Added to that has the Tornado actually used its guns during any of the current conflicts that it is used in and if so was it of any use.
Added:
One of most striking features of the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) is its internal cannon. It is equipped with a single Mauser GmbH developed BK-27 cannon mounted internally in the fuselage forward of the starboard wing. It utilizes 27mm high explosive shells with a maximum firing rate of some 1700 rounds a minute; each aircraft will likely carry approximately 150 rounds.
The weapon apparently looks weaker than the 20mm M-61 cannon with a rate of 6000 rounds a minute. But in a fast dogfight, the Mauser will pour 4 kg of ammo in 0.5 seconds while M-62 would have poured only 2 kg. By the time M-61 reaches full firing rate, the target may be moved considerably. This is particularly if the pilot wishes to take snap-shots.
Due to cannon's ability to engage moving targets swiftly and with accuracy, the system was fitted with an automatic firing mode. When the radar solution shows that the target is passing through the line-of-fire of the cannon, it will fire a burst of 27mm and this can be quite helpful in maneuvering fights.
The primary BVR weapon of the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) will be the MBDA Meteor rocket-ramjet powered BVRAAM with range well over 100 kms. The missile will be guided using a mix of mid-course correction using data-link, inertial guidance and active radar in terminal stage.
The primary close-combat weapon of the Typhoon will be the AIM-132 ASRAAM 4th generation AAM. The missile has the capability to engage targets that are high off-boresight. When used with the HMS, it forms a formidable weapon system.
Other air-air weapons include AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Skyflash, Aspide and IRIS-T.
In air-ground mode, the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) employs the most modern line of precision guided bombs and standoff missiles. Its arsenal includes Storm Shadow and Taurus standoff missiles, Harpoon and Penguin AShMs, ALARM and HARM ARMs, Brimstone anti-vehicle missile, JDAM and LGBs, BL-755 and DWS-39.
Last edited by Exrigger; 26th Feb 2007 at 20:03.
Reason: Added some info that might be of interest