Eurofighter Typhoon in Focus

Eurofi ghter Typhoon in focus Typhoon targets the FutureEurofighter and its industry partners are making significant moves on future capability development. Jamie Hunter and Jon Lake examine what lies ahead for the Typhoon. Eurofighter is currently conducting a study phase for the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) of the aircraft. All photos Eurofighter unless otherwise stated 46 // May 2020 #386 www.Key.Aero he Eurofighter Typhoon has come a long way in recent years when it T comes to silencing critics over long- term credibility concerns. A raft of capability updates, such as the integration of the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), took years to progress through development test, contract signature and entry into service. However, across the partner nations involved in the European fighter, the acronyms, sub-variants and buzz-phrases have steadily become a reality, helped by increased flexibility in the process that allows the core partners to progress at their required Typhoon pace and to best suit differing agendas. The umbrella partnership still endures and those that are involved in Eurofighter still enjoy the economy of scale and a coherent development roadmap. Across the operators, from the so-called Phase 2 Enhancement (P2E) through to the UK’s Project Centurion, the Typhoon is finally equipped and upgraded in a manner that has been promised for years. While the original partner nation orders have now been satisfied, export successes in Qatar and Kuwait will keep the production lines open until 2024. However, there have been disappointments in European fighter competitions when the Typhoon lost to the Lockheed Martin F-35A in Belgium and Denmark. The jets for the new Middle Eastern customers looked like being the last for Eurofighter. Few could have predicted that Germany would emerge as the next great hope for the Eurofighter and indeed a launchpad for a whole new generation of the aircraft. The Luftwaffe has a requirement to replace its last remaining Panavia Tornados by 2030, coupled with an emerging desire to replace its original Tranche 1 aircraft. This has now evolved into the biggest single new requirement for the European fighter – and one that is seen as being critical to the future of European defence manufacturing. In addition, Spain could also opt for more Typhoons to enable the replacement of its EF-18 Hornets. “If Europe wants a strong defence and a strong industry to deliver it, then Eurofi ghter is the best choice.” Eurofi ghter CEO Herman Claesen www.Key.Aero #386 May 2020 // 47 Eurofi ghter Typhoon in focus The Luftwa e is looking to replace its initial Tranche 1 Eurofighters as well as its Tornado fleet. Eurofighter/Geoffrey H Lee Meeting future needs aircraft and nine months for the engine. Herman requirements to counter threats as they arise. Luftwaffe commander Generalleutnant Karl Claesen, CEO of Eurofighter, said in 2019: A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Müllner publicly endorsed the F-35 when he “These contracts represent a significant step in element involves a major update of cockpit said that it was the favourite of the Luftwaffe shaping the future of Eurofighter and will ensure displays and controls, which will enable to replace the Tornado. The statement secured it continues to be one of the most important more demanding missions while ensuring early retirement for Müllner and an eventual assets in the future operating environment.” full interoperability with allied assets in the announcement from the Bundeswehr in The LTE study is designed to underpin the air and over land and sea. In addition, the January 2019 that the F-35 had been ruled out future of Eurofighter by identifying a suite of use of new adaptive power and cooling of the competition to supply 90 new aircraft technology enhancements for the weapons techniques and the agile integration of as a Tornado replacement. The case for system infrastructure and the engines that advanced weapons is intended to lead to Eurofighter was growing, especially with the will ensure the aircraft remains operationally flexible store configurations. In terms of potential for an all-new standard of aircraft to effective and can continue to spearhead air the EJ200 engine, the focus is on thrust provide a common solution for replacing the forces for the decades to come. The technology growth, range and persistence with Luftwaffe’s early Tranche 1 aircraft under Project areas being explored include mission systems increased parts life and survivability as Quadriga and the Tornados through a potential architecture, building on the existing electronic well as control system enhancements. slew of orders from the German military. warfare systems by increasing the use of digital Central to many of these future ambitions In May 2019, Eurofighter GmbH, Eurojet data both on-board (via advanced multi-spectral is a long-running plan to add a new Turbo GmbH and NETMA (NATO Eurofighter sensors) and off-board (via high-performance Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) to and Tornado Management Agency), signed tactical data links), while remaining resilient the aircraft. Eurofighter’s Head of Strategic contracts worth a total of €53.7m to support the to new and emerging threats, including cyber. Marketing and former fighter pilot Raffael Long-Term Evolution (LTE) of the Eurofighter. The Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub System Klaschka told AFM: “We are discussing with The study contracts, which look at the (DASS) looks at future requirements out to the partner nations as to the most efficient capability development of the aircraft and the 2050, enabling Typhoon to respond faster, approach to LTE. The AMK comprises wing- potent EJ200 engines, span 19 months for the more easily and more affordably to new root extensions and redesigned trailing Eurofi ghter vs F-35 Many believe an advanced Eurofighter variant will afford more useful and complementary elements to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) now under development with France and Spain. The company has described an advanced Eurofighter as “a stepping stone to a European FCAS programme”. By contrast, procurement of the F-35 would have threatened the continuation of the entire FCAS project and in particular would have put development of the central FCAS element, the NGF (Next Generation Fighter), in jeopardy. Dirk Hoke, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defence and Space said that any decision to buy the F-35 would have killed off this new Franco- German European fighter: “As soon as Germany becomes an F-35 nation, all co-operation with France on combat jet issues will die.” Jon Lake Left: A recently released diagram shows a potential electronic attack configuration. Airbus Right: Electronic attack is a key mission of the Tornado ECR, which the Luftwa e needs to replace, with the European defence industry keen to see a common fleet of advanced Typhoons fulfilling the role. 48 // May 2020 #386 www.Key.Aero Above: The advanced capabilities being proposed include new data links and satellite communications. Left: Several options are being evaluated under the LTE study including a dramatic increase in firepower with expanded weapons carriage. edge flaps. AMK has already been flight- even more carefree; you don’t even have to potential of elements such as 3D radar tested and it’s easily installable – it’s one worry about the centre of gravity wandering displays and completely new philosophies option in the LTE packages that we are fore and aft.” Increased weapons loads will be over how a future cockpit might look. There discussing with our customers. AMK opens up facilitated by twin ejector racks for inboard is also a desire to mature such technology in a whole new horizon of capability. The most wing pylons and for air-to-air missiles, anticipation of the Future Combat Air System pronounced improvement relates to weapons with the AMK opening up the envelope for (FCAS) with a mindset of risk reduction integration. We are looking at how to increase clearances of those new configurations. inserted into these future programmes. the number of missiles to really mass the AMK can be retrofitted or included in firepower. A side benefit is more agility and any new-build aircraft and is just one of The German requirement a more relaxed angle-of-attack envelope.” the elements Eurofighter is highlighting Unofficial reports emerged in the German The Eurofighter can currently carry eight with regard to capabilities and benefits for press on March 26 that the military was air-to-air missiles but there’s potential to partner nations to decide upon. Eurofighter moving forward on its Tornado replacement significantly increase this. “Firepower will is also planning enhanced data links to open with a split buy of Eurofighters and Boeing play a key role in the future battlespace,” up a new level of situational awareness, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets/EA-18G Growlers. It Klaschka adds. “Just enhancing the Eurofighter as well as satellite communications. would mean that the Luftwaffe would procure a little further we can make this a real air- The enhanced HMI includes a new cockpit a new, common fleet of LTE Eurofighters plus to-air monster. For air-to-surface we see layout and discussions on a final configuration approximately 45 fighters from the US. improvements in roll rate and [G-force] are ongoing. However, it will be based The Tranche 1 replacement requirement limitations, but also new asymmetric around a new large-area display. The current under Quadriga is for new Eurofighters from configurations – AMK will mean the aircraft cockpit layout and ergonomics have proved 2025, with around 36-38 more aircraft. These is more flexible and able to be loaded with to be extremely effective and are now well aircraft would enable a more streamlined a range of stores.

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