Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH and the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) signed a 300 million euros ($352 million) contract for the next phase of Eurofighter Typhoon capability enhancements.
The contract covers several components of the Typhoon fighter, such as operational improvements of the Meteor beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile, and the shift to new E-scan radar.
It also includes improvements to the system’s Brimstone precision air-to-surface operations, cockpit display formats, interoperability enhancements through the development of the MIDS Link 16, radio, and general improvements to the Defensive Aids Sub-System.
The deal involves the four Eurofighter Partner Companies: BAE Systems, Airbus Germany, Airbus Spain, and Leonardo.
Fantastic effort by all of the team. Next major Typhoon capability upgrade now underway with Eurofighter and our international partners. @RoyalAirForce pic.twitter.com/t7gi8ol2d4
— Air Vice-Marshal Linc Taylor (@LincTaylorRAF) August 6, 2021
Step Forward for Better Eurofighter
“This package of developments makes the weapon system performance more effective and versatile for our end users, with improvements to individual capabilities being rolled out across the whole fleet of M-Scan and E-Scan aircraft.” CEO of Eurofighter Herman Claesen said.
Additionally, the agreement lays the foundation for more developments to come in the future.
Ruediger Knoepfel of NETMA called the contract a “true team effort.”
“It is yet another important step in the development of Europe’s most successful ever aerospace program. This contract provides an important building block for further developments to come,” he said.
The Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is an advanced swing-role fighter aircraft that has simultaneously deployable air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons capabilities. Currently, the model is in service in nine countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.
The Typhoon has seen combat in Libya, Iraq, and Syria. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2 (approx: 1,522 mph/2,447 kph), and a maximum altitude of 55,000 ft (16,764m). It is 15.96m (52.36ft) long with a wingspan of 10.95m (35.92ft). Its two Eurojet EJ200 engines each have a thrust power of 90kN.
