By Smartenylopedia News Staff
Residents of Darlington may have noticed the thunderous sound of fighter jets soaring overhead this week. The noise came from RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducting night flying exercises, part of routine training for military operations and air crew readiness.
The Typhoon jets, taking off from RAF Coningsby near Lincoln, are agile, twin-engine aircraft capable of speeds up to 1,381mph—nearly twice the speed of sound. Equipped with air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and air-to-ground projectiles, the Typhoon FGR4 is a vital asset in the Royal Air Force’s arsenal.
Supporting these jets are Voyager aircraft, which provide in-flight refueling to extend the Typhoons’ operational range during missions. The training this week is part of regular RAF operations to ensure the preparedness of their forces for both domestic and international missions.
Night flying exercises are scheduled to continue from November 4, though the exact flight paths remain undisclosed. These drills are held several times a year, with the current session running from September 30 onward, according to the RAF.
For residents disturbed by the noise, the exercises are a necessary part of the RAF’s training to ensure the operational readiness of the UK’s defense forces.