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Eurofighter Typhoon Eurofighter
Typhoon
Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
The European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) program began in 1983 when France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK agreed to develop a common air superiority fighter for the 21st century. France eventually pulled out of the program, as Germany almost did in 1992. Having survived numerous disagreements over workshares since that time, the effort finally culminated in the development of the Eurofighter 2000. Built jointly by British Aerospace (now BAE Systems), DASA, CASA, and Alenia, the aircraft was later rechristened simply as the Eurofighter. The plane has also been dubbed the Typhoon primarily for the export market.
The Typhoon is optimized for the air defense mission but also has a secondary ground attack capability. With its powerful advanced engines and canards, the aircraft is highly manueverable and capable of short takeoffs and landings. Despite significant delays due to escalating costs and political problems, the prototype EF2000 first flew in March 1994 and began entering service in 2003.
Construction of the Typhoon has been divided over three major production runs known as tranches. Each tranche is intended to incorporate major changes in the production configuration while adding new capabilities to the aircraft. Further upgrades, primarily in software, are added as blocks or batches. Typhoon Tranch 1 entered production in 2002 with air-to-air capability achieved under Block 2. Full compatability with air-to-ground weapons was implemented in Block 5. Development of Tranche 2 is now underway during which the Block 8 upgrade replaces older and obsolescent systems to support integrating future weapons on the Eurofighter.
The most controversial is Tranche 3 originally intended to integrate better engines, conformal fuel tanks, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. These upgrades have since been significantly scaled back or cancelled outright leading some partners to question building Tranche 3 at all. If development does continue, the final Typhoon tranche should enter production around 2012.
Some 700 total Eurofighter Typhoons are currently planned, including 232 for the UK, 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, and 87 for Spain. Austria has placed an order for 15 and Saudi Arabia is due to receive 72, but an order from Greece for 60 Typhoons was cancelled in 2004. About 157 of the planned production run are to be Tranche 1 models while 284 are Tranche 2 and 260 are Tranche 3. Unfortunately, rising costs and involvement in the F-35 program have led both the UK and Italy to question their commitments to Tranche 3. Should these nations significantly cut their Typhoon orders, it is possible Tranche 3 may be cancelled causing a significant cost increase of Tranche 2 aircraft.
These financial conflicts as well as the inability of the partner nations to agree on specific upgrades in each tranche have also damaged sales prospects to some export customers. The Typhoon has so far been unsuccessful in marketing attempts to Singapore and South Korea, but Japan is interested given America's unwillingness to sell the F-22. The Eurofighter consortium is also actively pursuing sales to other nations in Europe and Asia such as Norway, Denmark, Romania, India, and Pakistan.
Last modified 08 February 2008

HISTORY:

First Flight 29 March 1994

Service Entry June 2003

CREW:

(fighter) one: pilot
(operational trainer) two: student pilot, instructor pilot

ESTIMATED COST: $122 million [2007$]

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length 52.38 ft (15.96 m)

Wingspan 34.46 ft (10.50 m)

Height 17.33 ft (5.28 m)

Wing Area 551.1 ft² (51.2 m²)

Canard Area

25.83 ft² (2.40 m²)

WEIGHTS:

Empty 22,045 lb (10,000 kg)

Typical Load 32,280 lb (15,550 kg)

Max Takeoff 46,295 lb (21,000 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: 8,820 lb (4,000 kg)
external: two 395 gal (1,500 L) and one 265 gal (1,000 L) tanks

Max Payload

14,300 lb (6,500 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant two Eurojet EJ2000 afterburning turbofans

Thrust

26,980 lb (120 kN)
40,500 lb (180 kN) with afterburner

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) at 36,090 ft (11,000 m), Mach 2.0
at sea level: unknown

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling unknown

Range typical: 2,000 nm (3,700 km)
ferry: unknown

g-Limits +9.0 / -3.0

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 27-mm Mauser cannon

Stations thirteen external hardpoints

Air-to-Air Missile AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Apside, ASRAAM, IRIS-T, Meteor

Air-to-Surface Missile Storm Shadow, ALARM, Brimstone, Taurus

Bomb 500-kg GP, 1,000-kg GP, GBU-24 LGB, Paveway II/III/IV, BL755 cluster

Other ECM pods, reconnaissance pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

EAP Experimental Aircraft Program funded by the UK and built by British Aerospace based on its Agile Combat Aircraft (ACA) research, served as testbed for Eurofighter systems

EFA Designation for the original Eurofighter design which was cancelled due to high costs

DA1 to DA7 Development Aircraft prototypes testing numerous engine and avionics configurations

IPA1 to IPA7 Instrumented Production Aircraft built to a production standard configuration to test systems for the Series Production Aircraft

Tranche 1 Initial production version; 157 to be built (Austria: 15, Germany: 44, Italy: 29, Spain: 20, UK: 55)

Block 1 First production version of Tranche 1 providing initial operational capability

Block 2 Software upgrade providing improved air-to-air capability

Block 2B Software upgrade providing full air-to-air capability

Block 5 Software upgrade supporting ground attack duties and achieving full operational capability, older aircraft were retrofitted to this standard

Tranche 2 Second major version now entering production; 284 planned (Germany: 68, Italy: 46, Saudi Arabia: 48, Spain: 33, UK: 89)

Block 8 Upgrade to replace mission computers required for advanced weapons like Storm Shadow and Meteor as well as replace other obsolescent equipment

Block 10 Upgrade to several avionics systems and adding compatability with new weapons including AMRAAM, IRIS-T, laser-guided bombs and GPS-guided weapons

Block 15 Expected to add compatibility with Storm Shadow, Taurus, Brimstone, and Meteor missiles

Block 20 Future spiral development

Tranche 3 Third major production version that may introduce a new radar; 260 planned (Germany: 68, Italy: 46, Saudi Arabia: 24, Spain: 34, UK: 88)

C.16 Typhoon Spanish designation for the Typhoon

Typhoon T.1
Typhhon T.1A Two-seat trainers in the RAF, T.1A models use a modified fuel system

Typhoon F.2 Single-seat Tranche 1 fighter model in the RAF

Typhoon F.3 Two-seat Tranche 1 Block 5 or later fighters in the RAF

Typhoon FGR.4

Single-seat Tranche 1 Block 5 or later fighters in the RAF capable of fighter, ground attack, or reconnaissance missions

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: none

KNOWN OPERATORS: Austria, Östereichische Luftstreitkräfte (Austrian Air Force)
Germany, Deutsche Luftwaffe (German Air Force)
Italy, Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Italian Air Force)
Saudi Arabia, Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya as Sa'udiya (Royal Saudi Air Force)
Spain, Ejército del Aire Española (Spanish Air Force)
United Kingdom (Royal Air Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Eurofighter Typhoon

SOURCES:

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 380-381, Eurofighter 2000.

Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 187-192, Eurofighter European Fighter Aircraft 2000.

FAS Eurofighter 2000 site

Global Security Eurofighter Typhoon site

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 116, Eurofighter EF-2000.

Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 176, Eurofighter 2000.

Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 184-185, Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon.

Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 114-115, Eurofighter 2000.

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 54, Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon.

Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 54-59, Eurofighter EF 2000 Typhoon.

Spohrer, Jennifer and Frase, Tuesday. Jane's Combat Simulations: ATF Gold Users Manual. San Mateo, CA: Electronic Arts, 1997, p. 9.7-9.10.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 159-160, Eurofighter 2000.

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 137-139, Eurofighter (RAF Typhoon).

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DESCRIPTION: The European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) program began in 1983 when France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK agreed to develop a common air superiority fighter for the 21st century. France eventually pulled out of the program, as Germany almost did in 1992. Having survived numerous disagreements over workshares since that time, the effort finally culminated in the development of the Eurofighter 2000. Built jointly by British Aerospace (now BAE Systems), DASA, CASA, and Alenia, the aircraft was later rechristened simply as the Eurofighter. The plane has also been dubbed the Typhoon primarily for the export market. The Typhoon is optimized for the air defense mission but also has a secondary ground attack capability. With its powerful advanced engines and canards, the aircraft is highly manueverable and capable of short takeoffs and landings. Despite significant delays due to escalating costs and political problems, the prototype EF2000 first flew in March 1994 and began entering service in 2003. Construction of the Typhoon has been divided over three major production runs known as tranches. Each tranche is intended to incorporate major changes in the production configuration while adding new capabilities to the aircraft. Further upgrades, primarily in software, are added as blocks or batches. Typhoon Tranch 1 entered production in 2002 with air-to-air capability achieved under Block 2. Full compatability with air-to-ground weapons was implemented in Block 5. Development of Tranche 2 is now underway during which the Block 8 upgrade replaces older and obsolescent systems to support integrating future weapons on the Eurofighter. The most controversial is Tranche 3 originally intended to integrate better engines, conformal fuel tanks, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. These upgrades have since been significantly scaled back or cancelled outright leading some partners to question building Tranche 3 at all. If development does continue, the final Typhoon tranche should enter production around 2012. Some 700 total Eurofighter Typhoons are currently planned, including 232 for the UK, 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, and 87 for Spain. Austria has placed an order for 15 and Saudi Arabia is due to receive 72, but an order from Greece for 60 Typhoons was cancelled in 2004. About 157 of the planned production run are to be Tranche 1 models while 284 are Tranche 2 and 260 are Tranche 3. Unfortunately, rising costs and involvement in the F-35 program have led both the UK and Italy to question their commitments to Tranche 3. Should these nations significantly cut their Typhoon orders, it is possible Tranche 3 may be cancelled causing a significant cost increase of Tranche 2 aircraft. These financial conflicts as well as the inability of the partner nations to agree on specific upgrades in each tranche have also damaged sales prospects to some export customers. The Typhoon has so far been unsuccessful in marketing attempts to Singapore and South Korea, but Japan is interested given America's unwillingness to sell the F-22. The Eurofighter consortium is also actively pursuing sales to other nations in Europe and Asia such as Norway, Denmark, Romania, India, and Pakistan. Last modified 08 February 2008
HISTORY:
First Flight	29 March 1994
Service Entry	June 2003
CREW:	(fighter) one: pilot (operational trainer) two: student pilot, instructor pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	$122 million [2007$]
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	52.38 ft (15.96 m)
Wingspan	34.46 ft (10.50 m)
Height	17.33 ft (5.28 m)
Wing Area	551.1 ft² (51.2 m²)
Canard Area	25.83 ft² (2.40 m²)
WEIGHTS:
Empty	22,045 lb (10,000 kg)
Typical Load	32,280 lb (15,550 kg)
Max Takeoff	46,295 lb (21,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: 8,820 lb (4,000 kg) external: two 395 gal (1,500 L) and one 265 gal (1,000 L) tanks
Max Payload	14,300 lb (6,500 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two Eurojet EJ2000 afterburning turbofans
Thrust	26,980 lb (120 kN) 40,500 lb (180 kN) with afterburner
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) at 36,090 ft (11,000 m), Mach 2.0 at sea level: unknown
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	unknown
Range	typical: 2,000 nm (3,700 km) ferry: unknown
g-Limits	+9.0 / -3.0
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 27-mm Mauser cannon
Stations	thirteen external hardpoints
Air-to-Air Missile	AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Apside, ASRAAM, IRIS-T, Meteor
Air-to-Surface Missile	Storm Shadow, ALARM, Brimstone, Taurus
Bomb	500-kg GP, 1,000-kg GP, GBU-24 LGB, Paveway II/III/IV, BL755 cluster
Other	ECM pods, reconnaissance pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
EAP	Experimental Aircraft Program funded by the UK and built by British Aerospace based on its Agile Combat Aircraft (ACA) research, served as testbed for Eurofighter systems
EFA	Designation for the original Eurofighter design which was cancelled due to high costs
DA1 to DA7	Development Aircraft prototypes testing numerous engine and avionics configurations
IPA1 to IPA7	Instrumented Production Aircraft built to a production standard configuration to test systems for the Series Production Aircraft
Tranche 1	Initial production version; 157 to be built (Austria: 15, Germany: 44, Italy: 29, Spain: 20, UK: 55)
Block 1	First production version of Tranche 1 providing initial operational capability
Block 2	Software upgrade providing improved air-to-air capability
Block 2B	Software upgrade providing full air-to-air capability
Block 5	Software upgrade supporting ground attack duties and achieving full operational capability, older aircraft were retrofitted to this standard
Tranche 2	Second major version now entering production; 284 planned (Germany: 68, Italy: 46, Saudi Arabia: 48, Spain: 33, UK: 89)
Block 8	Upgrade to replace mission computers required for advanced weapons like Storm Shadow and Meteor as well as replace other obsolescent equipment
Block 10	Upgrade to several avionics systems and adding compatability with new weapons including AMRAAM, IRIS-T, laser-guided bombs and GPS-guided weapons
Block 15	Expected to add compatibility with Storm Shadow, Taurus, Brimstone, and Meteor missiles
Block 20	Future spiral development
Tranche 3	Third major production version that may introduce a new radar; 260 planned (Germany: 68, Italy: 46, Saudi Arabia: 24, Spain: 34, UK: 88)
C.16 Typhoon	Spanish designation for the Typhoon
Typhoon T.1 Typhhon T.1A	Two-seat trainers in the RAF, T.1A models use a modified fuel system
Typhoon F.2	Single-seat Tranche 1 fighter model in the RAF
Typhoon F.3	Two-seat Tranche 1 Block 5 or later fighters in the RAF
Typhoon FGR.4	Single-seat Tranche 1 Block 5 or later fighters in the RAF capable of fighter, ground attack, or reconnaissance missions
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Austria, Östereichische Luftstreitkräfte (Austrian Air Force) Germany, Deutsche Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Italy, Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Italian Air Force) Saudi Arabia, Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya as Sa'udiya (Royal Saudi Air Force) Spain, Ejército del Aire Española (Spanish Air Force) United Kingdom (Royal Air Force)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 380-381, Eurofighter 2000. Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 187-192, Eurofighter European Fighter Aircraft 2000. FAS Eurofighter 2000 site Global Security Eurofighter Typhoon site Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 116, Eurofighter EF-2000. Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 176, Eurofighter 2000. Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 184-185, Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon. Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 114-115, Eurofighter 2000. Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 54, Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon. Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 54-59, Eurofighter EF 2000 Typhoon. Spohrer, Jennifer and Frase, Tuesday. Jane's Combat Simulations: ATF Gold Users Manual. San Mateo, CA: Electronic Arts, 1997, p. 9.7-9.10. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 159-160, Eurofighter 2000. Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 137-139, Eurofighter (RAF Typhoon).