issue 1 - 2006 eurofighter review

Performance is Key
Programme Advances
Through 2006
N DA1
Lands for the Last Time
N 2005
Programme Review
N Eurofighter Typhoon
Moves to the
Front Line
Eurofighter Typhoon Enters Final Stages of Flight Test
In February, the Eurofighter Flight Test
Team put Instrumented Production Aircraft
Three (IPA3) through several underwing
heavy load tests, with four Paveway II
bombs, three external fuel tanks, and a
complement of air-to-air missiles.
These tests come as Eurofighter Typhoon
opens the final chapter of the Main Develop-
ment Contract. The testing of the air-to-air
carefree handling Flight Control Software
(FCS) is almost finished, while the
remaining clearances for the Phase 4 FCS
will be finalised over the Summer. The final
stage of testing will be the validation of the
Phase 5 air-to-ground FCS. The software,
written by a Joint Team headed by EADS
Military Air Systems in Germany, will
undergo rigorous testing in all four Partner
Nations and will involve six aircraft from
the Flight Test fleet.
On conclusion, the final clearances for
the Full Operational Capability will be ex-
pected in 2007, followed by the availability
of the Phase 5 software to Block 5 aircraft.
The first Block 5 Eurofighter Typhoon is
already in final assembly in Germany, with
deliveries of this standard of aircraft to
begin in early 2007.
Eurofighter Typhoon IPA3 in under wing load tests as
aircraft development enters the final stages
p r o g r a m m e n e w s a n d f e a t u r e s
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Following the commencement of operations
in its Air Surveillance role with the Italian
Air Force on 16 December 2005, the
Eurofighter Typhoon new generation combat
aircraft was tasked with providing airspace
air defence coverage above Turin throughout
the duration of the Winter Olympic Games.
Already in operation as part of the Italian
integrated air defence system from the main
base of Grosseto, 4 Stormo of the Aeronau-
tica Militare became the first Air Force in
the world to operate the Eurofighter Typhoon
aircraft in a real operational scenario.
The Eurofighter Typhoon was deployed
over Turin together with an Italian Air
Force F-16 as well as MB-339CD and HH-3F
helicopters.
The air defence structure, in which
Eurofighter Typhoon has an integral role,
has already been tested during events such
as the Genoa G8 summit, Pratica di Mare
NATO-Russia summit, the burial ceremony
for Pope John Paul II and the coming into
seat of Pope Benedictus XVI.
Dear Friends of Eurofighter Typhoon,
Welcome to Eurofighter Review the new
quarterly publication from Eurofighter. With so
much happening in and around the programme,
we took the decision of increasing our commu-
nication across the Eurofighter Typhoon
community with a platform dedicated to this
formidable aircraft.
Our programme is advancing very successfully
with a significant amount of good news emanat-
ing from our Partners and Stakeholders. The
deliveries to the Customer are progressing and
more units within our Partner Air Forces are to
be equipped with Eurofighter Typhoon during
the course of the year. Indeed, the Italian Air
Force emphasised customer confidence in the
aircraft by placing Eurofighter Typhoon on the
front line, assigned to protecting the airspace
over the Turin Winter Olympic Games.
Additionally, discussions are underway for the
future capabilities to be integrated into the
weapon system.
With the finishing line in sight, the Flight Test
team has entered the final straight, in terms of
development activities, for the Final Operational
Capabilities outlined in the Main Development
Contract. Testing is underway across the four-
Nation project teams.
The launch of the new magazine heralds a new
opportunity for programme-wide two-way
communication. While I invite you to enjoy
reading the Eurofighter Review magazine,
I would also encourage you to provide us with
your feedback and opinions.
Inputs are welcome and we would invite
everybody to make comments and suggestions
for new topics that would attract the interest
of the readership.
Yours sincerely
Aloysius Rauen
Aloysius Rauen
CEO Eurofighter GmbH
Air Dominance
Eurofighter Typhoon protects the 2006
Winter Olympics
Eurofighter Typhoons
of 4 Stormo - Olympic
Guardians for 2006
03 editorial
Welcome note from Aloysius Rauen, Chief Executive Officer
04 News
Latest developments
06 Performance is Key
Eurofighter Typhoon Programme advances through 2006
08 Final Flight of the Number One
DA1 lands for the last time
10 2005 Programme Review
The highs and highs during a key year for Eurofighter Typhoon
16 Export Update
Report on Campaign progress
18 Supplier
INDRA
20 EJ200 Programme Update
The power behind Eurofighter Typhoon
22 Armed and Dangerous
Eurofighter Typhoon moves to the front line
Eurofighter Review is published by
Eurofighter GmbH, Communications/PR
Am Sldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos
Tel: +49 (0) 811-80 1587
Editorial representative
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler
VP Communications/PR
Editor
Phillip Lee
Photography
Eurofighter GmbH, Eurofighter Partner Companies,
Geoffrey Lee, Planefocus
Design & Production
images.art.design.
Andreas Westphal
www.iad-design.de
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If you would like to request additional copies of
Eurofighter Review, please contact the Communications
& PR department at Eurofighter GmbH
04
Eurofighter
Typhoons
Royal Visitor
10
2005 Review,
a year in
the programme
Contents
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In February flight trials, Eurofighter
Typhoon Instrumented Production
Aircraft Three (IPA3) took off from
Manching carrying four Paveway II,
three external fuel tanks, and an
air-to-air fit of four AMRAAM and two
IRIS-T missiles. Take-off weight for
this configuration is almost 24
metric tons.
make us the envy of all the worlds Air
Forces. Our Spanish friends have already
signed the procurement contract for Taurus.
Our common objective is the planned inte-
gration of Taurus with Eurofighter.
The German Air Force are set to receive
600 Taurus missiles between 2005 and
2009, in a procurement deal worth in the
region of 600 million Euro. The Spanish
contract for the procurement of 43 opera-
tional missiles includes mission planning
and support to aircraft integration.
1 - 2006 eurofighter review 1 - 2006 eurofighter review - n e ws - - n e ws - 5
A Piece of ART
Anniversary Exhibition of Austrian
Air Forces
To celebrate 50 years of the Austrian Air
Force, Eurofighter Typhoon took centre
stage in an art exhibition based on the
genius of Japanese aviation photographer,
Katsuhiko Tokunaga.
Development
and Testing
Crosswinds, fatigue and electromag-
netic forces
Test and certification is an ongoing task.
On 13 January, test pilot Mark Bowman suc-
cessfully landed Instrumented Production
Aircraft Five (IPA5) with an underwing fuel
tank configuration in a 20 knots crosswind.
This achievement for the Flight Test team
will ensure that the cleared in-Service
levels for this configuration will be doubled
while remaining well inside the aircrafts
design limit.
On Spanish soil, overseen by EADS
CASA, Eurofighter Typhoon IPA4 underwent
on-ground testing in a series of electromag-
netic compatibility (EMC) and Pit-Drop
trials. Loaded with four GBU-16 weapons,
the aircraft was tested for the successful
jettison of the bombs, while maintaining
complete functionality of all of the aircrafts
critical systems, under electromagnetic
conditions. Further tests are planned incor-
porating a variety of weapon configurations.
The testing was carried out in advance
of future in-flight bomb jettison trials, with
the recorded data to be added to previously
conducted EMC tests, to achieve further
weapons release clearances.
A further significant achievement is the
1,000 test hours attained on the Structural
Test Facility (STF), based at Brough, UK.
The Single-Seat Front / Centre Fuselage
Fatigue Test, designated as SIFT, is the
structural fatigue qualification of the
non-common components of the single-seat
Eurofighter Typhoon airframe. Having
achieved the milestone 1,000 test hours
ahead of schedule, the team cited the
successful implementation of periodically
running the test unmanned as a key factor
in reaching the benchmark ahead of schedule.
Germany and Spain will be the first nations
to integrate the Taurus KEPD 350 Standoff
weapon with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Spain, having signed a procurement contract
in Summer 2005 for 43 Taurus guided
missiles, joined their German counterparts
at the roll-out of the first Taurus for the
German Air Force at Bchel, in December.
Speaking at the ceremony, German Na-
tional Armament Director, Dr. Jrg Kaempf,
stated The substantial improvements to our
weapon systems of Tornado, and later
Eurofighter, that Taurus represents, will
4
ing the division of workshare and the ship-
ping of the major components from the
three other Eurofighter Partner Companies
to the final assembly facility at Warton.
He also viewed simulated missions on the
Cockpit demonstrator during his four-hour
visit, and met senior management at BAE
Systems.
The vast majority of the 190 staff and
technicians who work on the aircraft joined
His Royal Highness for a cup of tea during
his tour. Production Supervisor Ian Walker,
said he remembered the last time the Prince
of Wales visited the plant in the 1970s.
Mr Walker commented: "They were
making the Tornado line then. They were
nowhere near as advanced as these".
To get a seat in a Royal Air Force Eurofighter
Typhoon cockpit you must be either a quali-
fied pilot or the most important of VIPs. The
latter got their chance early in February
when His Royal Highness Prince Charles,
The Prince of Wales, made an official visit
to BAE Systems Warton facility, UK.
Taking his seat in the cockpit, Prince
Charles commented on its comfort, before
being briefed on the functionality by Flt Lt
James Jody McMeeking, an RAF fighter pilot
instructor.
"I told the Prince how fantastic the
Eurofighter is. It's an awesome aircraft to
fly," he said.
The Prince was given details on the
production and assembly processes, includ-
The Prince of Wales Royal
Typhoon Visit
Prince Charles tours Warton
TAURUS for
Eurofighter Typhoon
Roll-out of the advanced stand-off weapon
aircrews neck and back following ejection
from the aircraft.
At the end you have a product that you
can put your name to for me it was the
first new Eurofighter helmet on its first
maiden flight.
While in flight, the helmet visor presents
the pilot with key mission data including
fuel levels and weapon status, but on ejec-
tion it must protect the head from G-forces
up to nine-times that of gravity.
When you eject you have to make sure
the wind blast does not take your head off!
she said.
To make the helmet more aerodynamic,
the team designed something that looks
like a normal helmet that a wasp has
stung.
Sara joined BAE Systems as an appren-
tice, and in 2001 moved into the Ground
Support Equipment Team as a flight sys-
tems engineer. In 2004, she graduated with
a BEng (Hons) Degree in Mechanical and
Production Engineering, and is currently
applying to study for an MSc in System
Safety.
Young Woman
Engineer of the Year
BAE Systems ` prize winner
Using Tokunagas photography and the
question what does art say to 50 years of
Air Forces? as a reference point, seven
artists worked to provide an answer and
create an experience of design, photogra-
phy, video, sound, sculpture and installation,
referring to such aspects as speed, power,
command structures and the desire to fly.
The exhibition was held in Hangar VII
(Red Bull Hangar) at Salzburg airfield, and
ran from 13 30 January.
Sara Pullen,
Crew Systems Engi-
neer, BAE Systems,
has received the
2005 Young Woman
Engineer of the Year
award. The presti-
gious title, sponsored
by The Institution of
Incorporated Engi-
neers and The Caro-
line Haslett Memori-
al Trust and support-
ed by BT and Ford Motor Company, was
presented to Sara by Sir Digby Jones,
Director-General of the CBI, at a ceremony
in London.
Working with the Head Equipment
Assembly (HEA) Team, Sara Pullen, 25, and
her colleagues are responsible for the con-
cept, design, development and qualification
of the various components of the helmet for
Eurofighter Typhoon. Sara, liaising with
representatives from the four Nations, has
overseen a number of trials aimed at assess-
ing the effects the HEA helmet has on
Top: The Prince of Wales gets a feel for the Typhoon cockpit
Bottom: Taking a tour through the Warton facility
Winners: Sara and
the HEA Helmet
Left: Taurus is to be integrated with Eurofighter Typhoon
Below: IPA4 during EMC testing in Spain
Left: The Eurofighter Typhoon Full Scale Replica
at the ART Exhibition
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The recent deliveries of Block 2 aircraft
provide the customer with the Initial Opera-
tional Capability (IOC) providing primarily
air defence capabilities, encompassing full
carefree handling qualities with external
fuel tanks, gun and missile firing clearances,
the capability for air-to-air refuelling, and
the ability to operate chaff & flares for self-
protection as part of the initial DASS Defen-
sive Aids Subsystems package. With their
Multi-functional Information Distribution
System (MIDS), Eurofighter Typhoons pro-
vide network centric capabilities to the Air
Forces - a feature high on the list of in-ser-
vice requirements. Initial Direct Voice Input
(DVI), and sensor fusion, including MIDS,
are the main features of the Block 2 Human
Machine Interface of the cockpit.
The first Block 2B aircraft have been
handed over to the Spanish Air Force and
the Royal Air Force. The Type Acceptance
document signature was achieved in Decem-
ber 2005, on time and on schedule. The
Block 2B standard introduces the Phase 4
Flight Control System software for signifi-
cantly more agility.
The Final Operating Capability (FOC)
standard aircraft is Block 5, on order for the
customer for deliveries in 2007. It will have
the full air-to-air and air-to-ground capabili-
ties specified in the Main Development
Contract, as required by the air forces, with
the first Block 5 aircraft already in final
assembly at EADS Military Air Systems
Manching facility.
Recent proposals also cover an initial
clearance for use of a laser designator pod
Six Nations have now selected the Euro-
fighter Typhoon, with Saudi Arabia in
December agreeing with the United King-
dom Government that Eurofighter Typhoon
will replace Tornado ADV and other aircraft
in their Air Forces inventory. With a con-
firmed order book of 638 aircraft, the
Eurofighter Typhoon programme currently
has a stronger order book than any other
competing new generation aircraft pro-
gramme. According to media sources, the
current scheduled delivery figures of the
competition programmes are: 120 Rafale
aircraft to be reduced to 111, 183 Lockheed
Martin F-22 fighters and 232 Gripens.
Eurofighter Typhoon is still by far the best-
selling combat aircraft in the world today
and will maintain that position for the fore-
seeable future.
One of the main principles in the
programme is the stepped approach in per-
formance release, so called Blocks, which
are aligned to the production Tranches. Each
new developed Block of Eurofighter Typhoon
heralds an advance in the capabilities at the
disposal of the Partner Air Forces.
and precision guided weapons on the first
Tranche of aircraft. All such clearances are
progressively retroapplied to aircraft already
delivered, so that progressively all Tranche
1 aircraft will be brought up to final Block 5
standard.
Production of the first aircraft Block 5
for Austria is well advanced, with the major
components such as the front and centre
fuselage already in build. Final assembly of
AS001 is scheduled for Spring 2006, with
aircraft deliveries due to begin in 2007.
By early 2006, 75 series production air-
craft had been delivered to the customer, 69
of which are operated by the four Partner
Air Forces. The remaining five so called
Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) are
being used for test and evaluation purposes
by industry. The combined Air Force and
industry fleets had surpassed the 10,000
flying hours mark early in 2006, with over
6,000 hours logged by the in-service air-
craft since the first handover in 2003, and
the industrial Flight Test aircraft amassing
well over 4,000 hours.
While the Air Forces are now training
their pilots, the Flight Test programme
focuses on development and testing of the
FOC Avionic System and the Phase 4 (air-to-
air) and Phase 5 (air-to-ground) Flight Con-
trol Software, with the Phase 4 standard
allowing the aircraft to achieve its maxi-
mum agility. Testing is to be finalised in
Spring 2006, following the conclusion last
year of testing at full 9g loads. Phase 5 soft-
ware will enable Eurofighter Typhoon to not
only carry, but to also operate, air-to-ground
weapons like Paveway and Guided Bomb
Units (GBU), and while initial flights with
four Paveways took place in 2005, more
flights are scheduled for 2006.
By the end of 2005, Eurofighter GmbH
and NETMA had agreed on the way forward
in order to conclude the main development
phase. An indicator that this phase is draw-
ing to a close was the last flight of DA1 in
December 2005 at EADS Manching. DA1
was the first Development Aircraft to fly in
1994. The remaining five Development
Aircraft will soon follow suit as they fulfil
their respective development roles and
reach the end of their design life. This fact
goes a long way in demonstrating the matu-
rity of the programme, but it must also be
highlighted that the retirement of the DA
fleet does not indicate that Eurofighter
Typhoon has achieved its final performance
standard.
The proposals for new capabilities to be
introduced with Tranche 2 aircraft were
submitted to NETMA in the fourth quarter
of 2005, and these proposals included the
integration of the advanced Meteor BVRAAM
(Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile)
that flew on Eurofighter Typhoon for the
first time in December last year. The enabler
for the introduction of these and other new
capabilities was the signature of the Tranche 2
production contract, signed in 2004.
New capabilities will accumulate over
time as the Air Forces themselves further
develop the outstanding qualities and
potential of the aircraft. The world class per-
formance of Eurofighter Typhoon has been
consistently proven in independent assess-
ments where the aircraft, and other West-
ern fighters, were benchmarked against
upgraded versions of the Sukhoi Flanker in
air-to-air combat. The results are stunning
and well recognised by Air Forces and the
competition. The F-22 and Eurofighter
Typhoon clearly dominate in the win rate
with both scoring well in excess of 80 percent,
and leaving the rest of the field trailing in
their wake quite drastically. The Dassault
Rafale managed 50 percent, while other
weapon systems, such as Gripen and the
legacy fighters, fell well below the 50 percent
mark. Eurofighter Typhoons superior per-
formance puts it in a class with the F-22.
Nothing else comes close.
The results from these assessments
ensure that interest in Eurofighter Typhoon
from other Nations is high. The Eurofighter
Partner Companies are actively pursuing
market opportunities in potential Export
Nations such as Greece, Turkey and Nor-
way, with Eurofighter GmbH playing a key
role in identifying the Nations where
Eurofighter Typhoons capability matches
the national requirement.
For 2006, the challenges facing the
Eurofighter Typhoon programme have not
changed and, although intense political
debate is still to be expected, the main focus
remains clear: Deliver world class perfor-
mance to the customer.
Aloysius Rauen, CEO
Top: IPA4 on testing over the Spanish coastline
Bottom: IPA2 operating from Caselle, Italy
Far left: German Air Force Eurofighter with air-to-air
configuration including IRIS-T
The programme will reach new
heights in 2006
6
Performance is Key
The Programme
Advances Through 2006
The Eurofighter Typhoon programme is in a very exciting and challenging
phase. The main development activity will continue until the end of 2007;
series production is running smoothly with aircraft deliveries to the customer
becoming routine; and the Air Force groundcrews are building up the neces-
sary experience for on the ground operations including maintenance, logis-
tic processes, and training. But the most exciting prospect for the programme
is that Italy has taken the next step and put Eurofighter Typhoon into an
armed quick reaction alert role to safeguard Italian air space, with their lead
to be followed by the remaining Partner Air Forces later this year.
news 1 - 2006 eurofighter review 1 - 2006 eurofighter review - D A 1 r e t i r e me n t - - D A 1 r e t i r e me n t - 9
DA1 also made regular appearances
during the exhibition calendar, and was a
star performer at Europes major airshows.
In 2000, and with smokewinder pods
attached, DA1 turned in breath-taking daily
displays at both ILA Berlin and Farnbor-
ough International, as well as other exhibi-
tions in the Netherlands and the Czech
Republic. The aircrafts place in airshow
legend was sealed when it flew as part of
the historic four-ship fly past, with DA2,
DA4 and IPA1 (Instrumented Production
Aircraft) at Farnborough 2002.
As the Eurofighter programme has
reached a high maturity level and is reach-
ing the end of the main development phase,
the Development Aircraft have almost
fulfilled their tasks. DA1 now goes into a
well-earned retirement, with the others
soon to follow.
Phillip Lee
On 21 December 2005, eleven years, eight
months, and 24 days after making the
historic first flight for the Eurofighter pro-
gramme, Development Aircraft One came in
to land for the last time at EADS Manching
facility.
Piloted by test pilot Chris Worning, DA1
was greeted by the EADS Groundcrew, and
the technicians who have endeavoured to
enable the aircraft to play an integral role at
the forefront of the Flight Test programme.
In terms of achievements, DA1s contri-
bution to Flight Test has been immense.
Right from the off, the certification and data
gathering conducted by DA1 has helped
shape the performance and capability on
what is today the most advanced combat
aircraft in the world. Primarily involved
with initial, and ongoing, airframe and FCS
development, DA1 later moved into aircraft
handling, envelope expansion and engine
development.
8
Final flight of the number one
DA1Lands for the Last Time
DA1 takes off with
reheat for Farnborough
airshow aerial display
DA1 was a key player in
Flight Test, amassing
almost 500 flight hours
Final Flight preparations
for DA1 at Manching
Over the course of its 578 flights and
just short of 500 flying hours, some of
the milestones achieved by DA1 include:
N First ever flight of a Eurofighter Typhoon
N In-flight icing trials behind a Do 228
Tanker
N First formation take-off and landing
N First in-flight refuelling from a Tornado
with Buddy-Buddy pod
N First in-flight refuelling with 3 (wet)
external tanks
N Completion of supersonic carefree
handling manoeuvres
N Autopilot testing completed
Following its final flight, DA1 lines up with EADS
Test Pilot Chris Worning and the Groundcrew at
Manching who have serviced the aircraft during
its Flight Test career
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January
Turning defence
into attack
Even with Tranche 2 confirmed and deliver-
ies of single-seat Eurofighter Typhoons
underway, the programme began 2005
having to explain and reiterate the process
of planned capability insertion to the public
following fierce criticism from the German
weekly publication Der Spiegel.
To further emphasise this chosen track
of ongoing development and qualification,
the Flight Test team achieved the first flight
with six advanced-medium-range-air-to-air-
missiles (AMRAAMs), fully integrated with
a successful simulated firing, as well as the
completion of Autopilot Official Assessment
Flights.
February
Missiles, first
flights, and an
Austrian in the
cockpit
February was dominated with a variety
of flying achievements. In Flight Test, BAE
Systems-operated DA4 carried out a success-
ful guided-firing of the AMRAAM missile,
scoring a direct hit against its target, while
the first single-seat Typhoon bound for the
Italian Air Force made its maiden flight out
of Alenias test facility at Caselle.
In support of ongoing Export efforts,
the Chief of the Austrian Air Force, Major
General Erich Wolf, and a delegation from
the Turkish Air Force, both gained first-
hand experience of the manoeuvrability of
Eurofighter Typhoon. After his flight,
General Wolf commented: This was the
most impressive aircraft I've ever flown and
I've flown many aircraft including the F-16,
F-18, MiG-29 and the Gripen. An outstand-
ing aeroplane with outstanding performance
that meets our expectations and require-
ments. The man-machine interface is superb
and pilot orientated. Austria as the first
Export customer signed the procurement
contract for the delivery of 18 aircraft in
2003.
March
Surviving the cold
and a US
detachment ends
EADS Military Aircraft announced in March
the delivery of the 100th Centre Fuselage
section to EADS CASA. The milestone com-
ponent was assigned to SS007 of the Span-
ish Air Force, and was delivered to the final
assembly line at Getafe.
In the middle of March, the Spanish
Eurofighter Typhoon IPA4 completed the
longest and most exceptional test campaign
on foreign soil when it touched down at
Getafe following Cold Environment Trials in
Vidsel, Sweden. During the trials, the air-
The Highs and Highs during a Key Year for Eurofighter Typhoon
2005
Programme Review
The signature of the Tranche 2 Supplement 3 contract for
production of a further 236 aircraft still fresh in the
memory, and with the Type Acceptance of the single-seat
variant also recently achieved, the Eurofighter programme
moved into 2005 confident that the successes of 2004,
climaxing in December with the two key contract
craft was subjected to temperatures as low
as -31 and it provided verification for sys-
tem operations in extreme cold weather.
The increasing maturity and confidence
in the aircraft was further demonstrated
when BT005 / ISPA1 returned from detach-
ment in the United States. The aircraft had
been undergoing operational testing, and
this deployment success adds to the
achievements from the Singapore deploy-
ment in mid-2004.
April
RAF relocation
and an Export elimi-
nation
The Royal Air Force took the headlines in
April with the announcement that 17 (R)
Squadron had relocated to RAF Coningsby,
from the BAE Systems Warton facility. The
aircraft of 17 (R) Squadron had been
brought into service in partnership with
industry under the Case White programme,
an initiative that proved to be a resounding
success, highlighted by the fact that every
target was achieved and in some cases
exceeded, culminating in the on-schedule
delivery to RAF Coningsby.
Also in this month, the programme
announced that all four partner Air Forces
were operating Batch 2 single-seat aircraft,
following deliveries to the German Air
Force and the Royal Air Force, and the
deployment of IS002 to Grosseto, Italy.
signatures, would be built on and that this level of
achievement would be maintained throughout the
duration of the coming 12 months.
Here we take a retrospective look at the headline-making
events of the now confirmed best-selling next generation
fighter aircraft!
IPA4 endures the
cold in Sweden
DA4 conducts successful AMRAAM release
Thumbs up from the Chief
of the Austrian Air Force
A multi-national lineup of five Eurofighter
Typhoons preparing for takeoff at Manching
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out fighting with achievements across the
board. Initial operations out of RAF Con-
ingsby had begun positively, and deliveries
to the Air Forces were progressing at a
steady rate.
The testing of updates to the avionics
package of the aircraft with FOC standard,
in particular to the radar, the DASS and the
sensor fusion, started and overall the pilot
feedback was positive.
June
A Summer tour
and the Programme
hits 50
The coming of the Summer months signalled
the start of a busy exhibitions calendar.
First up was the 46th International Paris
Airshow at Le Bourget. A programme mile-
stone was achieved in the aerial display
when, for the first time, Captain Matteo
Maurizio, of the Italian Air Force, piloted an
Air Force single-seat operational aircraft in
front of the watching crowds. The event al-
so provided a platform for industry and
customer to showcase the partnership ethic
running through the programme, and to
brief other interested nations on the advan-
tages of becoming involved in the collabora-
tive project.
During the show week, the Norwegian
Government announced that it would in-
crease its funding in Eurofighter Industrial
participation, citing the benefits brought by
such a partnership as being that the access
to the technological know-how will enhance
the capabilities of their armed forces in the
long run.
EADS CASA ensured that the production
programme made headlines when they
delivered the 100th series production Right
Hand Wing, assigned to Eurofighter GS017,
to the German final assembly facility at
Manching.
In the Export market, despite proving its
capabilities to be above and beyond those of
the rival aircraft, Eurofighter Typhoon was
eliminated from the Singapore Fighter Com-
petition. Singaporean officials acknowl-
edged the capability supremacy, but added
that the core programme schedule did not
match the time schedules of the Singapore
Air Force.
May
A positive start
and testing begins
on FOC
With the discussions still raging over the
Singapore decision, and the Eurofighter
procurement again subject to debate in the
Austrian Parliament, the programme came
The Summers second major aerospace
event was Airpower 2005, at Zeltweg,
Austria. Eurofighter and EADS supported in
full, with the German Air Force providing
two aircraft from JG 73 Steinhoff, Laage.
This was the first event, since the contract
with Austria was agreed, during which the
public and Air Force personnel could famil-
iarise themselves with what will be the
future air defence weapon system of the
Bundesheer.
Also in June, the programme soared
through the 50 barrier in terms of aircraft
delivered to the customer. The simultaneous
acceptance of aircraft by Germany and
Spain took the number of aircraft owned by
the customer to 51 at the end of the first
half of the year. Eurojet, the consortium
overseeing the production of the EJ200
engine, recorded a significant milestone of
their own when they delivered the 250th
engine to the nations.
12
July
A second RAF move
and IPA4 takes the
heat
The busy Summer showed no sign of letting
up as the programme moved into July. At
the beginning of the month, 29 (R)
Squadron of the Royal Air Force, joined 17
(R) Squadron, at RAF Coningsby as they
made the move from BAE Systems Warton
facility.
In the Flight Test arena, EADS CASA com-
menced heat trials with Instrumented Pro-
duction Aircraft 4 in Southern Spain, an
ambitious programme that would look to
complete around 40 flights with the aircraft
in extreme high temperatures.
Initial 17 Sqn operations out of
RAF Coningsby were successful
The Eurofighter
mock-up, in Austrian
Air Force markings,
was a crowd-puller
at Zeltweg
Captain Matteo
Maurizio wows the
Parisian crowds at
Le Bourget
Two aircraft of JG73 Steinhoff provided the aerial display at Airpower 05, Zeltweg
EADS CASA deliver the 100th Right Hand Wing
RAF Typhoon Display Pilot
Sqn Ldr Matt Elliott at RIAT 05
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The exhibition circuit resumed when
aerospace manufacturers from around the
world descended on RAF Fairford, UK, for
the Royal International Air Tattoo 2005.
Typhoon captured the headlines as the
weekends star performer!
Also in July, Greece, having initialled a
contract for 60 aircraft before the Olympic
Games, acquired 30 F-16s as an interim
solution to maintain their fleet against attri-
tion. EADS, the majority shareholder in the
Eurofighter programme and campaign
leader in Athens, strongly stated that this
procurement is not against the Eurofighter
programme.
And, as the month came to a close, the
German Defence Minister, Dr. Peter Struck,
paid a visit to the EADS Manching facility,
to highlight the cooperation between the
German Air Force and Industry.
August
Testing. Testing.
Testing.
The achievements of the Flight Test team
drove the programme throughout August,
with significant developments in key areas.
First, Development Aircraft 1 carried out
the successful first flight of an upgraded
software package (phase 4). This success
was matched by DA3 a few days later when
the aircraft completed a campaign of Flutter
Test flights. The campaign included flights
at the extremities of the flight envelope,
with external loads, and highlights the air-
crafts durability in the extremes of flight.
Towards the end of August, testing was
completed on Autopilot flights with the
twin-seat IPA3. The flight computers took
control of the aircraft and reacted to the
differences in loads and handled the air-
craft accordingly.
The month closed with successes in the
carefree handling flight testing, in which
the Eurofighter Typhoon was subjected to
Gross Manoeuvring Levels i.e. the pilot
jerked the stick to elicit aircraft responses
instead of easing the aircraft into flight
manoeuvres, and Eurofighter again proved
its handling capabilities in coming through
these tests with ease.
September
A Turkish delight
An extremely busy September in Flight
Test is highlighted with the completion of
several key tasks, including various air-to-
air refuelling tests, carefree handling ma-
noeuvres, and AIM-9L missile firings.
The exhibition circuit moved up a gear
with two airshows linked closely with cam-
paign efforts. The first stop was Tanagra Air
Base, Greece, for the Archangel 2005 air-
show, with campaign leader EADS, support-
ed by Eurofighter, putting on a considerable
exhibition presence.
The export focus then shifted to Ankara,
Turkey, where Eurofighter made its first-
ever appearance in Turkey as part of the
IDEF 2005 International Defence Fair. The
Italian Air Force had sent two aircraft and
Captain Maurizio again flew a breath taking
display. This provided opportunity for the
Eurofighter Partner Nations to highlight the
strength of the industrial and governmental
cooperation in the programme, and a visit
plus a joint declaration from the Defence
Ministries of Germany, Italy, Spain and the
United Kingdom, emphasised the potential
benefits of Turkeys participation in the
project.
October
Italy top 1,000 and
Eurofighter makes a
Vienna fly-past
Following the lead of JG73 at Laage, the
second proposed Eurofighter unit in the
Luftwaffe took the first steps towards
conversion following the handover of the
ASTA training building in Neuburg. From
this year, all JG74 pilots will undergo
Eurofighter Typhoon training on the simula-
tors installed at Neuburg.
As part of the celebrations marking the
50th Anniversary of the Austrian Armed
Forces, a four-ship Eurofighter Typhoon
formation made a fly-past over Heldenplatz,
Vienna, highlighting the four Nation part-
nership while giving the Austrian public
the opportunity to see, what will be their
newest air defence system, in action.
In Flight Test, the team enjoyed further
successes in missile firings, in addition to
the first flight of upgraded avionics software.
As October drew to a close, the Italian
Air Force marked their first 1,000 opera-
tional flying hours with a small ceremony
in Grosseto, and a VIP flight for Defence
Minister, Antonio Martino who, on landing,
declared: Flying this aircraft is like a drug!
November
Danish and
Middle-Eastern
prospects
As the end of the year approached, several
important numerical milestones were
achieved by the programme. The Italian Air
Force surpassed the 1,000 in-flight hours,
while the combined flying hours for the
entire in-service fleet surged past the 5,000
hour mark.
14
In terms of Flight Test, the Royal Air
Force conducted the firing of the Advanced
Short-Range Air-Air Missile (ASRAAM) as
well as various AMRAAM flights.
The VIP flight of the month belonged to
EADS when Test Pilot Chris Worning flew
Major General Klaus L. Axelsen, Chief of the
Royal Danish Air Force Air Material Com-
mand. After the flight, which lasted little
over an hour, Major General Axelsen
showed his enthusiasm and claimed
you should be proud of this very capable
aircraft.
The final major event of 2005 took the
Eurofighter team to the United Arab
Emirates for the Dubai 2005 Airshow.
Although there was no Eurofighter Typhoon
in the flying display, the presence was
strong enough to attract a wealth of dele-
gates and VIP visitors.
BAE Systems also announced that the
assembly of the first production standard
Tranche 2 aircraft had commenced, and
that a further seven were to begin by the
end of the year.
December
The sweet smell of
success
As Advent started the countdown to Christ-
mas, it was the Air Forces who made the
headlines on behalf of the programme. The
German Air Force, along with the Italian
and Spanish Air Forces, took delivery of the
first series production IRIS-T Air-to-Air mis-
sile, with a high-profile ceremony conducted
at Jagdgeschwader 73, in Rostock-Laage. Not
to be outdone, the Royal Air Force conducted
first flight trials with the MBDA Meteor
missile. 17 Squadron, based at RAF Conings-
by, carried out the tests with two GHTMs
(ground handling training missiles) which
are representative in terms of mass,
dimension, and aerodynamics, of the opera-
tional weapons. This flight demonstrated
that Eurofighter Typhoon has the ability to
carry all air-to-air weapons assigned to it in
the Air Defence role.
The celebrations from the missile
achievements had barely died down when
the United Kingdom Government announced
the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon to the King-
dom of Saudi Arabia. Under the agreed
terms, Typhoon will replace Tornado Air
Defence Variant and other aircraft currently
in service with the Saudi Arabian Air Force.
The last major technical event of the year
was NETMA clearing the Full Operational
Capability avionics functionality, including
the new Helmet, off the rigs into Flight Test.
The final headline of 2005 was generated
by Eurojet, and their announcement of a
300 million Euro contract signature with
NETMA, for in-service support up to 2009.
Eurofighter Typhoon in 2005
Nothing Came Close!
Phillip Lee
General Klaus-Peter Stieglitz
Chief of German Air Force
METEOR flight trials for Eurofighter Typhoon
Major General Klaus L. Axelsen
Chief of Royal Danish Air Force
Antonio Martino
Italian Secretary of Defence
29 Sqn join 17 Sqn at RAF Coningsby
Defence Ministers from Italy,
Turkey, UK and Germany at
the IDEF 2005 Defence Fair,
Turkey
IPA4 undertaking heat trials in Spain
Air-to-air refuelling tests completion
1 - 2006 eurofighter review 1 - 2006 eurofighter review - e x p o r t u p d a t e - - e x p o r t u p d a t e - 17 16
Greece
Greeces economy had to take on the burden
of having hosted the 2004 Olympic Games,
followed a year later by the decision to pro-
cure 30 F-16 fighters from the United States
as an interim solution to overcome a short-
fall in the Hellenic Air Force inventory.
Eurofighter Partner and Campaign Leader,
EADS, made clear for the consortium that
this procurement is definitely not against
Eurofighter Typhoon as the need for a next
generation aircraft is still evident, and that
Eurofighter Typhoon is well placed in terms
of capability, and also in terms of the indus-
trial and political benefits that the Eurofighter
programme delivers. A Request for Proposal
(RFP) is expected from Greece during 2006.
Analysis of the combat aircraft market,
added to feedback from existing customers,
confirms the belief that Eurofighter Typhoon
is a highly attractive solution for Nations
worldwide who are in the market for a Next
Generation Fighter aircraft. Eurofighter
Typhoon is the credible European alternative,
already in service with four major European
Air Forces, and contracted to deliver to a
fifth (Austria) from 2007. The announcement
in December last year of the Government to
Government understanding between the
United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia for the
sale of Typhoon only serves to underline
the growing presence and authority of the
weapon system in the combat aircraft arena.
Austria
The Austrian Government decided in favour
of Eurofighter Typhoon due to the aircraft
meeting their second to none require-
ment. Contracted in August 2003,
the Austria programme is well
on schedule with the major
components of AS001, the first
aircraft for the Bundesheer, already
in advanced stages of build.
Deliveries are scheduled
to begin in 2007.
Export Update
A World
of opportunity
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
Greece
Norway
Denmark
Netherlands
UK
Belgium
Switzerland
Portugal
Spain
Italy
India
Oman
Market Opportunities
Contracted Customers
Germany
Austria
Turkey
The IDEF Defence Exhibition at Ankara in
2005 allowed the Eurofighter Partners to
showcase the benefits of Turkish industrial
participation in the programme. Declared
an official Campaign in 2004, the Alenia
Aeronautica-led consortium is promoting
the Eurofighter Typhoon for the planned
modernisation of the Turkish Air Force. The
Request for Information (RFI) has already
been received and responded to, with the
Eurofighter Export team now awaiting the
Request for Proposal from Turkey, expected
by the end of 2006.
Norway
Although a member of the JSF development
programme, with funding levels of 35 million
Euro for their industrial participation in the
Eurofighter programme, the Norwegian
Government are recognising the advantages
that a Eurofighter partnership brings. An
RFI has been issued by Norway, and the
Eurofighter Typhoon marketing and sales
effort is being led by EADS, who are work-
ing closely with the Norwegian officials in
order to respond to the RFI before the end
of March. A replacement decision is fore-
casted for 2009, with an in-service date
expected to be around 2016.
Denmark
Very similar to Norway in its procurement
strategy, coupled with the fact that they
also hold membership to the JSF programme,
the approach from Eurofighter Export in
this Campaign mirrors the Norwegian strat-
egy. EADS are the lead Partner, cooperating
closely with the Danish Officials, and all the
significant competition checkpoints are
forecasted to be similar to those of Norway.
The RFI was issued at the end of 2005, with
a decision expected 2009, and in-service
requirements for 2016.
Further Market Opportunities
Running parallel to official Campaigns,
Eurofighter Export are continually analysing
the market for future fighter replacement
competitions and opportunities. The Euro-
pean Nations of Switzerland, the Nether-
lands, Belgium and Portugal, have been
identified as future prospects, and in the
Far East, delegates from Eurofighter have
been received by Japanese Officials in
order to better understand the national
aircraft requirement.
Eurofighter Typhoon, through its Swing-
Role capability, and its Industrial Participa-
tion packages, is well placed to serve the
requirements of the most demanding Air
Forces, today and well into the 21st Century.
638 aircraft under contract makes
Eurofighter Typhoon the best-selling
next generation combat aircraft in
the world
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The company's business is divided into
three main areas: Information Technologies
(IT), Simulation and Automatic Test Systems
(SIM/ATS) and Defence Electronics Equip-
ment (DEE). Specifically, Indra is the Spanish
market leader in the supply and integration
of sophisticated defence electronics equip-
ments for the Armed Forces in Spain and the
most prominent Spanish supplier of Avionics
Systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Indra has been participating in the
Eurofighter Project since the initial definition
studies for the different equipments,
through the subsequent development and
industrialisation phases, while achieving a
reliable delivery performance during the
current ongoing production programme.
The company is currently implicated in
more than fifteen different Avionic Systems
and, at the same time, in the relevant ground
systems that guarantee the optimal operation
of the aircraft. Indra is, through the various
Systems, involved with all functional aspects
of the aircraft.
In particular, Indra is one of the members
of the EuroDASS and EuroRadar Consortia
that are responsible for the DASS (Defensive
Aids Sub-System) and the Captor Radar.
Now the reference Spanish company in
Information Technologies, Indras history
dates back as far as 1921, when the first of
the companies that would eventually give
rise to the configuration of what is now
Indra, were constituted. More recently, the
period from 1986 to 1992 saw a process of
business restructuring and concentration,
which culminated in December 1992 with
the merger between CESEL, S.A. and INISEL
Groups.
By 1993, Indra encompassed the busi-
nesses of an important group of companies
from both the public and the private sector,
and it was at this time that the definition of
the current business project began. More
restructuring followed during the mid-1990s,
with a focus on consolidation and growth as
the millennium drew to a close. Since 2000,
Indra has experienced strong, above sector
average growth, thanks largely to a differen-
tial business model and a greater presence
on international markets, with the creation
of subsidiaries in the United States, China,
Portugal and Brazil, among others. Indra
has completed projects in more than 40
countries spread over five continents, with
these international activities generating
over one third of the company's revenues.
COMPANY INDUSTRIES
Today, Indra is the leading Spanish informa-
tion technologies company recording
revenues of more than 1 billion Euro, and
holding an order book of over 1.3 billion Euro.
The companys principal asset is intellectual
capital, with a workforce comprising more
than 6,600 professionals with over 80% of
Indra's total personnel made up of gradu-
ates and highly specialised technicians with
thorough knowledge of clients businesses
and of the latest technologies. The corporate
headquarters is located in Madrid.
The DASS is designed to ensure the air-
craft will survive the full range of threats to
enable mission success. It is an integral
part of the aircrafts fighting equipment
that provides comprehensive protection
through the Electronic Support Measures
(ESM) together with the Missile Approach
Warner (MAW) which work in harmony
with other on-board sensing systems to give
timely warning and identification of threats.
The Electronic Countermeasures (ECM)
System automatically activates the most
suitable on-board or off-board countermea-
sures (inc. towed decoys) to the threat.
The system ensures maximum effective-
ness in all scenarios by allowing total pro-
grammability of mission data.
Indra participates in all the key stages of
the DASS programme. In development, pre-
liminary qualification has been completed
allowing for the delivery of the first systems
to the customer.
Significant investment has been made in
the development of production facilities, and
the manufacturing of 121 ESM-ECM and
MAW systems for the DASS for the four
Partner Nations has begun. Indra partici-
pates in the supply of equipments which
amounts to approximately 16.5% of the total.
To cater for ever-changing threat profiles,
the DASS system is designed to allow easy
modification for future growth thus ensuring
protection for Eurofighter Typhoon through
the 21st Century. Indra is at the forefront of
future DASS capabilities.
Indra play a key role in both development
and production of the RADAR, and responsi-
ble for desgn and development of the
antenna platform (Scanner) and the produc-
tion and integration of the TAU SRI (Trans-
mitter Auxiliary Unit).
The CAPTOR RADAR is a third generation
coherent multimode radar for high perfor-
mance combat aircraft, and is the primary
sensor of the Eurofighter Typhoon. The
radar detects, identifies, prioritises and en-
gages targets beyond the effective range of
the enemy weapon systems whilst remaining
resistant to severe electronic jamming.
Indra is leading two fundamental areas
related to on-ground systems for the
Eurofighter Typhoon. The Aircrew Synthetic
Training Aids (ASTA) and the General Pur-
pose Automatic Test Equipment (GPATE).
ASTA is an integrated system comprising
different training elements ensuring a com-
prehensive simulation and training capabil-
ity to the four Eurofighter Nations.
Eurofighter Simulation Systems (ESS), led
by Indra, are responsible for the delivery of
all the ASTA equipment to the Eurofighter
programme in Spain. The packs developed by
Towed Decoy
Front Missile Warners
Rear Missile Warner
Laser Warners
Wing Tip ESM/ECM Pods
Top Spanish Supplier
INDRA
INDRA is a member of the consortium responsible for the DASS
1:1 scale model of DASS pods, showing internally-housed towed decoy
One company stands out when looking at Spanish suppliers to the
Eurofighter Typhoon programme. That company is INDRA.
Items supplied by Indra
N2 Full Mission Simulators (FMS)
N2 Cockpipt Trainers/Interactive Pilot Stations
NEnhanced (CT/IPS-E)
N8 Instruction Equipments (IS)
N8 Instruction Assets (IOS)
N13 Crash Survivable Memory Units (CSMU)
N1 Database Generator (DBGS)
INDRAs avionics involvement:
On-board Communications
NMIDS Interface Unit (MIU)
NCommunication Audio Management Unit
(CAMU)
NVHF / UHF Transceiver (RADIO)
Utilities System
NFront Computer (FC)
NSecondary Power Supply (SPS)
Data Register and Presentation
NMaintenance Data Panel (MDP)
Weapons Control System
NWing Pylon Station Unit (WPSU)
NFuselage Station Unit (FSU)
NIntegrated Tip Station Unit (ITSU)
NNew Enhanced Safety Critical Armament
Control (NESCAC)
Flight Control System
NLaser Inertial Navigation System (LINS)
NFlight Control Computer (FCC)
NGlobal Positioning System (GPS)
Engines Control
NDigital Engine Control and Monitoring
Unit (DECMU)
Sensors
NDefensive Aids Sub-System (DASS)
NRADAR (Captor)
Future Enhancements
NLaser Designating Pod (LDP)
Indra, specifically for the ASTA programme,
include the Instruction Systems (IOS-IS),
Database Generation System (DBGS) and
the Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU).
GPATE belongs to the latest generation
of general-purpose test programme sets.
This portable test system derives from SAM
standard and is oriented to the maintenance
of the avionic equipments of the Eurofighter
Typhoon. This system is modular, portable
and reconfigurable with a great growth
capacity for future weapon systems. Deploy-
ment is ensured by the portable and light
ruggerised boxes interconnected without
any need of cabling.
FUTURE CAPABILITIES
The provision of the company's own solu-
tions, which bring significant competitive
advantages for each customer, requires a
major investment on innovation in all busi-
ness areas. For that reason, Indra earmarks
nearly 8% of revenues for R&D&I activities.
As result of this policy, Indra is ready to
face up the future technological challenges
of the Eurofighter Programme, through the
growth of the different roles of the aircraft
or through the enhancement of the different
systems in order to maximise the equipment
performances. The future integration of a
targeting laser designating pod or the
possible application of the digital reception
capabilities for the DASS system are good
examples.
Silvia Valdesueiro Perez
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During 2005, the Eurojet partnership
continued to provide support to the
Eurofighter Flight Test programme in chal-
lenging test areas. Engine clearance was
given for the full gun-firing envelope while
Spanish Partner, IPT, worked alongside
EADS CASA during the demanding cold
weather trials in Vidsel, Northern Sweden.
In-Service Support procedures have been
fully implemented throughout the year,
building on the experience of the first three
years of In-Service Operation. The customer
and industry organisation are working in
integrated teams in order to ensure effec-
tive support of the fleet.
The EJ200 sets the standard with its excep-
tional performance. Europes latest genera-
tion, advanced military turbofan engine has
been designed to fulfill the most demanding
requirements set for next generation fighter
and trainer aircraft. Since entry into service
of the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2003, the
EJ200 engine has been extremely successful
in demonstrating outstanding levels of han-
dling and reliability while exceeding the
expectations of both pilots and ground
crews, setting the trend for the future of the
programme and for potential export.
Throughout 2005, Eurojet Turbo GmbH,
the leading European military aerospace
engine consortium and its shareholders
Avio (Italy), ITP (Spain), MTU Aero Engines
(Germany) and Rolls-Royce (UK), have
proven the concept in operational flying
and had registered almost 15,000 Engine
Flying Hours (EFH) with Series Production
and Instrumented Production Aircraft by
the end of 2005.
The In-Service contract for the first oper-
ational phase was successfully completed in
December 2005, and a new In-service con-
tract worth about 300 million Euro was
signed by NETMA and EUROJET on 20 De-
cember 2005, only a few days before Christ-
mas. This contract will assure full scale In-
service support for the engine including all
IT systems (Electronic DataProcessing for
service support) across Europe. The dura-
tion of the contract runs up to 2009.
In February 2006, Eurojet delivered the
300th engine to the customer. The produc-
tion schedule of the 363 engines under
contract in Tranche 1 is progressing in line
with the overall Eurofighter programme,
and is due for completion during 2006.
Pilots
love the EJ200
EJ200 engines are far more powerful than
any previous power plant of their size, and
provide the Eurofighter Typhoon with a very
high thrust-to-weight ratio, which in turn
translates into an unmatched agility and
performance throughout the flight envelope,
including for example a breathtakingly short
take-off run, or the ability to sustain super-
sonic flight in dry power.
Tcol. Jos M Juanas Garca,
Jefe Grupo 11, Moron, Spain
I have flown the aircraft throughout the
whole flight envelope from minimum speed
up to Mach 2 and from 0 to 55,000 feet. This
is the most exceptional engine I have ever
flown, with a lot of thrust.
The engine matches with the aircraft carefree
handling characteristics.
Maurizio Cheli, Chief Test Pilot,
Alenia Aeronautica, Torino, Italy
The EJ200 has breathtaking performance
and is extremely easy to handle over the
entire flight envelope. Particularly impressive
is the engine performance and handling at
high altitude and high speed where modern
beyond-visual-range combat takes place.
Chris Worning,
Eurofighter Project Pilot,
EADS Military Air Systems, Manching,
Germany
With over three years testing experience on
the Eurofighter Typhoon, I am awe-struck
with the massive contribution the EJ200
engine has given to the world beating perfor-
mance of this aircraft. Total carefree handling
of the engine throughout the flight envelope
generates a confidence that some other
combat aircraft can only admire from a
distance. In sum, fast or slow, high level or
low level, day or night we have our trust in
what the EJ200 can deliver now and in the
future."
Mark Bowman,
Typhoon Project Test Pilot,
BAE Systems, Warton, UK
20
EJ200 Programme Update
The Power
behind Eurofighter Typhoon
For Tranche 2, a total number of 519 EJ200s
are under contract, ensuring production
until 2012, to be followed by another 519
engines for Tranche 3, bringing up the total
order book to more 1400.
A new engine technology standard will
be introduced to the Tranche 2 EJ200. They
will be equipped with a completely integrat-
ed single Digital Engine Control and Moni-
toring Unit (DECMU) instead of the two
units currently used. This new unit is smaller
in size and offers more flexibility, and will
prove to be more cost-effective than the two
predecessor systems.
Katarina Elbogen
An RAF 29 Sqn Typhoon with engines
on full reheat during an aerial display
at RAF Fairford, UK
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METEOR
Under development by a European Partner-
ship lead by MBDA, and including INMIZE
and Saab Bofors Dynamics, Meteor was
ordered by the United Kingdom Ministry of
Defence and five other European Nations,
including Eurofighter partners Germany,
Italy and Spain, to meet their future Air-to-
Air requirements.
A highly flexible air-to-air weapon system,
Meteor provides a comprehensive opera-
tional capability in the most complex com-
bat scenarios. The missile is allocated
targets from the launch aircraft radar, and
can engage air targets autonomously by
using its active radar seeker by day or
night, and in all weather, or in dense elec-
tronic warfare environments.
Designed to defeat emerging and future
threats, Meteors capabilities combine to
give a high kill probability while ensuring
pilot survivability. The missiles ramjet
propulsion system guarantees a range in
excess of 100 km and a speed of more than
Mach 4. Even when launched from extreme
stand-off ranges, the missile will have the
energy to defeat fast, manoeuvring targets,
with total destruction ensured through its
use of both proximity and impact fuses, plus
a fragmentation warhead that is detonated at
the optimum point to maximise lethality.
The start of 2006 heralds a new phase
in the life of the Eurofighter Typhoon since,
having attained firing certification for the
majority of weapons required in its primary
air defence role, the aircraft progresses to
full operational service. The Italian Air Force
have assigned two single-seat Typhoon air-
craft to be held in constant operational
readiness to scramble when the order is
given. Based at Grosseto, Northern Italy, the
aircraft are under the control of Surveillance
of Aerial Spazio (SSSA), the organisation
responsible for monitoring and defending
Italian air space.
Eurofighter Typhoon has demonstrated
its ability to carry the full air-to-air weapons
suite following the first flights with two
Meteor GHTMs (ground handling training
missiles). This success comes after earlier
accomplishments in AMRAAM and ASRAAM
firings, AIM-9L launches, and the clearance
to fire the IRIS-T short-range, air-to-air guided
missile. December 2005 saw the delivery to
the German Air Force with the Italian and
Spanish Air Force of the first series produc-
tion IRIS-T missile, in a small ceremony
conducted at Jagdgeschwader 73, Rostock-
Laage.
To mark the aircrafts ascension to the
front line, Eurofighter Review takes a look
at the air-to-air weapons that will protect
European airspace for the next 40years.
A full development programme, agreed by
all six nations, is in place with several signif-
icant milestones already achieved. Following
the completion of a preliminary design
review in 2003, in September of that year a
representative Meteor missile was fitted to
Eurofighter Typhoon, while in 2004, a sec-
ond round of wind tunnel testing confirmed
the missiles design integrity. Fully instru-
mented Meteor missiles have been flown on
captive aircraft trials, while aircrews from
the six partner nations have been familiaris-
ing themselves with the missile via a series
of combat simulator trials at MBDAs facility
in Stevenage, UK. December last year saw
Meteor flown for the first time on Eurofighter
Typhoon and the other aircraft types on
which the weapon system will be integrated,
and 2006 will see the Meteor team carry out
the first air-launched demonstration firing.
Introduction into service on Eurofighter
Typhoon will commence following the com-
pletion of missile development.
ASRAAM
The Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
(ASRAAM) is a next generation air-to-air
missile developed and produced by European
Missile giant MBDA, a fully integrated Euro-
pean company owned by Finmeccanica, BAE
Systems, and EADS.
ASRAAM has been deployed by the Royal
Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.
It is capable of engaging any airborne target
within the pilot's visual range of acquisition,
as well as targets beyond this visual range.
ASRAAM receives the target's position
coordinates via the carrier aircraft's airborne
sensors or the pilot's helmet-mounted sight.
All round target designation and full acquisi-
tion anywhere in the forward hemisphere,
plus its resistance to countermeasures, com-
bined with speed, agility, and high accuracy
in its thermal imaging guidance system
ensure the highest kill probability against
any target.
ASRAAM provides the pilot with the
ability to effectively engage targets from
gun range to near Beyond Visual Range,
with or without active RF emissions. The
pilot can identify the threat passively and
cue the missile using a Helmet Mounted
Display, Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST)
or radar. The missile's imaging infrared
seeker allows ASRAAM to fly out to the
target passively.
AMRAAMs Electronic Power Unit is
capable of processing millions of images
and flight computations per second while
the inertial sensor, with its 3 axis fibre
optic gyro and solid state accelerometers,
give increased reliability and faster missile
launch.
ASRAAM has been designed to be com-
patible with all aircraft capable of launching
Sidewinder or AMRAAM, is in service with
the Royal Air Force, and has been deployed
operationally. Eurofighter Typhoon has
achieved firing certification with ASRAAM.
AIM-9L Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-
seeking, air-to-air missile, with a high-ex-
plosive warhead and an active infrared guid-
ance system. Developed by the US Navy, and
later adapted for Air Force use, the missile's
main components are an infrared homing
guidance section, which enables the missile
to target engine exhausts on enemy aircraft,
an active optical target detector, a high-explo-
sive warhead, and a rocket motor.
The AIM-9L added a more powerful solid-
propellant rocket motor as well as tracking
manoeuvring ability. Improvements in heat
sensor and control systems have provided
the AIM-9L missile with an all-aspect attack
capability and improved guidance character-
istics, with the L model being the first
Sidewinder with the ability to attack from
all angles, including head-on.
Since the beginning of the 1960s, Diehl
BGT Defence, as European prime contractor
and system house, has manufactured more
than 35,000 Sidewinder for nearly all NATO
countries. Eurofighter Typhoon has achieved
firing certification with the missile and it is
in service with the Partner Air Forces.
IRIS-T
IRIS-T development was carried out by Ger-
many, Italy, Greece, Norway, Spain and
Sweden, with overall programme manage-
ment under the responsibility of Diehl BGT
Defence. Missile deliveries to the programme
partners started in 2005. Compared to its
predecessor generation of short-range air-to-
air missiles, the IRIS-T offers thrust vector
control, imaging IR-seeker with much wider
acquisition range, considerably improved
resistance to countermeasures (IRCM and
DIRCM), lock-on after launch and a 360
degree around engagement capability.
The infrared seeker developed by Diehl
BGT Defence provides extremely high
resolution, target discrimination and flare
suppression - even if confronted with the
latest countermeasures. Diameter, length,
mass and centre-of-gravity position have
deliberately been chosen such that they
meet the requirement for compatibility with
its Sidewinder predecessor.
The missile-launcher interface, too, has
been designed so as to be compatible with
both the previous analogue Sidewinder
interface and the digital interfaces of modern
fighter aircraft. Operational service with
the Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons of the
German, Italian and Spanish Air Forces has
now begun.
AMRAAM
With the incorporation of the latest digital
technology, micro-miniaturized solid-state
electronics, and up to date active radar
guidance, the most recent versions of the
Raytheon Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-
Air Missile (AMRAAM) packs unprecedent-
ed performance with high dependability
into a lightweight package.
AMRAAM provides operational flexibili-
ty and multi-shot capability, and can be
launched day or night, in all weather. Its
autonomous guidance capability gives the
pilot critical range preserving launch and
leave aptitude, allowing for immediate
manoeuvre following missile launch, thus
providing faster engagement of follow-on
targets or the option to maximise separation
from the original threat.
AMRAAMs dual use (air and surface
launch) operational capabilities include
quick fly-out, robust immunity to counter-
measures, and better capability attacking
low-altitude targets and, to date, more than
25 countries have deployed AMRAAM, en-
riching interoperability, ensuring common-
ality, and helping to sustain strong overall
logistic support.
Phillip Lee
22
Eurofighter Typhoon moves to the front line
Armed and Dangerous
First flight with METEOR proved Eurofighter Typhoons ability to carry all
designated weapons for Air Defence
ASRAAM firing certification
has been achieved by
Eurofighter Typhoon
Air Superiority configuration including
AIM-9L Sidewinder
IRIS-T was handed over to the German
Air Force in December 2005
The RAF have conducted AMRAAM firing trials
issue 1 - 2006 eurofighter review
Performance is Key
Programme Advances
Through 2006
N DA1
Lands for the Last Time
N 2005
Programme Review
N Eurofighter Typhoon
Moves to the
Front Line
Eurofighter Typhoon Enters Final Stages of Flight Test
In February, the Eurofighter Flight Test
Team put Instrumented Production Aircraft
Three (IPA3) through several underwing
heavy load tests, with four Paveway II
bombs, three external fuel tanks, and a
complement of air-to-air missiles.
These tests come as Eurofighter Typhoon
opens the final chapter of the Main Develop-
ment Contract. The testing of the air-to-air
carefree handling Flight Control Software
(FCS) is almost finished, while the
remaining clearances for the Phase 4 FCS
will be finalised over the Summer. The final
stage of testing will be the validation of the
Phase 5 air-to-ground FCS. The software,
written by a Joint Team headed by EADS
Military Air Systems in Germany, will
undergo rigorous testing in all four Partner
Nations and will involve six aircraft from
the Flight Test fleet.
On conclusion, the final clearances for
the Full Operational Capability will be ex-
pected in 2007, followed by the availability
of the Phase 5 software to Block 5 aircraft.
The first Block 5 Eurofighter Typhoon is
already in final assembly in Germany, with
deliveries of this standard of aircraft to
begin in early 2007.
Eurofighter Typhoon IPA3 in under wing load tests as
aircraft development enters the final stages
p r o g r a m m e n e w s a n d f e a t u r e s