11 Squadron RAF - Current Tornado F3 squadron - Reforming at RAF Leeming (Tranche 1)
• No. 6 Squadron RAF - Current Jaguar GR3 squadron - Reforming at RAF Leuchars (Tranche 2)

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

External links

• RAF (http://www.raf.mod.uk)
• Eurofighter (http://www.eurofighter.com/)