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BAE SYSTEMS tests eurofighter typhoon conformal tank

16 May 2002

The first wind tunnel tests of the Eurofighter Typhoon conformal fuel tank design have successfully been completed in the high-speed wind tunnel at BAE Systems, Warton UK, using a scale model of the aircraft.

The tanks, which have a capacity of approximately 1,500 litres each could extend the range of the aircraft in excess of 25% - a major selling point in the export market, and a vital element in developing Eurofighter Typhoon's air-to-ground capability.

Work on the Eurofighter Typhoon conformal tanks is the responsibility of a partnership between BAE Systems and GKN Engage of Australia.

Commenting on this significant milestone, Steve Cain, Eurofighter Tranche 3 Airframe Team Leader at BAE Systems said: 'The new design of conformal fuel tank offers a major enhancement to an already world beating aircraft. To extend the range, which is key to certain export markets including Australia, by around 25 percent with little affect to the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft is a tremendous achievement.'

A full-scale replica of Eurofighter Typhoon with conformal fuel tanks will be displayed in the BAE Systems Presentation Area at the Farnborough Airshow in July.

Photographs of the wind tunnel model are available from; paul.h.earnshaw@baesystems.com
About Eurofighter Typhoon:

The Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft, developed by the leading aerospace companies, Alenia Aerospazio, BAE Systems and EADS, of the four partner countries, Italy, the UK, Germany and Spain. Eurofighter Typhoon features unrivalled technology, designed for the defence needs of the next century.

Agile and highly manoeuvrable, the twin-engine Eurofighter Typhoon is designed to operate from hastily prepared bases and small runways for worldwide operations. It is equipped with an advanced multi-mode radar and an extensive range of sensors and electronic countermeasures.

The aircraft's ability to gain air superiority beyond visual range (BVR) and in close combat, and at the same time deliver high sortie rates against air, naval and ground targets in all weathers with a variety of weapons, demands close attention to pilot workload. In Eurofighter the pilot flies through use of a computerised flight control system, which offers full carefree handling.

A strong emphasis has been placed on reducing cost of ownership in addition to outstanding performance and flight safety. Reliability, low cost of maintenance and a sophisticated on-board testing system ensure ease of day to day management and through life costs. Eurofighter Typhoon is less expensive to run than the generation of aircraft it is designed to replace.

The Eurofighter partner nations will take delivery of 620 aircraft: 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, 87 for Spain and 232 for the United Kingdom.