The Eurofighter:Origins

The Eurofighter has Supercruise capability

The Eurofighter in free Flight

     The Eurofighter 2000, or Eurofighter Typhoon as it's now known is a multinational effort by a number of European nations to produce a leading edge fighter aircraft for the next century.It was built by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers through Eurofighter GmbH which was formed in 1986.The project has been dogged by political problems from the start which in turn have played a significant role in its delayed service entry date. Originally scheduled to enter service in the late 80's the first fighter was scheduled to fly only before the end of 2001.
     Given the changing world situation and the availability of excellent cheap Russian aircraft, the Typhoon could not have arrived at a better time. And whatever it's critics may suggest the aircraft is anything but a failure.   
      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.It is a twin engine multi-role canard delta strike fighter.
      Eurofighter is a twin-engine, agile combat aircraft which will be used in the air-to-air, air-to-ground and tactical reconnaissance roles. The design of Eurofighter Typhoon is optimised for air dominance performance with high instantaneous and sustained turn rates, and specific excess power. Special emphasis has been placed on low wing loading, high thrust to weight ratio, excellent all round vision and carefree handling. The use of Stealth technology is incorporated throughout the aircraft’s basic design.

The Eurofighter is a 4.5th Generation Aircraft

The EuroFighter:Variants in series Production

The Eurofighter T1

Typhoon T1
The Typhoon will replace the RAF's Tornado F3 (fighter) and Jaguar (ground attack) forces.
The first Typhoon T1 is one of the Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) and remains part of the BAE fleet. The aircraft's maiden flight was on April 15 2002.
On June 27 2004 two RAF T1s left Warton bound for Singapore. This is the longest deployment of the Typhoon and the first outside Europe. While the Eurofighter development fleet was exhaustively tested for operations in extreme climates this provided operational experience of such deployments.

Typhoon T1A
The Typhoon T1 is a tranche 1, batch 1 twin seat trainer.

Typhoon F2
The F2 is the single seat fighter variant. The first F2 is IPA5 and also remains with BAE, its first flight was June 6 2002.

The UK agreed to approve production of "Tranche 2" in December 2004, this tranche will see the RAF receive a further 89 aircraft, bringing its Typhoon inventory to 144. This followed protracted negotiations regarding the early introduction of ground attack capabilities of the aircraft and hence its swing-role capability. While this was always planned it was intended to come at a much later date.

In 2001, it was announced that the Royal Air Force (RAF) would not use the aircraft's internal 27 mm Mauser cannon. This was due to a desire to save money by removing gun support costs, ammunition stocks, training costs, etc. The gun was also deemed unnecessary since the missile armament was believed to be adequate in the Typhoon's fighter role. However, because removal of the cannon would affect the aircraft's flight characteristics, requiring modification of the aircraft's flight software the RAF decided that all of its Typhoons would be fitted with the cannon but that it would not be used or supported. The service argued that this would save money by reducing the requirement for ground equipment, removing training costs and avoiding the fatigue effects of firing the cannon. The RAF maintained the option to activate the cannons at very short notice were operational requirements to change.However in a third change of policy, the Daily Telegraph reported in October 2006 that the RAF will fully utilise the cannon

The Eurofighter:The Cutting Edge

The Eurofighter:Cockpit(inactive)

***** The Eurofighter:Countermeasure Diagram
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.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.

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 cockpit has three multi-function colour Head-Down Displays (MHDD) which show the tactical situation, systems status and EADS digital map displays.

Technical information
Intended service life of 6,000 hours or 25 years. Maintainability features include a single engine change by four engineers in 45 minutes and an operational turn-round by six ground crew in 25 minutes.

Power Plant
Two Eurojet EJ200 advanced technology turbofans each of approximately 60 kN (13,490 lb st) dry and 90 kN (20,250 lb) nominal thrust with afterburning, mounted side by side in the rear fuselage with ventral intakes. The first two development aircraft were originally powered by two Turbo-Union RB199-122 (Mk 104E) afterburning turbofans (each more than 71.2 kN or 16,000 lb st). Both aircraft were retrofitted with EJ200s in 1998. 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.

Fuel
The internal fuel capacity is classified, but believed to total approximately 5,700 litres in two fuselage tanks and two integral wing tanks. The two-seat trainer lacks the forward transfer tank, but partly offsets the loss of capacity with an auxiliary tank in the enlarged spine. Provision for in-flight refuelling and up to three suspended, external fuel tanks: two 1,000 litre or 2,000 litre underwing, plus one 1,000 litre centreline tank. Only the smaller tanks are rated for supersonic flight. The conformal tanks can be installed or removed in 75 minutes.

Accommodation
Pilot(s) on a Martin-Baker Mk 16A zero/zero ejection seat(s). Single-piece Aerospace Composite windscreen and single-piece, rear-hinged canopy on both versions. Optional liquid-cooled vest for pilot. Helmet-mounted display. The Anti-g trousers are augmented by a pressure breathing system

     
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.
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.

The Eurofighter:Role based Armament Configurations

***** Defence Suppression Armament configuration

***** Airstrike/Interdictor Configuration

***** Air to Air/Surface Attack Configuration

***** Close Air Support Armament Configuration

    A total of 13 external stores stations: Internally mounted 27 mm Mauser gun on starboard side with 150 rounds.
    Planned weapons (with maximum load in parentheses) include:
Air-to-air: Meteor (six), AIM-120 AMRAAM (six), ERAAM (six), FMRAAM (six), AIM-9L Sidewinder (six), ASRAAM (six) and IRIS-T (six).

Air-to-air surface: ALARM (six), Penguin (four), Harpoon (four), Brimstone (18), Taurus, Storm Shadow, GBU-10 (four), GBU-16 (four), Paveway III (three), CRV-7 (four pods of 19 rockets each), 500 lb bombs (12) and reduced quantity of larger weapons up to 2,000 lb Mk 84 (four).

Typical weapon combinations for specific roles could include the following:
Air superiority: Six BVRAAMs, two SRAAMs, internal cannon, plus two 2,000 litre and one 1,000 litre external fuel tanks.

Interdictor/Strike: Two cruise missiles; four BVRAAMs, internal cannon plus two 1,500 litre and one 1,000 litre tanks.
[Air Interdiction - capable of delivering a large payload over long distances, by day or night. Multiple, flexible sensors coupled with passive modes of delivery, and the retention of a full air-to-air fit ensure a formidable weapon system]

Defence suppression: Six ARMs, four BVRAAMs, two SRAAMs, internal cannon and centreline 1,000 litre tank.
[Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) - the combination of pinpoint navigational accuracy, highly sophisticated onboard sensors and dedicated 'fire and forget' weapons, ensure effective targeting of enemy air defences]

Multirole: Two Paveway LGBs, two ARMs, three BVRAAMs, two bs, internal cannon, laser designation pod and two 2,000 litre and one 1,000 litre tanks.

Close air support: Eighteen Brimstones, four BVRAAMs, two SRAAMs, internal cannon and one 1,000 litre centreline tank.
[Close Air Support - ability to remain on task for long periods. Its sophisticated sensor suite allows close co-ordination with ground commanders, and the identification of individual targets]

Maritime attack: Six ASMs, four BVRAAMs, two SRAAMs, internal cannon and one 1,000 litre centreline tank.
[Maritime Attack - dedicated radar modes and datalink enable Eurofighter Typhoon to operate autonomously, or as part of an offensive force]

[Quick Reference]
  i)Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile:ASRAAM
  ii)The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile(AMRAAM) commonly known to air crews as the Slammer, is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) capable of all weather day and night performance.
 iii)The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. It is named after the Sidewinder snake, which detects its prey via body heat and also because of the peculiar snake-like path of flight the early versions had when launched.
 iv)ALARM (Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile) is a British anti-radiation missile designed to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD).
  v)IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) is a German-led program to develop a short-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Any aircraft capable of carrying and firing Sidewinder will be capable of launching IRIS-T.
 vi)MBDA is a European arms company which manufactures missiles and is the result of the 2001 merger of Aérospatiale-Matra Missiles (of EADS), Alenia Marconi Systems' missile divisions and Matra BAe Dynamics.

The Eurofighter:General Specs.

The Mauser BK-27 Cannon

The Eurofighter has a nominal Combat thrust of ~40500lbs

The Eurofighter:Armed with Air to Air Missiles

Crew: 1 or 2

DIMENSIONS
Length: 15.96 m (52 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 10.95 m (35 ft 11 in)
Height: 5.28 m (17 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 51.2 m²(551.1 ft² )
Empty weight: 11 000 kg (24,250 lb)
Loaded weight: 15 550 kg (34,280 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 23 500 kg (51,809 lb)

Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 2390 km/h at high altitude; Mach 1.2, 1470 km/h at sea level; (1,480 mph;915 mph) supercruise Mach 1.3+ at altitude with typical air-to-air  armament

Range: 1390 km (864 mi)
Ferry range :3790 km (2,300 mi)
Runway Requirement :700m
Service ceiling: 18300 m (60,000 ft )
Rate of climb: >315 m/s (62,007 ft/min)
Wing loading: 311 kg/m² (63.7 lb/ft²)


Armament:The Typhoon has 13 external stations for weapons and fuel( five (including one wet) under the fuselage and four (including one wet) under each wing), 4 on each wing and 5 on the fuselage with a total payload of some 6500kg (this may now be 7500kg+)
Gun: 1x 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon
                       Like the rest of the aircraft, reducing both the drag and Radar Cross Section were a consideration in the placement of the hardpoints and pylons. All wing mounted missiles are launched from GEC developed missile pylons, or Wing Pylon Station Units (WPSU).        
Air-to-Air missiles:
  1)AIM-9 Sidewinder
  2)AIM-132 ASRAAM*
  3) AIM-120 AMRAAM**
  4) IRIS-T and in the future MBDA Meteor
[*The two outboard-most rails are for the exclusive use of Short Range Air to Air Missiles (SRAAMs)]
[**In addition to the wing pylons there are four conformal recessed troughs under the fuselage for the exclusive use of Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (MRAAMs). These mounts were designed for an AMRAAM class missile but the front two stations can accept both the British Sky Flash and Italian Aspide systems]
Air-to-Ground missiles:
1)AGM-84 Harpoon
2)AGM-88 HARM
3)ALARMs
4)Storm Shadow (AKA "Scalp EG")
5)Brimstone, Taurus, Penguin
    and in the future AGM Armiger
[In total the basic Typhoon configuration can carry, in various combinations, up to 10 missiles, two more than the U.S. F-22 Raptor and the same as an Su-35/30 in basic configurations]
Bombs: Paveway 2, Paveway 3, Enhanced Paveway, JDAM
Laser designator, e.g. LISTENING pod

Operators of the Eurofighter Typhoon

         The series production of the Eurofighter Typhoon is now underway and the aircraft has formally entered service with the Italian Air Force and with the Spanish Air Force. 'Initial Operational Capability' is expected to be declared by Germany and the United Kingdom. Austria has purchased 18 Typhoons, while Saudi Arabia signed a contract on 18 August 2006 for 72 to be built by BAE Systems.
           In February 1999 Greece announced its decision to open discussions with Eurofighter with the intention to purchase between 60 and 90 fighters. Unfortunately while Greece had continued to commit itself to its announced purchase it had postponed any contract signing till after the Olympic games in 2004.Rumour has it, the interest has recently been reaffirmed.
In February 1999 Norway requested Eurofighter GmbH to officially bid for its requirement of around 20 fighters, in addition Lockheed Martin were asked to bid with the F-16 (the Rafale and Gripen having been ruled out). As with the Greek bid tight economics caused Norway to subsequently cancel the bidding process. Instead they have announced an intention to re-open bidding at some future point for 48 to 60 units.
The third potential customer, South Korea which looked set to select either Rafale or the F-15K,chose to go the way of the F-15K after receiving a batch of 40.
           Other potential customers of the Typhoon are India,Denmark, Norway, Pakistan, Japan, Romania and Turkey.
           In March 2007, Jane's Information Group reported that the Typhoon was the favourite to win the contest for Japan's next-generation fighter requirement. Currently the other competitors are the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15E Strike Eagle

The future of Typhoon

    Even though development of the entry level Eurofighter is now nearing completion there are a number of system-wide upgrades either planned or underway. For example the ECR-90 will go through a series of upgrades improving resolution and ECCM before finally it is replaced with an all new solid-state phased array, AMSAR. The EJ200 powerplants also have the capability to be upgraded in both the area of increased thrust and the fitting of a newly designed 3D thrust vectoring control system. These are combined with a contractual requirement that the Typhoon be capable of 100% growth in avionics bus data traffic, 10% growth of equipment fit and a 25% increase in power demands.
    Beyond specific upgrades there are several other projects underway which may result in Eurofighter being used in additional roles. In the UK there are currently two future aircraft projects underway, FOAS or the Future Offensive Air System to replace the IDS Tornado's and FJCA ( Future Joint Combat Aircraft)to replace RN and RAF Harrier's. Of these FOAS, a system intended to replace the Tornado IDS in use by Britain, Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia is the least likely to evolve directly from the Eurofighter. Although BAe have said that a big wing Eurofighter study is underway which may be submitted as a FOAS solution it is very unlikely such a platform would meet demands on all aspect stealth.
     The second application, FJCA was a more promising project. The biggest issues in this case are strengthening the landing gear and fuselage to allow arrested recovery of the aircraft and the marinisation of certain potential areas of corrosion. In the case of the former BAE Systems devised some novel solutions. For take-off the Typhoon's excellent short field performance combined with a ski jump ramp should allow for relatively short deck take-offs, removing the need for catapults. For recovery a number of studies were carried out, for example one looked at the use of fans to blow air across the deck while the aircraft lands. This would decrease the required landing velocity and therefore reduce the forces on the aircraft fuselage upon arrest. Other investigations examined linking the Typhoon's FCS to the pitch and roll of the carrier. This would allow automated flared landings to be carried out again reducing stresses on the aircraft.