Eurofighter Typhoon Multi-Role Combat Fighter, Europe

The four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon is a foreplane delta-wing, beyond-visual-range, close air fighter aircraft with surface attack capability. Eurofighter has 'supercruise' capability: it can fly at sustained speeds of over Mach 1 without the use of afterburner.

Development of the aircraft has been carried out by Eurofighter GmbH, based in Munich and wholly owned by BAE Systems of the UK, Alenia Aeronautica of Italy and the EADS Deutschland (formerly DaimlerChrysler) and EADS Spain (formerly CASA).

In January 2003, Norway signed an agreement for industrial participation in the project, but has not committed to purchase of the fighter.

The EJ200 engine has been developed by Eurojet GmbH, in Munich which is owned by Rolls-Royce, MTU Aero Engines, Fiat Aviazione and ITP.

EUROFIGHTER PRODUCTION

An overall production contract for 620 aircraft was signed in January 1998 with 232 for UK, 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy and 87 for Spain.

Initial orders have been placed for 148 aircraft - Germany (44), Italy (29), Spain (20) and UK (55). Prime customer is the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), representing the four governments.

Series production of the aircraft is underway at EADS Military Aircraft (Germany), BAE Systems, Alenia Aeronautica and EADS CASA (Spain). The first four series production aircraft for the four participating nations took maiden flights in February 2003 and the Eurofighter Typhoon received type acceptance on 30 June 2003.

First series production twin-seat aircraft were delivered to the German Air Force in August 2003, to the Spanish Air Force in September 2003, to the UK Royal Air Force in December 2003 and to the Italian Air Force in February 2004. First single-seat batch 2 aircraft were delivered to the four participating nations in early 2005. Deliveries of all tranche 1 aircraft to the four partner nations concluded in March 2008.

The first operational deployment of Typhoon aircraft was with the Italian Air Force in February 2006, providing air surveillance for the Turin Winter Olympics. The The first operational squadron of Typhoon aircraft in the UK RAF was formed in March 2006 at RAF Cottesmore, later transferred to RAF Coningsby. The squadron began operational duties in July 2007 and, in August 2007, two UK RAF Typhoon aircraft were scrambled to intercept a Russian Air Force Tu-95 strategic bomber over the North Atlantic.

The UK RAF and the Italian RAF received the first Tranche 1 block 5 multi-role Typhoons, with air-to-ground capability in August 2007. The multi-role Typhoon will be operational in late 2008.

TRANCHE 2 PRODUCTION

The four participating nations signed the contract for Tranche 2 production in December 2004. Tranche 2 comprises 251 aircraft – Germany 75, Italy 48, Spain 35 and UK 93, increased from 236 as 15 tranche 1 aircraft are designated for Austria. First flight of the tranche 2 aircraft was in January 2008. Tranche 2 deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2008, with final deliveries scheduled for 2015.

The contract for Tranche 2 Phase 1 Enhancement (P1E) was placed in March 2007. This includes the integration of Raytheon Paveway IV 500lb and Enhanced Paveway EGBU-16 1,000lb guided bombs and a new laser designator pod.

Greece also selected the Eurofighter but a change of government led to a cancellation of the procurement of 60 aircraft. Austria signed a contract for 18 Eurofighter aircraft in August 2003.The order was reduced to 15 aircraft in June 2007. The first was delivered in 2007 and deliveries are scheduled to conclude in 2009.

In December 2005, it was announced that the Eurofighter Typhoon has been selected by Saudi Arabia. In September 2007, the government of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence was signed for the purchase of 72 aircraft, under a defence cooperation programme called Project Salaam. 24 aircraft will be Tranche 2 Typhoons previously destined for the UK RAF. The first of these will be delivered in 2008. The remaining 48 aircraft will be assembled in Saudi Arabia and delivered from 2011.

In July 2006, a contract was signed for the software integration of the Lightening targeting pod and Enhanced Paveway II bombs for RAF Typhoons, for operational capability in 2008.

DESIGN

The aircraft is constructed of carbon fibre composites, glass-reinforced plastic, aluminium lithium, titanium and aluminium casting. Stealth technology features include low frontal radar cross-section, passive sensors and supercruise ability.

The foreplane / delta configuration is intentionally aerodynamically unstable which provides a high level of agility (particularly at supersonic speeds), low drag and enhanced lift. The pilot controls the aircraft through a computerised digital fly-by-wire system which provides artificial stabilisation and gust elevation to give good control characteristics throughout the flight envelope.

COCKPIT

The pilot's control system is a Voice-Throttle-and-Stick system (VTAS). The stick and throttle tops house 24 fingertip controls for sensor and weapon control, defence aids management, and inflight handling. The direct voice input allows the pilot to carry out mode selection and data entry procedures using voice command.

The quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system has an Automatic Low Speed Recovery System (ALSR) which provides the pilot with visual and audio low speed warning and will, if necessary, automatically take control of the aircraft and return to safe flight.

The BAE Systems Striker Helmet Mounted Symbology System (HMS) and head up display show the flight reference data, weapon aiming and cueing, and the FLIR imagery. BAE Systems TERPROM ground proximity warning system is being fitted.

The cockpit has three multi-function colour Head-Down Displays (MHDD) which show the tactical situation, systems status and EADS digital map displays. An international consortium EuroMIDS, which includes Data Link Solutions of the US, supplies the MIDS low volume terminal provides Link 16 capability for secure transfer of data.

Raytheon Systems Ltd is supplying anti-jam global positioning systems (GPS) for Tranche 2.

WEAPONS

The internally-mounted Mauser BK27mm gun is a revolver gun system with a linkless-closed ammunition feed system. The Eurofighter Typhoon has 13 hard points for weapon carriage, four under each wing and five under the fuselage. An Armament Control System (ACS) manages weapons selection and firing and monitors weapon status.

Depending on role, the fighter can carry the following mix of missiles:

• Air-superiority - six BVRAAM (Beyond Visual Range)/AMRAAM air-to-air missiles on semi-recessed fuselage stations and two ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles on the outer pylons
• Air interdiction - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, two cruise missiles and two Anti-Radar Missiles (ARM)
• SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, six anti-radar missiles
• Multi-role - three AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, two ARM and two GBU-24 Paveway III/IV
• Close air support - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, 18 Brimstone anti-armour missiles
• Maritime attack - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, six anti-ship missiles

The UK RAF has selected MBDA Meteor for the BVRAAM requirement and Raytheon AMRAAM until Meteor enters service. Meteor uses a new air-breathing ramjet motor for increased range and manoeuvrability. AMRAAM will be fitted from 2002 and Meteor around 2013.

German, Italian and Spanish Eurofighters will carry the imaging infrared IRIS-T air-to-air missile being developed by Diehl BGT Defence of Germany. Deliveries began in December 2005. German and Spanish aircraft will also be armed with the Taurus KEPD 350 standoff missile from EADS/LFK and Saab Bofors Dynamics, which has a range over 350km.

UK RAF Eurofighters will carry the MBDA Storm Shadow / Scalp EG stand-off cruise missile, which entered operational service on Tornado aircraft in March 2003, and the MBDA Brimstone anti-armour missile, which entered service with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on the RAF Tornado GR.Mk4 aircraft in March 2005. Italian aircraft will also be armed with Storm Shadow.

COUNTERMEASURES

The aircraft's Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) is accommodated within the aircraft structure and integrated with the avionics system.

DASS has been developed by the EuroDASS consortium - Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems (formerly BAE Systems Avionics) of the UK (prime contractor), Elettronica of Italy and Indra of Spain. The consortium was rejoined in October 2001 by EADS, after the German Federal Ministry of Defence contracted to re-enter the programmme.

DASS provides an all-round prioritised assessment of threats with fully automatic response to single or multiple threats.

DASS includes an Electronic Countermeasures / Support Measures system (ECM/ESM), front and rear missile approach warners, supersonically capable towed decoy systems, laser warning receivers and SaabTech Electronics BOL chaff and flare dispensing system. The avionics system is based on a NATO standard databus with fibre optic highways.

SENSORS

The aircraft is equipped with a CAPTOR (ECR 90) multi-mode X-band pulse Doppler radar, developed by the Euroradar consortium. The multi-mode radar has three processing channels. The third channel is used for jammer classification, interference blanking and sidelobe nulling. Euroradar is led by Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems, with Indra of Spain, FIAR of Italy and EADS Defence Electronics of Germany.

In May 2007, an Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) version of CAPTOR, developed by Euroradar, was successfully test-flown on a Eurofighter. The radar is called CAESAR (CAPTOR AESA).

The PIRATE (Passive Infra-Red Airborne Track Equipment) is mounted on the port side of the fuselage, forward of the windscreen. PIRATE has been developed by the EUROFIRST consortium which comprises Galileo Avionica (FIAR) of Italy (lead contractor), Thales Optronics of the UK (system technical authority) and Tecnobit of Spain.

PIRATE operates in both 3-5 and 8-11 micron spectral bands. When used with the radar in an air-to-air role, it functions as an Infrared Search and Track system (IRST), providing passive target detection and tracking.

In an air-to-surface role, it performs multiple target acquisition and identification, as well as providing a navigation and landing aid. PIRATE provides a steerable image to the pilot's helmet-mounted display.

In September 2005, Ultra Electronics was contracted to supply the Rafael Litening EF laser targeting pod for UK RAF Typhoons. German AF aircraft are also being equipped with the Litening pod.

ENGINE

The Eurofighter is equipped with two Eurojet EJ200 engines, each delivering thrust of 90kN in full reheat and 60kN in dry power mode. Single-stage turbines drive the three-stage fan and five-stage HP compressor.

The engine features: digital control; wide chord aerofoils and single crystal turbine blades; a convergent /divergent exhaust nozzle; and integrated health monitoring.

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