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Status Eurofighter Typhoon

Singapore/Munich, 01 February 2002

After production go-ahead given by the governments of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom in 1998, the manufacture and assembly of center fuselages for the first series production Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft are now well under way at EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company Military Aircraft in Germany. The same applies for the production progress at the partner companies Alenia Aerospazio (Italy), BAE Systems (UK) and EADS CASA of Spain, according to the agreed work-share (front and aft fuselages, wings). The first EADS-equipped production center fuselage has been delivered to the UK for final assembly in September 2000. In December 2000, EADS Military Aircraft started the final assembly for the first out of 180 aircraft for the German Air Force. In June 2001 final assembly for the first series production aircraft for the Spanish Air Force began in Getafe. The four European air forces will receive their Eurofighter aircraft from 2002 onwards.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, the world's most advanced fourth-generation combat aircraft, is a joint product of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, who have ordered 620 aircraft with 90 further options.

In total, more than 40 pilots from industry and the armed forces have now flown the seven development aircraft in more than 1.900 test flights with around 1.600 flying hours. Recent test program achievements included air-to-air refueling with Tornado fighter bombers, engine certification flying, live missile firings with AMRAAM and ASRAAM, bomb pit dropping, high-temperature environmental trials including the liquid conditioning system for air crews, and icing trials both on the ground and in the air. Other test highlights were electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC) trials, flights in autopilot/autothrottle modes with 1.000 and 1.500 litre external fuel tanks up to 50.000 feet altitude. The single-seat avionics aircraft DA 5, based at the EADS flight test center Manching in Germany, successfully carried out multiple simultaneous radar engagements. During March 2001, DA5 deployed to GAF Laage AFB, Northern Germany. In a multi-target scenario - depending on the test objective, the GAF had provided up to 20 MiG-29 or F4-F Phantom target aircraft - the CAPTOR radar demonstrated excellent performance in acquisition range and tracking accuracy.

These and previous test phases have proven the maturity of the most modern air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon system. The trials included missile firings and drop launches, and inflight-refuelling including long-range/endurance test flying for more than four hours. Ground tests like the major airframe fatigue test (MAFT) with 18.000 simulated flying hours - or three times the required 6.000 flying hours for the Eurofighter Typhoon production aircraft - have clearly shown the reliability of the aircraft structural design. The production standard of the EJ200 engine on March 8, 2001 received its certification after successful completion of the test program. The first series produced engines have already been delivered to the German and UK final assembly lines and were installed into the production aircraft. The advanced swing-role flying weapon system is characterized by excellent operational versatility and supreme combat efficiency, and its long in-service life combined with low cost of ownership.

With revenues amounting to EUR 30.8 billion and a workforce of 103,000, EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is the largest European aerospace company and the No 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds 80 percent of Airbus, 75 per cent of the space company Astrium, 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, 43 percent in the Eurofighter programme and 37,5 percent in the missile company MBDA.

Your contact:

Military Aircraft
Wolfram Wolff
Phone: ++49-89-607 25711
Fax: ++49-89-607 22455
e-mail: wolfram.wolff@m.eads.net