Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft paid a visit to Filton today, in order to give staff a glimpse of the company's latest contribution.

The two aircraft landed in tandem before returning to the skies some time later. The event was watched by about a thousand Airbus and BAe staff.

BAE Systems says it expects to sign a deal on the second tranche of Eurofighter fighter jets by the end of the year, according to Reuters. "We are confident that we will get a tranche two contract by the end of the year," a spokesman said on Sunday.

The long-awaited second tranche of orders for the aircraft is worth an estimated 13 billion euros and involves fighters for the air forces of Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain.