Eurofighter Typhoon

18:12 GMT, May 23, 2008 Hallbergmoos/ILA Berlin | Eurofighter Typhoon has the largest order book and series production in the fighter aircraft market. 707 weapon systems under contract is an indisputable fact that leaves the competition trailing. Backed up by the analysts at Forecast International, this unbeatable statistic reflects the market now and for the foreseeable future.

Fact! 146 aircraft delivered to five Air Forces, Eurofighter Typhoon is the first line of European air defence.

Fact! 39,000 in-service flying hours in ten units across Europe demonstrates operator confidence in the weapon system and its flexibility in satisfying the varying and exacting demands of the Air Forces.

Fact! Two export contracts secured, with the first nation, Austria, due to follow the lead of the four core Air Forces and place Eurofighter Typhoon on air surveillance duties this Summer.

Aloysius Rauen, CEO Eurofighter GmbH, comments: “As the ILA Berlin airshow opens, the Eurofighter programme finds itself in very strong position. All Tranche 1 aircraft to the core Air Forces have been delivered. The first Tranche 2 Eurofighter Typhoon joined the Test & Evaluation programme earlier in 2008. Some 40 aircraft from the second Tranche are already in final assembly. The work on the Type Acceptance process, the enabler for further capabilities to the customer, is underway with first handovers scheduled for Summer. The proposals for Tranche 3 were delivered on deadline in December 2007 and the authorisation process for the third Tranche is ongoing.

The Air Forces are beginning to exploit the full potential of the weapon system. The first four nation exercise was hosted by the Spanish Air Force in March and highlighted the benefits of Eurofighter Typhoon’s interoperability. The nations continuously base their air defence on Eurofighter Typhoon. ”

The Flight Test teams across the programme are delivering capability at pace. The conclusion of AMRAAM firing tests in February means that all required weapons for operation with Tranche 1 are now cleared, including AIM-9L, ASRAAM, AMRAAM and Iris-T for air-to-air combat, and Paveway II (UK), Enhanced Paveway II, GBU-10 and GBU-16 for air-to-ground tasks. In addition, the Combined Test Team, comprising representatives from BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force, has finalised the integration work on the Laser Designator Pod. This enhanced air-to-ground capability for British Tranche 1 aircraft has been recently praised internally by the Royal Air Force as being the “best we have”.

Aloysius Rauen: “The facts speak for themselves. Eurofighter Typhoon really is going from strength to strength. Flexible, capable and with an inherent growth potential – nothing comes close.”

The Eurofighter presence at ILA features a Business Pavilian showcasing the Cockpit Demonstrator (EOC standard) and a host of technology exhibits reflecting the advanced nature of the aircraft. In the flying display, project pilots from Military Air Systems, a business unit of EADS Defence & Security, will enthrall the spectators with an eye-catching routine in a German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon.