FIA2024 – Eurofighter Typhoon reborn
At FIA2024, Eurofighter’s CEO Giancarlo Mezzanatto announced the resurgence of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. He highlighted the recent sales, 24 for Italy, 20 tranche 5 for Germany and talks are ongoing with Spain for 25 for its Halcon II programme. He also confirmed that there is strong interest in the Eurofighter from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Poland
A total of 680 have been ordered to date with 606 delivered to nine nations. Mezzanatto outlined the reasons why the Eurofighter Typhoon is fighter of choice. Firstly, considering operational missions carried out by customer’s nations air forces, 80% of those are carried out by the Eurofighter. Secondly the Enhancement Package 4 (P4E) and the Long Term Evolution programme will provide Typhoon with powerful sensors, active and passive, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, the integration of new weapons, more advanced data processing capacity and an evolution of the cockpit and human machine interface.
Bearing in mind the conflict in Ukraine, he said that it is up to the UK and Europe to strengthen their defence industries and the impact of four partner nations of this will encourage potential customers to buy European, not American.
BAE Systems are introducing the MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), the Striker 2 helmet, and large area display and five generation sensor fusion and triple store carriers are under development. The next generation RAF Typhoons will include the Typhoon Total Availability eNterprise (TyTAN) which will introduce new ways of working to reduce the costs of operating the fleet by more than a third.
A programme of ground-based testing has been completed on a Eurofighter Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft equipped with the advanced new European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radar ahead of flight trials that will take place at BAE Systems’s flight testing facility at Warton by the end of July 2024.
The work was undertaken by BAE Systems engineers supported by teams from Leonardo UK, which has developed the radar. This included electromagnetic testing in a unique anechoic chamber. The radar, contracted by the UK MoD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment and Support, will support RAF operations in the most challenging situations, equipping pilots with the ability to suppress enemy air defences (SEAD) using high-powered jamming and engage targets whilst beyond the reach of threats.
The introduction of the P4E defensive aids sub-system (DASS) plus ECRS 2 and digital processors and receivers are designed to keep pace with enemy threats by 2029. Testing will begin on 2Exel’s Excalibur Typhoon flight test bed, a modified Boeing 757, later this year. The DASS eVo will provide a software architecture designed for agility, consistently providing the most up-to-date digital information to ensure maximum platform protection and will be available for upgrades of exiting aircraft as well and new build Eurofighters.
The Typhoon’s life will be extended to 2060 which means that the long term evolution of Eurofighter has to be guaranteed. Giancarlo Mezzanatto said it is not the case of having Typhoon or a sixth generation fighter, the reality is that European forces will need both systems to provide a meaningful air defence.
Photos courtesy BAE Systems and D. Oliver
