Hawk trainer The TFDC's largest running project was the operational evaluation of the
BAe Hawk Mk.120 and certification of its
Adour 951 turbofan engine. Weapons integration was also performed, with the SAAF's series of pre-fragmented bombs. The programme is now largely complete, with one Hawk airframe remaining on strength with TFDC, for further tests. Hawk has entered SAAF service as of 2006.
Taurus missile In 2001 and 2002 it assisted the
German Air Force in the testing of the
Taurus stand-off missile, for which two
Panavia Tornado aircraft deployed a number of times to
AFB Overberg from
Germany with the help of a SAAF
Boeing 707 aerial tanker. In 2009 the Spanish Air Force performed integration tests of the Taurus missile on their F-18 Hornet fighters at TFDC.
Gripen The TFDC received the SAAF's first
JAS 39 Gripen in 2006. The aircraft is flown through an extensive test programme, integrating weapons and SAAF specific avionics etc. During November 2007, the Gripen was shown publicly taking off loaded with eight 'dumb' bombs during weapons integration trials.
Luftwaffe Kormoran Anti Ship missile firings During 2006 the German Air Force deployed six
Panavia Tornado aircraft to TFDC for live
Kormoran anti ship missile firings with a
German Navy task group in joint exercises with
South African forces. ==References==