EuroFighter Typhoon / EF2000
The first flight of the prototype Eurofighter Typhoon took place on March 27, 1994, when Messerchmitt-Bülkow-Blohm (MBB) chief test pilot Peter Weger took the prototype on a test flight around Bavaria. The basic configuration is reminiscent of the British Aerospace (BAe) EAP agile combat aircraft demonstrator, which flew back in August, 1986. In fact, the EAP was used to test many Eurofighter systems before final configuration of the latter plane was decided. (The relationship is similar to the F-17 and F/A-18, where the basic planform is the same but many design changes were made.)
The EuroFighter, formerly known as the EF2000, is built by a consortium made up of BAe (UK), MBB and Dornier (Germany), Aeritalia (Italy), and CASA (Spain). It was initially designed for air-superiority and air defense roles, but a changing world situation has also resulted in an emphasis on excellent air-to-surface capabilities as well.
The STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft has a fundamentally unstable aerodynamic design; while this requires computer assistance for stable flight, gives the Eurofighter superior agility. Two Eurojet EJ200 advanced technology turbofans each provide 20,250 pounds of afterburning thrust; with a maximum take-off weight of 37,480 pounds fully loaded, this means the Eurofighter has power to spare. Although it's not actually a stealth aircraft, careful shaping and use of composites and low-detectability technologies (the airframe surface is only 15 % metal) means the Eurofighter is extremely light and has a much smaller radar profile than 1980s-era fighters.
The fly-by-wire control system ensures the pilot can't stall or overstress the plane, and there's even a button that will automatically return the plane to a wing-level, nose-up attitude if the pilot becomes disoriented after a high-G maneuver. All important switches are mounted on the throttle or stick, giving the Eurofighter true HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) control. Three panel-mounted MFDs are supplemented by a HUD and a helmet-mounted sight for aiming ASRAAM missiles.
Analysts generally agree that the only fighter with a demonstrable superiority to the Eurofighter is the American F22, which costs twice as much and doesn't have the EF2000's air-to-surface capability.
TypeEurofighter Typhoon CountryBritain/Germany/Italy/Spain ExportGreece (60); Austria (18); Saudi Arabia (72 - replacing the Tornado) FunctionMulti-role fighter Year2004 Crew1 Engines2× Eurojet EJ200 afterburning turbofans, 60 kN dry, 93 kN with afterburner.
Length15.96 m Height5.28 m Wing span10.95m Wing area50.0 m2 Wing loading311 kg/m² Wing aspect ratio2.205 Canard Area2.4 m2 Tail Plane AreaN/A
Maximum speedMach 2.0+ (2390 km/h at high altitude) Maximum speed at low altitudeMach 1.2 (1470 km/h, 915 mph at sea level) Supercruise speedMach 1.3+ at altitude with typical air-to-air armament Minimum speed203 km/h Rate of climb255 m/s Service ceiling18290 m (60,000 ft) Time to 10600m/Mach 1.5< 2,5 min Runway length500 m (take off under 8 seconds) Range1390 km
Basic mass empty9750 kg (21,495 lb.) Empty Weight10995 kg Max take-off mass23500 kg Max external stores6500 kg (14,300 lb.) Internal Fuel Weight5000 kg Thrust/weight1.22
G-limits9/-3 Maximum instantenous turn rateUnknown Maximum sustained turn rateUnknown
Armament1x 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon
