PROGRAMME NEWS & FEATURES EUROFIGHTER NOVEMBER 2015

 MISSION POSSIBLE

 LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

 ARCTIC CHALLENGE

ON PATROL EUROFIGHTER ABOVE THE REST 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EDITORIAL 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 3

WELCOME 03 Editorial

04 Rob Phillips: ‘Mission Possible’ elcome to the latest edition of When a new capability is added to Eurofighter, Rob Phillips is responsible Eurofighter WORLD. The first thing for making sure that each test to introduce it in is planned to perfection. Wthat struck me when I read through Discover more about his day to day challenges. the content for this edition was the sheer amount of activity. 10 Passing the Test As work advances to integrate Meteor, Storm Shadow and Brimstone In the past we have often talked about the air - weapons onto Eurofighter Typhoon, the Head of Flight Test Josh Harries craft’s Paradigm Shift in capability — well now lifts the lid on his world. it’s very clear that this has moved on to a whole new phase. The focus now is on Title: Eurofighter Typhoon over the 14 Life in the Fast Lane Delivery Into Service. L Arabian Gulf Region Raffaele Beltrame, is a Eurofighter Project Pilot. It’s his job to push the aircraft to new limits. We find out what makes him tick… In this issue of Eurofighter WORLD, we hear all about how Photo: Jamie Hunter the aircraft is shaping up for the future, with an array of

18 The Numbers Add Up A weapons integration tests. We speak to members of the We speak to Eurofighter Chief Engineer Mark Greenhalgh about his work, teams who are advancing the capabilities of the aircraft by the aircraft, and his most important priorities. bringing forward the likes of Meteor, Brimstone and Storm I Shadow. These people all play different roles but reading 22 The Magic Box their words it’s clear they all share the same characteris - Your guide to the Eurofighter Flight Control System — what it does, how it tics. They are all passionate, knowledgeable and commit - Eurofighter World is published by Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, does it, and what makes it special. R ted to the Eurofighter Typhoon. PR & Communications Am Söldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos 26 Eurofighter TYPHOON: A New Reality There’s also a fascinating insight into the world of Test Tel: +49 (0) 811-80 1587 [email protected] Justin Bronk, a Research Analyst with the Military Sciences programme at Pilot Raffaele Beltrame, who shows a cultured side to his RUSI, looks at how the Eurofighter Typhoon fits into the future of European O personality which is a world away from fast jets — but I Editorial Team Theodor Benien Combat Air power. won’t spoil it for you! Simon Shrouder Martina Schmidmeir 30 Arctic Challenge 2015 T We also take a look at how the Eurofighter Typhoon contin - Contributers This year Eurofighter Typhoons were among a host of fighter jets taking ues to play a vital policing role in the Baltic through the Alenia Aermacchi

part in a security exercise in the polar region. Find out how they performed. I eyes of UK RAF pilot Flt Lt Oli Fleming. You can find out BAE Systems Airbus Defence & Space more later in the magazine. EUROJET Turbo GmbH 34 Happy Landings Royal Air Force Viva PR A world leader in aircraft landing and braking systems, Messier-Bugatti- Another feature I enjoyed takes an in-depth look at the core Dowty supplies the landing gear for Typhoon. We discover the engineering D of the aircraft — the Flight Control System. It really high - Photography challenges the team faced creating a solution for Typhoon. lighted what a clever design the Eurofighter Typhoon is. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH Eurofighter Partner Companies Cpl Dave Blackburn, Crown Copyright 38 On Patrol in the Baltics E Of course, that intelligent engineering comes from people. Luigino Caliaro Hptm Toni Dahmen/PIZ Luftwaffe UK RAF Typhoon pilot Flt Lt Oli Fleming speaks to Eurofighter WORLD And at our core that’s what Eurofighter is all about. That Dietmar Fenners about life policing Baltic airspace, working with the latest version of the shines through in the profile of our chief engineer Mark Jamie Hunter Geoffrey Lee P1EB and chasing down some Russian MIG 31 Foxhounds. Greenhalgh. Filip Modrzejewski/Foto Poork Stefan Petersen 42 The Young Guns Finally, I’d recommend taking a look at the interviews with Katsuhiko Tokunaga Dr. Andreas Zeitler We turn the spotlight on three young Eurofighter interns and trainees: three of the next generation. These are clearly bright, Greg Burnett, Carlos Garcia and Virginia Novarese. young people who have had their first taste of the work - Design & Production, Photography images.art.design. Werbeagentur GmbH place at Eurofighter. Reading their words gives me great www.iad-design.de 44 Round up, News hope for the future. Further successful Meteor trials for Eurofighter Typhoon. Printed by ESTA Druck GmbH More agile than ever: Aerodynamic upgrades. As always, I hope you enjoy the read and I’d welcome any www.esta-druck.de New Night Vision fighter pilot helmet takes to the skies. feedback you may have.

45 Social Media: Be part of our social media family. Eurofighter World on the Internet www.eurofighter.com IN OUR NEXT ISSUE... Follow us on: 46 The Eurofighter Typhoon: Now with more than 300,000 Flying Hours to its credit across a fleet of over 440 aircraft. If you would like to request additional copies of Eurofighter World, please contact the PR & Communications Department at Eurofighter GmbH Alberto Gutierrez [email protected] CEO Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH November 2015 4 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EUROFIGHTER FLIGHT TEST EUROFIGHTER FLIGHT TEST 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 5

“The first job is to accept the task and, working with flight operations, MISSION award a Trials Risk Categorisation – low, medium or high . . .” POSSIBLE

ROB PHILLIPS FLIGHT TEST MANAGER BAE SYSTEMS

n the skies above the Irish Sea, two He leads a team of 25 engineers and their explains Rob. “Then a flight test plan is devel - Eurofighter Typhoon jets are heading collective job role can be summed up in three oped based on meeting the objectives of the Inorth. Their mission: to fire a missile. main elements: planning, executing and customer. Next we have to work out what we reporting. need to measure and how we are going to The sun streams through his office “They’ve just refuelled,” says Rob. The individuals in the team have their respec - capture the data that’s required.” “Next stop: the range.” tive areas of specialist knowledge from handling, They decide what strain gauges, measur - window and Rob Phillips checks his through to avionics and missile systems. ing equipment and other Flight Test The focus there, on the Outer Hebrides in “It’s all about ensuring we meet the cus - Instrumentation will be needed. All this plan - watch. Outside, the runway at Warton Scotland, is an unmanned aircraft, a tomer’s specifications in the required ning documentation can run to more than 60 £600,000 Mirach target drone. It’s a four-hour timescales and that we do these things safe - pages for the more complex test flights. They airfield is a picture of calm. Even the round trip to it, but once he gets within range, ly,” Rob says. also develop a detailed flight test schedule. the pilot only has a 10 second window of op - The work starts when they receive a This gives the pilot a very detailed checklist of wind that regularly batters this stretch portunity to take a shot. Hours and hours of Request for Flight Data. It can be anything requirements that need to be ‘ticked off’ planning, key decisions and the status of from a new avionics software update to the during the flight. of the Lancashire coast seems to be future contracts could all boil down to those integration of a weapon, but while the On some tests — like weapon releases — 10 seconds. demands are different, the approach is two aircraft may take to the air, but the focus holding its breath. >> always the same: detailed and methodical. of attention is the lead aircraft: it’s the only WELCOME TO ROB’S WORLD Every aspect is considered, with safety at the one armed with the missile. It is a specially top of the list. modified Typhoon, known as an Instrumented Rob is BAE Systems’ Flight Test Manager for “The first job is to accept the task and, Production Aircraft, and is bristling with an Typhoon and his role is to oversee and deliver working with flight operations, award a Trials array of recording devices measuring each both production and development test flights. Risk Categorisation — low, medium or high,” moment of the test. The second is known >> 6 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EUROFIGHTER FLIGHT TEST EUROFIGHTER FLIGHT TEST 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 7

>> MISSION POSSIBLE

“The job does have its pressures. There are an awful lot of eyes on what happens on a test…”

as a chase aircraft and is there primarily to predictions on what should happen. The test telemetry team look at live data coming from flights are all about then the hard work starts The test team works as a closely-knit unit “The job does have its pressures. There capture video footage of the moment of release flight is thus their moment of truth. “The flight the aircraft and are in contact with the pilot, when the aircraft returns to base and the num - with the customer very much in their focus, are an awful lot of eyes on what happens on a that will be useful for public relations activity in gives us the opportunity to look at the actual though only the ‘Boffin’ can communicate ber-crunching starts. Every aspect of the flight explains Rob. “It’s all about satisfying the orig - test – from inside the business and from the the future. performance and compare it to how it was directly with the pilot throughout the flight.” is poured over, from take off to landing — you inal request from the customer and giving customer, too. And there are a lot of things “The chase aircraft provides a picture for modelled. For example, when we fire a missile Though an engineer, Rob has a unique name it, every piece of data is scrutinised and them the information they need at the right that are out of your control, like the weather PR purposes – it’s what we dub as a ‘Highly at a drone we capture the data to see how it perspective on the task because for five years compared to the labs tests. In particular, those level of detail. At the same time, other parties or the sea state. There’s always an awful lot to Desirable’ element of the test but not essen - released and we can determine how accurate he was a Flight Test Observer, which meant he crucial few seconds of release are looked at who may have an interest, say MBDA who consider. But it’s important for the business tial. But having it can also provide images that the radar is compared to the modelling proba - flew in the back seat of the Eurofighter during every which way: every measure, every frame, make the missile or SELEX who make the because adding new capability like a new are useful for later analysis, as well as for PR. bility. The aircraft is also fitted with cameras test flights, notching up over 120 flying hours. every computer readout analysed, checked radar, will also evaluate their data and report weapon is key to our chances of winning ex - If you’re an engineer, the more information capturing high-speed video at 400 frames per “I was very lucky. I took part in a wide and triple-checked. back, too. port business. So we are really under the you have, the better.” second so we can see every aspect of the variety of development flight trials over that “The pilots also offer their own end user “We operate as an independent agency on spotlight. Clearly the activity during the flight – be it release frame by frame. period, from Paveway IV drops; Air-to-Air and opinion and it is very valuable input because behalf of the customer. When we write our “But we have the very best guys on the job. the release of a missile or a simpler test of a “On a job like a missile firing, we would Air-to-Surface avionic testing; and Air-to-Air we want to look at every aspect of the flight,” report, we offer a conclusion or recommenda - It is a very close team. And, as far as I am con - new software drop — is important but just as usually have a telemetry team of three engi - refuelling - to name but a few. It gave me a says Rob. “How accurate was the radar against tions based on the analysis of the data. Then cerned, we are in a privileged position relevant to Rob is data capture. Each flight is neers up at the range and another three back real appreciation of the role and the workload the computer prediction? How did the missile we either look at a particular test point again because we get to work with the end product preceded by hours of testing and modelling on at Warton, though there can be anything up to of the pilots during flights.” release? Did it release as modelled? An awful or move on to the next test point until we and see it in action day after day. Not many computers and ground rigs. Engineers have 10 engineers supporting particular trials. The If capturing data is essentially what the test lot of analysis and reporting is carried out.” reach a conclusion. people in the business can say that.” << 8 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD WEAPONS INTEGRATION WEAPONS INTEGRATION 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 9

 IPA1 takes off on full reheat  Above: IPA5 on a test flight with Paveway IV and below, returning from a METEOR test flight

PASSING THE TEST osh Harries’ phone buzzes. He has a new Josh and his team will be monitoring progress text message: “AIRBORNE.” This simple from the Eurofighter “Head Office” in Jword means a lot to Josh. Nearly a thou - Hallbergmoos. The next time the phone sand miles away from his Munich office, a buzzes the message states: “MISSILE AWAY.” With work advancing at a pace to integrate the Meteor, Storm Shadow and Brimstone specially configured Eurofighter Typhoon has “This kind of real time text messaging can taken off. It is carrying a new Meteor missile. be quite nail-biting, particularly when you are weapons on the Eurofighter Typhoon, it’s an exciting time for the programme. The text means several things: the poor talking about something like a Meteor test weather that had threatened to scupper firing,” says Josh, who as Eurofighter’s Head It’s also an incredibly demanding one for the Flight Test team who are at the sharp end everything hasn’t materialised, there were no of Flight Test has overall responsibility for co - last minute technical hitches and the test is ordinating a whole series of flight tests across  IPA7 demonstrating Eurofighter Typhoon’s power with a full weapons load of bringing all these projects together. >> on. Relief, for now. Over the next few hours a number of aircraft in four countries. >> 10 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD WEAPONS INTEGRATION WEAPONS INTEGRATION 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 11

>> PASSING THE TEST

... “Weapon Integration flight testing is normally required to demonstrate that the aircraft can carry its intended stores safely”...

 IPA1 - one of the key test and development platforms responsible for the evolution of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

TESTING TESTING… Test flying can be very labour intensive, particularly weapon integration work.

In P2E and P3E:

 Integration of Storm Shadow : Over 80 flights, using 5 test aircraft  Integration of Meteor : Over 40 flights, using 4 test aircraft  Integration of Brimstone :  IPA1 flying in anger - humid conditions help demonstrate the aerodynamic Around 70 flights, using 2 test aircraft characteristics of this potent and powerful aircraft.

“Some of the flights, particularly when you “You have to remember that when you add rigs. Engineers will also carry out lots of com - the structural integrity of the aircraft), vibration intensive and may run to dozens of flights to “Of course, there’s a lot of data collected are integrating a new weapon, bring a whole a new store you are bringing in a new element. puter modelling and simulations. and early store safe separation testing. test different weapon configurations at but there is also ‘pilot in the loop’ testing. new dimension to the aircraft and before we A Storm Shadow for example, weighs the “Weapon Integration flight testing is All of the data is collected by the dedicated various parts of the flight envelope. For exam - Handling Qualities testing is related to the even think about a test flight there is a lot of equivalent of a VW Golf, at around 1,300 kg, normally required to demonstrate that the Flight Test Instrumentation on the test aircraft. ple, during the P2E Storm Shadow aero data basic stability and control characteristics of work required. The text message tennis so you need to know how adding that affects aircraft can carry its intended stores safely Strain gauges and other sensors are fitted to gathering testing, there were more than 40 the aircraft with the stores fitted. These series comes right at the end of the process; it rep - the handling of the aircraft. Does it give you and achieve the required levels of manoeuvra - the stores and aircraft to measure the result - flights on two aircraft, IPA4 and IPA7. of tests look at how the aircraft responds to resents the culmination of weeks and months restrictions on the flying envelope? Do the bility and performance for each store configu - ing effects. Once the flight is completed, the Josh adds: “Safe Separation trials are the pilot’s inputs, so naturally pilot feedback is of planning and effort from a lot of people.” Flight Control System people need to make ration. They must be capable of withstanding data goes to the System Design areas who are another very arduous element. Stores are usu - important. The pilots summarise how well the Through the aircraft’s current capability changes to the control laws that they use as the flight, separate cleanly, and then follow a responsible for qualifying and certifying (Q&C) ally released under operationally representa - aircraft flies and provide information that goes updates, known as P2E and P3E, there are a their basis for flight? What happens when you predictable trajectory to the target.” their respective Systems once modified. They tive conditions, such as singles, pairs, jettison into the flight manual. Generally, two or more number of new weapons that are being inte - release one?” The early Air Vehicle testing phase is known can then carry out detailed analysis and com - of launchers and so on and at various weapon pilots will fly handling quality tests with new grated: Meteor, Storm Shadow and Brimstone. Not surprisingly, long before a flight is ever in the business as WIF testing, meaning Weapon pare the results with the earlier predictions, delivery manoeuvres. Brimstone, for example, stores fitted through a series of operationally For Josh and his team, these upgrades also re - contemplated, the changes required to Integration Flexibility, and this includes flutter and use this flight test data and formal Flight has launchers with three missiles fitted to representative flights. They then assess the quire a wide range of flight test requirements, accommodate a new weapon will have been (the effect of aerodynamics vibration), perfor - Test Reports as part of their Q&C evidence. each, and separation trials will be carried out handling against a standardised scale which is embracing most of the aircraft systems. comprehensively tested on special system mance, aero data gathering, loads (looking at This WIF testing phase can be very labour with all, some and none of the missiles fitted. known as The Cooper Harpe r rating.” >> 12 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD WEAPONS INTEGRATION WEAPONS INTEGRATION 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 13

>> PASSING THE TEST

THE TEST AIRCRAFT “It might sound counter-intuitive but, “As soon as the requirements come out The IPAs: In order to carry out such a comprehensive test programme, Eurofighter although we work in Flight Test, we always try and are established, my team at EF ensure the operates a series of Instrumented Test Aircraft (IPA). These are dedicated test aircraft to do as little flying as necessary!” says Josh. flight test centre is given an outline idea of and are usually created during the build phase. At this point the Flight Test “We recognise that this is the most expensive what they will need to test. We start the de - Instrumentation (FTI) fit is carried out and this includes the installation of kilometres and most time consuming part of the testing tailed planning about six to nine months ahead of orange Flight Test Wiring, as an integrated part of the aircraft and its systems. The process so if we don’t need to do it we won’t. of the actual flying programme. We come up FTI fit is very comprehensive and includes real time data availability via encrypted I always challenge flight test requirements. So with an initial order of flight and produce a telemetry systems. whenever we actually fly, we do so for a shopping list of items that forms the begin - reason. There’s no padding.” nings of a basic plan. We go on to define exact - The ISPAs: Eurofighter also operates Instrumented Series Production Aircraft or With weapons integration reaching a ly what the customer really wants to do: which ISPAs. The main difference is usually a reduced FTI installation, which is less intrusive climax, there are multiple tests and pro - configurations to fly in, what the software and is normally added during Final Assembly. The idea is that the FTI could be later grammes at different stages. Eurofighter, standard needs to be and so on. We also have stripped out in order to return the aircraft to a customer as a standard production through Josh’s office, co-ordinates the whole to make sure that the aircraft we choose is, or aircraft for normal operational use. process. He works with four EPC (Eurofighter will be, fitted with the right instrumentation.” Partner Companies) Flight Test managers Where possible the Flight Test teams try to The FTI: Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) is used to acquire data about the operation whose teams carry out the detailed flight ensure the end user — the customer - is in - or environment of a test object and record and/or transmit that data for future use. planning and execute the flight trials. At volved, too, by discussing their needs. Trying to keep the tests on track and con -  IPA2 carrying Storm Shadow - each missile The sources include: various aircraft data buses; aircraft system tappings like power Eurofighter, Josh has a highly motivated team “Together we look at the test points we have tend with issues like clearances, range avail - weighing the same as a small family car supply voltages; FTI sensors (pressure, temperature, accelerometers, vibration, that deals with cross-EPC coordination planned and from that try to come up with an ability, fuel tanker support, targets, all means position etc.); navigation data; audio (crew speech, system, warnings, missile tones). and long term planning over the various integrated approach. The customer may have the work can be incredibly challenging and integration sits right at the pinnacle of the test There is also telemetry, which gives real time access to data, though that’s encrypted programmes. included a contractual requirement for an op - frustrating, but Josh and the FTMs are not ones flying range. If you are the guy rearranging the for security reasons. As tests and requirements grow, so too does FTI. “The combined EF and EPC FT community erational assessment and we will accommo - for letting a few snags cloud their day. The 0 and 1s in a software programme or you’re provides a thorough knowledge of all the vari - date that. With Meteor, for example, we flight trials team involved will often work into doing model predictions at the early part of ous disciplines used in Flight Test, such that a planned nine firings intended to deliver a qual - the night after a flight to ensure that FT data is the process, as vital as this work is, you will THE EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON TEST FLEET coherent and balanced flight test programme ification but three of them are also dovetailed downloaded, distributed and the aircraft never get this close.  IPA1 Tranche 1 at Warton In addition, access can be gained for: can be planned and executed. We all work into a customer requirement. Each test pro - ‘turned around’ for another flight next day. “It’s a great job — challenging, exciting and  IPA2 Tranche 2 at Turin IPA3 – Tranche 1 – owned by MoD GE at well together. There’s a level of cooperation, gramme is different but around 10 per cent of “All flight tests are the highly visible end a job I really enjoy. As a former RAF Chief Test  IPA4 Tranche 2 at Getafe Manching and ISPA5 (BT017) – owned by the camaraderie and willingness in “Flight Test” the test points we fly usually tie into a cus - game — the bit that everyone sees and the bit Pilot once told me, ‘Flight Testing is all about  IPA5 ESCAN at Warton RAF and usually flown out of Warton. that I have not seen matched in my career.” tomer requirement.” that brings everything together. And weapons operating in God’s wind tunnel!’” <<  IPA6 Tranche 2 at Warton  IPA7 Tranche 2 at Manching The MoD UK is currently planning to “instru -  IPA8 ESCAN at Manching ment” other RAF aircraft, primarily for their  ISPA3 Tranche 3 at Getafe own use, but these could also be made avail -  ISPA4 Tranche 3 at Turin able to support Flight Test programmes.

IPA7 carrying TAURUS - another of many long-range missile test flights 14 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 15

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE RAFFAELE BELTRAME EUROFIGHTER PROJECT PILOT

As a four-year-old, Raffaele Beltrame went through a life-changing experience. His father took him to an air show and there he witnessed a Tornado display: loud, proud and magnifi - cent. In that instant the die was cast. Fast forward a few years and it was the Italian from the northern city of Udine who was wowing the crowds but this time from the cockpit of a Eurofighter Typhoon. Today, as a Eurofighter Project Pilot, it’s Raffaele’s job to push the aircraft to new limits. >>

t’s a life lived in the fast lane but not exclu - “I was a little bit anxious in the beginning force and Raffaele was part of the team who campaign, he performed twice a day notching “Throughout my time as a display pilot truly 100 per cent happy,” says Raffaele. sively. He doesn’t just weave patterns in in the sense that you know what you’re leav - provided support for the operational pilots. up 13 flights in just over a week, which even I was tense before each flight. You have a level Anyone who had the pleasure of witness - Ithe sky, he creates pictures on canvas, too. ing but don’t really know what you’re facing. “I was lucky. It was an amazing time to be the unflappable Italian describes as a ‘really of stress but as soon as you release the ing him in action would say it’s an For Raffaele’s passions also extend to the For example, I didn’t know what programme part of all that. Since then I have seen the intense period.’ Even so, he recalls this phase brakes you just switch on. You’re not nervous admission that says more about his arts. He’s also the first pilot I’ve heard liken I would be working on — it could have been he - Eurofighter growing from an air-to-air to swing of his work life — and the sense of freedom it because of the crowds – in fact, you don’t see high standards than his aeronauti - air displays to orchestral arrangements. After licopters for example. I also wondered how role. I’ve been fortunate to be involved in gave him — with genuine fondness. many people. The pressure is more internal cal abilities. an hour in his company it’s clear that Raffaele I was going to learn everything about each dif - every stage of its development from P1E up “Flying a display is amazing. It’s a very small because it is a very disciplined way of flying. “For me a good display Beltrame is not your archetypal test pilot. ferent aircraft.” till now with P2E, P3E and E-Scan.” portion of the job, and it’s both fun and demand - I was always looking for perfection. An onlook - should be like an orches - His journey started as a young man in the As it turned out, his timing was little short In a sense he was part of the backroom ing in equal parts. It gives you the chance to er might not notice any faults but being hon - tra. Everything in har - Italian Air Force where he saw action in of perfect. His first assignment was on team during this period but his profile was enjoy the performance of the aircraft. A display est there was not one display where I was mony. >> Bosnia and Kosova. Then in 2002 his career Eurofighter and he was there for its initial raised when Raffaele was selected as a pilot’s job is to try to highlight all the good qual - path changed when he was selected for the air introduction in country. Two years later the Eurofighter display pilot during the 2010 and ities of the aircraft and so you devise your own force’s Test Centre. aircraft was officially handed over to the air 2011 seasons. In India, supporting the programme and put in some new manoeuvres.

ve reati his c ases howc ork s artw it aele’s ockp Raff the c from away side 16 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 17

>> LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

I like clean and smooth manoeuvres. Of ability at low speed – all critical fighter capabil - course, you can show the power but my ities in air-to-air combat. personal view is that I hate rough manoeu - It also serves as a classic case study in vres. Make it smooth, know when to relax, how Rafaelle ‘the project pilot’ interacts with have confidence in the machine. In some ways the wider team. There’s hours of work before it’s like creating a painting,” he says before he even steps into the cockpit. “That pro - breaking out into a big grin at the memory. gramme started off with a flight test plan “It was a blast!” where we identified the objectives. Next we Like all the best test pilots, Raffaele is an had the sim phase. This gives you a chance to excellent communicator — it’s something he see if what you have planned is going to be says comes naturally and it’s a fundamental feasible and allows the pilots to train for part of his role. specific manoeuvres. This was very important “I like talking to people and socialising and because we knew fuel consumption would be fortunately that’s part of the job. In the test high on this particular test since we were centre you have to be very close to the opera - always using reheat. tional guys — to interact with them and under - “In the sim the idea is to get the dance stand their needs. Your job is to constantly going. You plan each and every manoeuvre help develop their requirements and look at then you perform them with a rhythm – the any issues they may be facing. So communi - mind-set is the same as display. If everything cation is key. If I am able to fully understand goes perfect, you move on. In this instance the requirements we can deliver a good prod - the sim work was a key to defining the entry uct – they’re happy and we’re happy.” conditions.” He joined the Eurofighter family as a Project Pilot with Airbus Defence & Space in 2013, and is now based at Manching in Germany where the skills and knowledge he’s picked up along the way are now being put to good use. “It is challenging in a different way. You need a good awareness of the programme and the management dynamics but communica - tion and teamwork are still key because you are interacting with a group of people. I work alongside a team of engineers and I really en - joy it. It’s fascinating talking to an aerodynam - icist and translating from numbers on a spreadsheet to the mechanics of flight. And, of course, we are in an interesting phase of the programme. There are a lot of challenges and milestones on the near horizon. “Pilots will always say they never fly enough, and I suppose I’m no different, but we all know that flying hours are very costly. So when we do go out we fly high quality sorties. Eurofighter Typhoon makes a statment in Bangalore With each test flight you have to come back  with results.” Raffaele has recently completed flight-test - ing a package of aerodynamic upgrades that All the work on the ground saved time and just looking at numbers and smiling because “I like to listen to music when I paint — all interesting stuff to do. The variety is very promises to enhance further the aircraft’s reduced risk during the subsequent flights. As the result was a surprise for them as well. sorts of music, from classical music to terrible stimulating. agility and weapons-carrying ability. The the simulator was configured with the new That’s the point of this job. It’s not just you rock. It just depends on the mood. “I still remember being at an air show as a Aerodynamic Modification Kit* (AMK) is part software, the team were given an early indica - and aircraft but there are 20 people on the “It’s a great escape. Saying that, I am real - four-year-old – and I can’t believe I’m here of a wider Eurofighter Enhanced Manoeuvr- tion of the results and they were all excited by ground working with you and constantly mon - ly lucky. Every day I wake up and I look for - sometimes.” << ability (EFEM) programme developed by Airbus what they saw. itoring the data. There’s always a discussion ward to coming to work. We have a great team Defence and Space that has the potential to “You could see the numbers and the im - going on about the best way forward.” and even if there are no flights there is always help ensure the aircraft’s continuing superiori - proved performance envelope but you have to Living in such a high pressure world does ty for many years to come. It primarily entails get into the aircraft to really appreciate the have its stresses so to relax Raffaele turns to art. the addition of fuselage strakes and leading- difference. While flying you have such positive “I enjoy painting and photography and it’s edge root extensions, which increase the feedback. During the debrief you could see something I’ve done for quite a few years. maximum lift created by the wing by 25 per the engineers were all the same. They were I have had a few exhibitions in Italy,” he says. cent resulting in an increased turn rate, tighter turning radius and improved nose-pointing

*) see page 47 18 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EUROFIGHTER EUROFIGHTER 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 19 THE NUMBERS ADD UP

MARK GREENHALGH EUROFIGHTER CHIEF ENGINEER

The Eurofighter Typhoon is an engineering marvel.  Safety first - a preflight walk around is a crucial part of any flight. It can climb higher and ll true, but when Eurofighter Chief one place. So we can pull those together earlier this year when the Eurofighter faster than any of its rivals. Engineer Mark Greenhalgh makes a list within an hour’s notice and brief them on a notched up 300,000 flying hours. It’s a mem - Aof his important priorities, safety is particular point. They can quickly get back to orable milestone but it’s worth putting that It packs a punch too. It always at the top. their air forces with a common message. figure into some sort of context. “Safety is paramount. If we were to lose “If we have an incident where it’s really That service has been characterised by a has greater persistence that, the reputation of the aircraft would be im - important to get that common message to level of reliability that’s frankly unheard of pacted. We have to make sure we maintain the customers or if we need additional feed - and that’s testament to the engineers who and delivers effects faster that. back, in terms of data, we can do so expe- designed and built the aircraft. So here are “It’s one of the key roles Eurofighter plays diently.” some more numbers worth considering: than anybody. >> because within the organisation in Munich, we The importance of the aircraft’s safety The first time the Eurofighter Typhoon went have representatives from all the Customers in and reliability record was brought into focus into service in Libya in 2011 the fleet was >> 20 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EUROFIGHTER EUROFIGHTER 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 21

>> THE NUMBERS ADD UP

available 97 per cent of the time. They were need for it and the benefits it gives the whole away for six months, flew more than 3000 project. The Eurofighter Typhoon platform is hours and clocked up over 600 missions. such a complex system that no one person Little wonder that Mark is proud of the air - can understand the whole thing and therefore craft’s reputation for reliability and safety. you need to know where to bring different But there’s another reason why it figures people in and that’s the key role of top of his list. Because it’s part of Mark’s job Eurofighter. It brings the right people together, description that he can recommend the fleet at the right time.” to be grounded if ever he feels there are suffi - “Its role is very important. It has an impar - cient grounds. tial viewpoint that’s focused on getting the “We try to get the balance in maintaining a best result for everybody. And that’s the key — safe platform, but also maintaining flight oper - it’s all about getting the best results at the ations,” he explains. “But naturally it’s one of end of the day.” the most difficult aspects of the job.” “There’s a very human benefit too because Making those kind of calls demands knowl - individual engineers gain from the experience edge and experience and he has both in his of working in Eurofighter. They have their hori - favour. Mark started his career at BAE zons broadened. It’s quite remarkable to see Systems in 1981 working on the Jaguar’s what skills you can gain here from being wings. It was an era rich in possibilities and he exposed to different ways of thinking and was able to acquire knowledge across a range people. Personally I believe that this helps to of assignments. create much broader engineers. We are devel - “I benefited from working on lots of pro - oping engineers who have got wider knowl - jects. I was able to move about, to carry out edge and a greater capability of managing different roles, develop different skills and complex programmes.” move on to different things. For example, I Mark heads a team of 25 people, which was involved in the Airbus 320. includes engineers looking at disciplines like “I was fortunate because at the time there Airworthiness, Configuration Control and were a host of opportunities. There are plenty Weapon Qualification. He also has a number of people who have probably been in one of people on project delivery teams. department all their lives and are very happy “They act as my eyes and ears in the teams doing that. But that certainly wasn’t for me; I that are trying to integrate the product. The motivate myself by taking on different chal - impact the whole team has is greater than the lenges and experiences.” sum of its parts. It’s a real co-ordinated Part of that early journey included work on effort.” the Experimental Aircraft Programme, which So as Chief Engineer what elements of became better known as the EAP, a technolo - Typhoon’s engineering give him the most gy demonstrator that led the way for satisfaction? Eurofighter. A key feature of EAP was its car - “Well, my background is on the structures bon fibre wings — advanced manufacturing side, so I have to say the airframe. technology that was in its infancy back then. It’s the bedrock. After that you rely on the “We’ve all moved to carbon fibre wings avionics and everything else to give you the now, but in those days it was something new. mission capabilities. It gave the aircraft stiffness and strength. But “The difficulties come when you don’t we also learned some big lessons from that, have that (quality) airframe. You can always which is exactly what the EAP project was cre - change the wiring, the software or equip - ated for. Some things didn’t work out and we ment. That’s relatively straightforward. But if had to understand what had happened and you don’t have the basics of the airframe and why, then build on them in Eurofighter.” aerodynamic capability and the engine to go From EAP it was a natural step for Mark to with it you really struggle to maximise the work on the early designs for Eurofighter opportunities. Typhoon. “I originally was involved in the “And I do think Eurofighter has a very good design of the wing. I was the section leader structural design. The structural tests that are looking after the structural design within BAE ongoing have revealed relatively few problems Systems at Warton.” despite the fact we are testing it to 18,000 His impressive CV also includes five years test hours against a requirement of 6,000 in the international business of BAE Systems flying hours! That says a lot about the design.” Customer Solutions & Support (CS&S), where All these excellent numbers are all down to he was involved in the agreement with the good engineering principles — principles Saudi Arabian Customer for the Salam pro - which Mark has made his life’s work. ject. He joined Eurofighter in 2008 and is a passionate advocate for its role in ensuring the aircraft’s development continues on the right path. “Until I arrived here I have to admit I didn’t truly understand the role of Eurofighter but it doesn’t take long for you to appreciate the 22 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 23

What is the Eurofighter FCS designed to do?

Eurofighter Typhoon is an inherently aerody - EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON namically unstable platform. That means a Outboard Flaperon Leading Edge Slats significant challenge for the engineers during Performance Parameters:: its development and testing phases. The FCS is the answer to that challenge.  G-limits: +9g / -3g Foreplane The fundamental requirement of the FCS is to  Max speed: Mach 2.0 provide a stable yet highly agile platform.  Ceiling: >55,000ft The FCS provides stability by using appropri -  Brakes off to 35,000ft / ate feedback signals supplied by the Airdata Mach 1.5: <2.5 minutes Transducers and the Inertial Measurement  Brakes off to lift-off: <8 seconds Inboard Flaperon Flight Control Computer Unit.  Operational runway length: <700m The pilot commands the aircraft to manoeu -  Max payload: 7,500kg Nose Wheel Steering vre via the pitch/roll stick and pedals, and  Max unrefuelled range: >2,500km these signals are conditioned through control Inertial Measurement Unit law algorithms to calculate the control surface demands. These demands are converted to electronic signals transmitted by Air Brake wires (hence the fly-by-wire term) to drive the Rudder control surfaces. The key feature of the FCS is Carefree Handling. Carefree Handling allows the pilot to aggressively manoeuvre the aircraft without Primary control surfaces concern of exceeding the aircraft limitations Secondary control surfaces Air Intake Cowl and stalling the aircraft or over-stressing the airframe. This capability is available for all Air Data Transducer THE MAGIC weapon configurations. Other major features supporting the Carefree Eurofighter Typhoon is a truly majestic air - concept include: low speed automatic recov - craft with incredible power and manoeu - ery to protect against low speed departure; OK. Given that, what other features does Those are the cardinal points on the specifi - To put it another way, when we get ‘Requests vrability. But how does it think? What high speed warning to warn against envelope the FCS provide to support the Pilot? cations of the aircraft – the absolute must do for Information’ from potential customers BOX makes it tick? What is the essence of the exceedances; G-onset limitation to protect the requirements for the FCS. It does this better they always ask about attrition requirements machine and what gives it such majesty in pilot against sudden loss of consciousness. The FCS engineers have designed into the than anything else in the world. over the lifetime of the contract (how many flight? At its heart sits the Flight Control Flight Control System leading capabilities aircraft you’d expect to lose). Most aircraft in System (FCS) — consisting of highly So is the FCS all about computing power? which further enhance the aircraft perfor - Who was involved in the development of the history of manned flight have lost about sophisticated sensors and computing mance. For example, the aircraft exhibits truly the FCS? a third of the fleet by the end of their Steve Hunt power capable of translating the pilot’s It’s true, the FCS consists of high-speed excellent handling qualities in all phases of lifetime. However, the attrition requirements commands into action, providing out - computing and data buses, complex sensors, flight including take-off, approach and land - The FCS is the responsibility of the FCS Joint standing agility. In this edition of control algorithms and state of the art fly-by- ing, aircraft tracking, aggressive manoeuvring Team, known as the FJT. The team was creat - Eurofighter WORLD , we talk to Steve Hunt, wire technology, but the key word is SAFETY. and inflight refueling. ed in 1986 with engineers from the four Michael Rössler and Rob Wells to discover Loss of the flight control system means loss The FCS also provides autopilot, auto-throttle partner companies based in Munich. This was more about the box of tricks. of the aircraft. As simple as that. Therefore and flight director modes, reducing pilot and remains a truly international set-up safety is paramount. workload at critical times of the mission. represented primarily by German, Spanish, In this safety context, the FCS design caters Background tasks taken care of by the FCS Italian and British engineers working side-by- So what is the Flight Control System? for degraded system performance providing also include automatic aircraft trimming. This side. A cultural mix which has evolved into a Michael Rössler graceful degradation in the event of one or ensures the aircraft does not drift off as is very effective and skilled team. The Flight Control System is a state of the more failures. This may lead to loss of capa - traditionally the case. The current team is responsible for the full art, digital fly-by-wire control system which bility and therefore mission but it shall not The FCS features an aptly named development lifecycle from requirements optimises the performance and agility of the lead to loss of the aircraft. Disorientation Recovery Function, which when capture, design, development, demonstra - aircraft. selected by a disoriented pilot, places the tion, qualification and In-service support – all At its core are four flight control computers, Given its importance, how do you guard aircraft into a defined safe attitude and speed. performed on one floor within the  An RAF engineer carries out pre-flight system checks which together control the pitch, roll and yaw against things going wrong? Engineering Building at Airbus, Manching. of the aircraft. These computers drive the Does this emphasis on safety mean that This is unique on the Eurofighter programme. primary control surfaces: foreplanes and flap - The short answer is quadruplex architecture: the aircraft is compromised? on this aircraft are negligible. It is so much Rob Wells erons control pitch, differential flaperons roll There are four Flight Control Computers all So when you reflect on the team’s achieve - less than the other manufacturers, the and the rudder provides yaw control. monitoring each other, providing redundancy No. Although safety clearly comes first and is ments, what are you most proud of? customers will always come back to us and Signals to the Flight Control System - speed, designed to detect, absorb and automatically paramount to the integrity of the flight con - say, ‘Are you sure about that?’ pressure, rates, accelerations and so on – are isolate failures within the system. If one trol system, aircraft performance is not undu - The performance of the aircraft, the robust - But this record of reliability has not compro - calculated within the sensors. These include computer is misbehaving, the other three ly limited. ness, the reliability and the reputation of the mised the aircraft’s performance and that’s Air Data Transducers and the Inertial computers kick it out. The aircraft was originally designed for climb - Flight Control System are truly magnificent where Eurofighter Typhoon is unique. It has Measurement Unit. 95 per cent of all flight The quadruplex redundancy concept extends ing to 36,000ft, going supersonic, firing four achievements. But above all, the safety record been fine-tuned to the point where you get control computing is performed in the flight to all critical FCS equipment and data transfer AMRAAMs and turning at 7G to go home (It of the aircraft, which is second to none, is optimum performance and maximum reliability. control computers. to ensure system and ultimately aircraft safety. can, of course, exceed these parameters). something we can be really proud of. 24 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 25

Photo by: Filip Modrzejewski/Foto Poork - RADOM Air Show 2015 26 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD THIRD PARTY VIEW THIRD PARTY VIEW 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 27

EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON: A NEW REALITY

This year the highly respected defence think tank RUSI produced a report on the Eurofighter Typhoon. In ‘Maximising European Combat Air Power’, author Justin Bronk argued that it’s time the future of European air power was re-evaluated. In this edition of Eurofighter World, we speak to Justin, a Research Analyst with the Military Sciences programme at RUSI. >>

f Justin Bronk wanted his RUSI report mature. It wasn’t helped by the fact that Maximising European Combat Air Power to during much of its maturation phase there Iachieve anything, it was to address ‘a per - wasn’t really much of an obvious role for it in ceived lack of understanding, in political, me - terms of threats. dia and some military circles, of the Typhoon, “Consequently Typhoon suffered with a lot its capabilities and its level of maturity.’ of negative press during the 2000s but now Speaking following its official launch he says: the aircraft is maturing very successfully and “It seemed to me not only that there was a coming into its own. At the same time it is lack of understanding of just how capable the deterring the Russians on the Eastern flank of jet now is but also a lack of understanding of NATO, which is precisely what it was designed how crucial it is that the upgrade programme to do. History has a nice way with irony. continues so that we can get the most out of “The press, and in some cases military, it. That’s particularly important given the fact haven’t really caught up with that fact. Instead that Europe already has a very serious combat they are looking back or looking out for the mass problem in the air domain.” next big thing.” Welcome to Nellis - No. 6 Squadron Typhoons prepare for a night flight But how has this lack of understanding His report pointed to the fact that ‘significant come about? “For me it is essentially a conse - parts of the political, media and, in some cases, quence of the aircraft taking a long time to military circles see the stealthy US F-35 >> 28 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD THIRD PARTY VIEW THIRD PARTY VIEW 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 29

>> TYPHOON: A NEW REALITY

as the future of Europe’s combat air fleets. If the now. For example, few people will appreciate Indeed the whole thrust of the report is strengths and where they thought improve - “What surprised me most was how upbeat small numbers that the core is going to have to be common political and media narrative is to be that some of the Strike Eagles flying opera - that it’s an aircraft that with continued invest - ment was needed. It was interesting that the they were about the changes that had come Typhoon and the good news is that with upgrades, believed, the F-35 has already made all previous tions over Syria and Iraq today were built in the ment will reap dividends in terms of increas - various nations were candid about the pro - upstream in the last couple of years and the full weapons integration, a new radar, upgraded fighter aircraft designs obsolete and will soon late 1980s early 1990s. There’s a lack of ing the longevity of the aircraft. gramme in different measures. So getting issues that have been solved but also the DASS and better electronic warfare capabilities it revolutionise Western air power.’ understanding that with a very good airframe “The fundamental strong point that should three national view points was very useful. effect small subset deficiencies can have on is certainly capable of being relevant and formida - So an essential aim for Justin was to park and engine combination at a basic level, which be put forward wherever possible is that “The report has been well received from overall capability. ble out to the late 2020s. the perceptions, start with a blank sheet and Eurofighter undoubtedly has as one of its great Eurofighter embodies the sort of basic air - the feedback I have had. There was the odd “It was also interesting to note the extent “Don’t just take my word for it, look at the RAF. use careful and considered analysis of facts to strengths, how much you can upgrade that frame and engine strength that allows for huge comment from manufacturers of other air - to which the three different operators had They clearly have great faith in its ability to perform consider what the future of European air pow - over time to keep it relevant and effective.” flexibility in terms of upgrades in the future.” craft suggesting it was deeply unfair and too diverged in where they were going with the in the air superiority role as Russian and Chinese er really looks like now and will do in the next If the perceptions are wrong, then what is complimentary to Eurofighter. I invited them jet. Priorities, roles and even specifications Low Observable designs start to come in or they 10-15 years. reality? For a start, Typhoon is a far more THOROUGH RESEARCH to point out flaws in the analysis – they didn’t. had been quite markedly different. But now, wouldn’t be spending as much money as they are “I was looking at the force mix that’s likely capable baseline aircraft than it has been “Overall I have put out a balanced picture. with the impending drawdown of Tornado in on Meteor and new radar. to be around, particularly for the RAF, but also given credit for. In fact Bronk goes further. His While researching material for the report, The beauty of working for RUSI is that you can all three countries looming large, their prior - “There is so much capability there in the fleet for all the other Eurofighter customers too, up report states that Typhoon is already ‘formida - Bronk met with frontline pilots and air staff maintain your independence and, for me, as ities are actually coming back together that is on the cusp of being unlocked with the full until the 2030s at least. So yes, you have 5th bly capable’, but that with relatively modest from air forces in the UK, Germany and Italy. long as you can stand by your own conclu - again and with that the prospects for P3E multi role capability. Gen F-35 coming on stream but only in very capability upgrades, it will only become even “I got a view from across the European sions that’s the important thing. and P4E are much rosier than they appeared “It is a very reliable asset, where the costs are low numbers and seemingly taking a long time more so. operators and heard about what the pilots “The reason why Eurofighter were willing in the past.” coming down considerably for operation and main - to reach genuine combat usefulness. Looking He writes: “In the Eurofighter, European actually wanted. It was important for me to to sponsor the report, despite knowing they tenance. The aircraft is just a good story for the air at it, however well you think the F-35 may go, states have the most formidable non-stealth get the operators’ views on the aircraft’s wouldn’t be able to influence the end result, THE FUTURE’S TYPHOON forces operating it. It hasn’t always been but it is Eurofighter is destined to be the backbone for air-superiority platform in the world. Once the was they felt that a ‘warts and all’ look at the now. four of the five biggest air forces. CAPTOR-E AESA radar and Meteor BVRAAM aircraft would be in their best interest. What Bronk states what seems obvious to him but “The other thing to take away is that F-35 and His report argued that the likelihood is for are integrated, European air forces will have a they don’t get from us is a sounding board. If is not fully realised elsewhere that Typhoon is Typhoon shouldn’t be seen as a mutually exclusive relatively small European F-35 fleet sizes and fighter capable of deterring and, if necessary, they just wanted to paint a positive picture going to be the backbone for all four major choice. There is a huge amount of potential benefit even smaller numbers of aircraft actually defeating any opposing air threats they may they could get their PR department to do it.” European operators out to at least 2030. for both aircraft to interoperate with each other be - available. As a consequence, working out how meet until the mid-2020s and any non-peer So what did the pilots and their bosses tell “The fact is the number of 5th Gen or cause they each have strengths where the other is Eurofighter is able to work alongside these threats substantially beyond that.” him? “The thing that stuck out for me particular - UCAVs or whatever starts to come along in weak. assets is going to be far more important than ly was how enthusiastic the pilots are about the the mid 2020s, they are going to be in such “The bottom line is Europe isn’t going to have many appear to grasp. aircraft. I suppose that’s not too surprising as that many jets to go round so we are going to have These aren’t the only perception issues pilots are usually pretty enthusiastic about their to make the best use out of all of them. It will be in - Bronk has tackled. “People don’t often under - jet — jet first, wife second that sort of attitude — teresting to see what all the air forces do.” << stand how long combat aircraft are around but there really was genuine enthusiasm.

Eurofighter Typhoons - the ‘Force Multiplier’ 30 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EXERCISE EXERCISE 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 31 ARCTIC CHALLENGE 2015 EXERCISING SECURITY OPERATIONS IN THE POLAR REGION

Earlier this year in the skies above the polar region of northern Scandinavia, Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were among a host of fighter jets that took part in a large scale exercise: the Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015 (ACE 2015). >>

by Joey Borkenstein

he exercise airspace was a massive 450 The participants included F-16s from NATO, used for airborne early warning and by 250 nautical miles above parts of Norway and the United States, F-18s from control, DA-20 Jammers for electronic warfare TNorway, Sweden and Finland, which Finland and Switzerland, Gripen from Sweden, and several tankers from Germany, the UK, allowed the aircraft an extensive and realistic Tornados from the UK, Mirage 2000 from Sweden, the US and Netherlands. training environment, with very few restric - France and Eurofighters from Germany. In ad - The Eurofighter crews came from all fight - tions. During the 12 days of ACE 2015, up to dition, there were a number of support assets er wings of the German Air Force (Fighter Picture: Hptm Toni Dahmen / PIZ Luftwaffe 90 jets were in the air at once. used for the exercise like E-3 AWACS from Wing 74, Neuburg; Fighter Wing 73, Laage >> 32 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EXERCISE EXERCISE 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 33

>> ARCTIC CHALLENGE 2015

Fighter Wing 31, Nörvenich) who explored A key aim of the exercise was to improve Mirage2000 and also more modern jets like how to best employ their weapon system. orchestration in complex air operations among the JAS-39 Gripen, who were equipped with a Throughout ACE 2015, Norway, Sweden different NATO partners. It was also devised to helmet mounted sight system. and Finland were able to make use of their re - ensure the different forces were able to devel - A vital part of the learning experience were spective military fighter bases at Bodø op their skills in all aspects of an air campaign the debriefing sessions which took place after (Norway), Kallax (Sweden) and Rovaniemi and to enhance interoperability across differ - each mission, when each of the participants (Finland). These were ideal for enabling short ent areas. Air crews also had the opportunity reviewed the mission data. During theses transits to and from the airspace and also for to work with other platforms. debriefs, mission commanders and flight leads hosting the large number of aircraft that took A fixed planning cycle was established to assessed their plans and the execution, and at part in ACE 2015. All the participants were enable a thorough coordination and briefing the end of the exercise, ‘lessons learned’ were distributed among the three air bases. phase. Tasks ranged across the air warfare shared. The staff at Bodø air base had overall spectrum and included defensive counter air The whole exercise was a tremendous responsibility for the exercise but were sup - (DCA), offensive counter air (OCA), close air success with European and US personnel able to ported by their counterparts in Sweden and support (CAS), air interdiction (AI) to high build up a lot of confidence operating with a vari - Finland. One of the main challenges they value airborne asset (HVAA) protection. ety of different platforms across multiple bases. faced was establishing good communications Aside from missions to train large force The Eurofighter crews were able to use the air - across the different air bases to ease coordi - employment (LFE), the participants also had craft’s advanced capabilities to substantially nation among all the various participants. the chance to organise individual training ses - contribute to the success of each mission. << This was managed through a computer net - sions amongst one another. The Eurofighter work and live video links which meant every - crews used the opportunity to train against one was kept up-to-date. legacy platforms like the F-16, F-18 and

“A key aim of the exercise was to improve orchestration in complex air operations among different NATO partners ...”

Pictures: Hptm Toni Dahmen / PIZ Luftwaffe 34 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD SUPPLIER SUPPLIER 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 35

“In my department we look after a huge “We always work on the premise that range of aircraft programmes, but when we nobody really wants the landing gear— it’s only tell people what we work on, we always say on there for take-off and landing, albeit at that Eurofighter — it’s top of the list every time. time quite useful! At every other time it is in HAPPY LANDINGS It’s that bit different and it’s great to have the way, taking up space for payload or pas - your name attached to it,” Andrew says. sengers and this programme is no different.” The biggest challenges are weight, dimensions “I think there is a definite sense of pride to and how to fit in everything that needs to >> be part of the Eurofighter supply chain. Taken as a whole, Eurofighter is a relatively small programme when you compare it with the com - mercial aircraft programmes we also work on. But for me it is certainly the most prestigious. “I guess you could compare it to Formula As a world leader in aircraft landing and braking systems, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty can boast One cars against trains or buses. At air shows the Typhoon is always the one that everyone is some impressive numbers. It delivers solutions to 30 leading commercial, military, business waiting for — the highlight. And we all feel a bit and regional airframers. It supports more than 25,000 aircraft. These make over 40,000 of pride when we see it go through its paces landings every single day. But if you were to ask Andrew Roberts,Programme Manager for UK Military and Commuter,to list all the different aircraft he works with, the chances are he’d start with Eurofighter Typhoon. >>

… and lands. The sad ones amongst us go to the likes of Farnborough and, instead of look - ing at the aircraft, we look at the landing gear! It shows how keen we are.” Messier-Bugatti-Dowty delivered its 500th Eurofighter landing gear set this year, under - lining its commitment to the programme. The original Tranche 1 landing gear was modified for Tranche 2 onwards in order to support enhancements that would allow the aircraft to operate with higher mass configurations. The engineering involved represents a triumph of both form and function but Andrew knows that outside of his world few people cast admiring glances Typhoon’s way for the products he produces.  Testing brake temperatures… A vital part of ‘post-flight’ procedure 36 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD SUPPLIER SUPPLIER 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 37

>> HAPPY LANDINGS

be there in very a tight space. In fact it’s a The Eurofighter programme is unique for means different approaches both in terms of As a platform, Typhoon is going to be classic conflict. The landing gear needs to be Messier-Bugatti-Dowty in another way the engineering and operationally. around for decades to come, and with more light and small but at the same time very because they are the lead partners in a con - “Some of the partners are not our tradi - and more aircraft entered into service across strong and robust. That’s the exam question sortium along with Liebherr-Aerospace from tional suppliers; in fact, in some instances air forces, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty has been the Messier-Bugatti-Dowty team has had to Germany, Compania Espanola de Sistemas they are our competitors. Of course we all under no illusion as to the challenge still to find an answer to. Aeronauticos (CESA) from Spain and have different ways of working and we have come. “The Eurofighter goal was to create an Magnaghi Aeronautica SpA from Italy. As adapted to work well together. “We’ve worked hard with Eurofighter extremely agile and effective combat air - leader Messier-Bugatti-Dowty has two clear “A lot of people don’t realise what the con - Consortium members (Airbus Defence & craft,” explains Andrew. “This led to many responsibilities: namely engineering and sortium model has been set up to achieve. It Space, BAE Systems and Alenia) to under - technological step-changes in the air frame production schedule. has put a good robust supply chain across the stand very well the needs and requirements of and how it operates requiring it to be as light “It is the only kind of consortium-based European partner nations and means they can the platform today and way into the future to as possible, as well as maximising the number programme we work on, which is interesting,” develop and sustain expertise in-country. You ensure that we have mature ‘In-service’ of hard points for an array of payloads — says Andrew. “Working with the various work spread out capabilities in the different nations support systems well in advance of end of weapons, surveillance and fuel tanks. share partners in their respective countries and long term it’s better.” Series Production,” says Andrew. << “The landing gear, although absolutely essential to operate the aircraft, is by nature a second priority. It was designed around two primary parameters – weight and bay enve - lope. These presented significant challenges and we had to come up with a very specific design solution to meet them. “In Eurofighter the main landing gear is designed with a mechanism that significantly shortens the main gear as it retracts, which means it can fit into a much smaller envelope. It actually shortens it by quite a considerable amount. This is not necessarily typical for landing gear but we had to do that with Typhoon in order to fit into the envelope that we were afforded.” Solving the bay envelope conundrum wasn’t the only factor at play for Andrew and his team. Another consideration was the material. “Compared to the aircraft we work on in the commercial market, the Typhoon has different testing parameters. The solution has to be able to cope with ballistics and so on but we are not able to use exotic (or expensive) materials because long term we need to en - sure that costs are kept down. We use materi - als that are widely procurable across the aero - space industry. “Also, with a military aircraft like Typhoon, there are more onerous tests around the land - ing gear because the aircraft often has to operate in less than ideal environments. For example, we go through extra design consid - erations for different runway types. Typically an A320 will take off from a runway that is perfectly smooth. With Typhoon by contrast we can’t be sure what the state of the runway is going to be like and we factor different stan - dards into the design. Plus military jets tend “The Eurofighter goal was to create an extremely to have heavier landings and of course the urgency around military take off compared to agile and effective combat aircraft ...” commercial puts more stresses and strains on the equipment.” Other things the team has to consider include corrosion protection, impact and even coping with chemical and biological agents in a war zone. 38 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD AIR POLICING AIR POLICING 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 39

ON PATROL IN THE BALTICS

As the UK RAF’s term of policing Baltic airspace for NATO approached its midway point, Eurofighter WORLD spoke to Typhoon pilot Flt Lt Oli Fleming about life on base, working with the latest version of the P1EB, and chasing down some Russian MIG 31 Foxhounds. >>

Photo: Cpl Dave Blackburn, Crown Copyright 40 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD AIR POLICING AIR POLICING 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 41

>> ON PATROL IN THE BALTICS

© MoD Crown copyright 2015 © MoD Crown copyright 2014

 No. 6 Squadron Typhoons on a exercise  A RAF Typhoon accompanying a Russian Coot electronic  Interception work is part of the daily routine on intelligence gathering aircraft over the Baltic Baltic Patrol

treaking across the clear blue Baltic but for Eurofighter pilot Flt Lt Fleming the “The way the Russians are flying the aircraft rotation basis with NATO members, such as Enhancement Bravo); this allows us to com - Flt Lt Fleming is typically cautious when sky, Typhoon pilot Flt Lt Oli Fleming hit scramble was a typical day at the office. is not aggressive, and we are just there to get Spain, Italy and Germany. plete lots of air-to-surface training with the talking about his mission, but says life on the SMach 1.5 after scrambling to identify “The first thing we’ll know about a launch confirmation of who they are and where they’re For Flt Lt Fleming, this commitment to Litening pod.” Amari base is good: “It’s a conscripts’ base so two planes heading into international airspace is the scramble siren sounding,” says Flt Lt going. Also they are operating outside the rules policing Baltic airspace means he and his And when it comes to performance, he’s fairly basic, but they’ve built extra accommoda - near Kaliningrad. All he knew was that they Fleming, “and at that the point the two pilots of the air so there is a flight safety role in us fellow pilots are constantly on standby for the got no doubt about the suitability of the tion for NATO countries on Baltic Air Policing, were there without a filed flight plan. on duty will run to their separate jets as the escorting them to ensure they are clear of civil - next scramble. Typhoon for the role of Baltic Air Policing: which allows us to have the whole team on As he pulled alongside, he realised they engineers do the same thing. ian traffic. Obviously there’s always the possi - “The pilots operate on a one-week-on, one- “It’s pretty much unbeatable. If we’re in a base and work much more effectively. were aircraft he’d never come across before: “The reason we launch is to visually identi - bility any aircraft we’re launched against could week-off basis for QRA,” says Flt Lt Fleming. scramble we can get airborne very quickly. “Obviously they know there’s a new NATO Russian MiG31s. fy it, so we’re not actually sure what we’re react, but that’s not the reason they’re out “We’ll do three or four 24-hour shifts in a The Typhoon has the power to get up to team coming in there every four months or so, Flt Lt Fleming didn’t know it then, but that going to go up against. There is definitely a there and we’re just showing our commitment week, so basically we are in a waiting room – height and speed rapidly; this is far superior and they’re very friendly to us and go out of day in June was fast becoming the busiest RAF large adrenalin rush as you run to the jet and to the NATO policing by escorting them through what we call the ready room – at the base for to anything we are used to. their way to help us to ensure we are comfort - Typhoons had faced since their deployment to get airborne as quickly as possible. Then it’s a the Baltic airspace.” that whole period, in our kit and ready to go.” “When I was chasing the MiG31s, I need - able and can complete the mission. the Amari Air Base in Estonia. case of what you’re going to be up against, Flt Lt Fleming is a member of 6 Squadron, When the pilots aren’t on alert, they oper - ed to maintain 1.5 times the speed of sound “It’s quite a remote base – we’re an hour In the space of 24 hours the Quick how many aircraft you may see. RAF Lossiemouth, who were sent out to ate a normal flying programme, training with just to chase them down, which in another or so from the nearest town. We actually did a Reaction Alert (QRA) teams were scrambled “The MiG31s were a bit of a surprise Estonia at the beginning of May as part of the Baltic forces and other nations based in the aircraft would be a huge ask. The Typhoon fly past over the city of Talinn, which was pret - four times to intercept Russian planes – two because they were something we’d not expe - UK’s commitment to Baltic Air Policing. region. allows us to get within visual range in an ty incredible. It just brings home to you why Tu-22M3 Backfire C bombers, two An-26 Curl rienced before on a QRA and never expected With no air defence fighters of their own, “We’ve been carrying out air combat train - incredibly fast time frame. you’re out here and you get a real feeling of surveillance aircraft, an A-50 Mainstay and, to see. But the procedure remains the same: Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are covered by ing with some of the Italian Typhoons and “And then there’s the aircraft’s operational pride to know you’re playing a part in keeping for the first time, Six MiG-31BM Foxhound we get alongside and take some pictures of NATO Assurance Measures, which keep the Norwegian F16s, so we do get a lot of prac - capability – it hardly uses any fuel, and the on - the region safe and secure.” << fighters. the aircraft for intelligence gathering, report it region’s airspace secure. The UK is one of tice,” says Flt Lt Fleming. “We are fortunate board systems can really help us out. The fact Some of the UK press called the event the back to ground control and then stay along - several nations which plays a part policing enough to be operating the latest version of we can use an imaging pod to look at aircraft ‘biggest act of provocation since the Cold War’, side until we’re ordered to haul off. this airspace, working on a four-monthly the Typhoon called P1EB (Phase 1 on the radar as well is a huge benefit.” 42 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD EUROFIGHTER PEOPLE EUROFIGHTER PEOPLE 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 43 THE YOUNG GUNS

been interested in. The first time I went into VIRGINIA NOVARESE, 24 What does your day to day work look like? In this edition of Eurofighter WORLD , we turn the spotlight on three young Eurofighter the cockpit of an aircraft was when I was 10 Intern/Trainee in the E-Marketing When I was training in PR & Comms I had a years old. Department daily routine of preparing the Press Clippings interns and trainees: Greg Burnett, Carlos Garcia and Virginia Novarese . every morning and looking after the gift shop What has surprised you most? or fulfilling other communication projects in We discuss their hopes, ambitions and what they have learned during their stint in I like working here because there are a lot of the afternoons. In E-Marketing I’ve had a more people from different countries and in the flexible job carrying out various projects — Eurofighter. >> IWSSC you get to work directly with some jobs can last from a couple of hours, customers. We work as a team group and we others entire weeks. make a difference for customers. It is good to build the relationships. How are you treated? GREG BURNETT, 21 I was walking down the corridor with someone keen to learn as much as I can and I have I feel very well treated in the company. Working with the Weapons Systems and I heard her speak in four different lan - asked as many questions as I can. To be able How have you found living away from Everyone has always been extremely kind and Integration Team on Future Requirements guages in the space of five minutes. It was to say that I went off to a different country, on home? patient with me. People have been very friend - Capture amazing to see her do that with such ease. It’s my own and worked in an environment like When I first came here it was hard but I like ly and I truly feel part of the teams I’ve worked a place that really brings people from different this and made a contribution will only stand Germany and I like Munich. Of course it is dif - in. I have made many real friendships. places and different cultures together. me in good stead and make me stand out from ferent from Spain: the people are more seri - the crowd. ous and it can be difficult to make friends. What have you learned? How have you found living away from But the opportunity to speak and get to know In the PR & Communications department I home? Has it broadened your horizons? new people and listen to different points of learnt a lot about the importance of media, I settled in fine. Munich is such a beautiful city Definitely. Seeing different people from differ - views has been good. The other big differ - the differences between different publications and I haven’t had any problem finding things ent cultures has been great. ence is the food. It’s not a Mediterranean diet and about how social media activity can be to do. The public transport system makes it – there’s a lot of meat! used to promote Eurofighter. In E-Marketing, I very easy to get around. Here at Eurofighter What would your advice be to a student How did you gain the opportunity? have learned about the many different levels everyone has been really friendly. reading this? What does your day to day work look like? I was about to get my Bachelor Degree in sales campaigns are approached and how cru - Go for it! I have been looking at a project plan to carry Logistic and Production Engineering and I cial industrial support can be in influencing a What have been your biggest challenges? out improvement for the partners and tactical wanted to have a prestigious training experi - political decision. I have also learned a little Understanding all the documents. There are a CARLOS GARCIA, 25 changes. The aim is to improve the depart - ence like this. Amazingly enough I received bit of German! lot of industry specific acronyms and jargon Working in the International Weapons ment and make processes leaner and that news that my application was successful on that you have to get used to. But it gets easier System Support Centre - IWSSC will save costs for our industry partners and my graduation day. It was one of the best grad - How do you think this internship will help you? and more familiar with each day. customers. Working on the plan means I have uation presents I could have wished for. I hope an internship in such a prestigious in - to speak with everyone in the department. ternational company will have a very positive What does your day to day work look like? I started my Internship in PR & Comms and impact on my CV and will help me find an in - It varies – which is a plus. I have done lots of How are you treated? have since moved into the E-Marketing depart - teresting and satisfying job in the future. ‘concept of operations’ work and the first I am treated as part of the team. I am not ment which has given me the opportunity to How did you gain the opportunity? thing I was asked to do was reformat some - seen as ‘the trainee’, I am just another mem - learn about another branch of the business. Has it broadened your horizons? I was looking for something and heard about thing. Recently I turned a report into a 10 ber of the team. The team has really helped Absolutely! It’s my first experience of the Eurofighter. So I made some enquiries and as page Powerpoint presentation and then me and they quickly gave me valuable feed - What attracted you to working at working world and I’ve realised how much soon as I got the chance I said yes. presented it to 15 people. It was quite daunt - back. Eurofighter? more interesting dealing with something con - ing at first but very rewarding. I had a little background in civil aviation thanks crete is compared to theoretical university What attracted you to working at What have you learned? to an internship in Sagat S.p.A., the studies. I know I still have a lot to learn but I Eurofighter? How are you treated? It is very different from university where you Management Company of Turin Airport. From feel much more ready and look forward to I have always wanted to be a pilot with the I was told right from the start that I wasn’t just are working on your own. Here it is valuable the office windows I could see Eurofighter new working experiences. RAF and as they use the Eurofighter Typhoon I here to make the coffee. I get treated well, to work in a team. Typhoons taking off and landing every day and thought it would be really good if I could go to just like anyone else in the team. It shows they was fascinated by the aircraft! What would your advice be to a student Munich. Then in the years to come I will be think I am capable. How do you think this traineeship will reading this? able to say I’ve worked with Eurofighter. The help you? What has surprised you most? I would encourage every student to take the job is really interesting because it is all about What have you learned? I like the aviation world. Eurofighter is not I’d say the consortium nature of the business challenge of leaving the safety of their homes the aircraft and it gives you a good under - I have never worked in a professional office typical of the whole industry but I will be aim - and how people from different mother compa - and stepping into the unknown by moving to a standing of working behind the scenes. When environment before. There is a lot more team - ing to apply for something in aviation. nies, different countries and who speak differ - new country and learning a new job. It really I go back I’ll be going into my fourth year of work required. Working here has made me How did you gain the opportunity? ent languages all come together. It’s fascinat - is a wonderful opportunity and a life changing aero mechanical engineering at university. I realise you have to work with everyone else and I am here for seven months. I knew the Has it broadened your horizons? ing having so many cultures working harmo - experience! looked to go into the RAF when I left high communicate – it’s so different to university. Company was looking for a graduate trainee Definitely. Seeing and working with different niously on such a complex project. school but was advised to take up a degree. I and I wanted to give it a go. people from different cultures on a day to day have always wanted to fly, it has always fasci - How do you think this internship will help basis has been a valuable experience. How have you found living away from home? Since this article was written Virginia moved on nated me and so aero mechanical engineering you? What attracted you to Eurofighter? It’s second nature to me now. When I was 16 I to the Eurofighter Production department. was the closest I could do. It has let me see what a future career might I’m from Spain and I wanted to come to a mul - What would your advice be to a student went as an exchange student to Alaska for a look like. I think working at Eurofighter will ticultural international company. I was also reading this? year. Even the Bavarian winter was nothing What has surprised you most? stand out on my CV. It is not just about work - keen to have the chance to gain experience in Apply. They would gain experience of a truly compared to Alaska! Munich is a fabulous The variety of people who work here which ing here but getting to work with so many tal - the aviation sector. My father worked in the mixed cultural environment and I highly place to live. It's a very dynamic city with a lot creates a unique cultural mix. On my first day ented and experienced people. I have been aviation world and it’s something I’ve always recommend it. of opportunities. 44 2015• EUROFIGHTER WORLD ROUND UP SOCIAL MEDIA 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 45

Stay connected with us: NEW NIGHT VISION FIGHTER PILOT HELMET MORE AGILE THAN BE PART TAKES TO THE SKIES *This article updates the Striker ll ‘Bring on the Night’ feature which you can read in the last issue EVER... of Eurofighter WORLD

urofighter Partner Company, BAE The Company will continue to evaluate the urofighter Partner Company Airbus It’s never been easier to keep bang up-to-date with all the very latest Systems has begun night trials on the helmet’s integration with Eurofighter Typhoon Defence and Space has recently complet - information and images from the world of Eurofighter. EStriker® II helmet-mounted display aircraft in another series of flight trials later Eed flight-testing of a package of aerody - Our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are regularly (HMD), its’ most advanced fighter pilot helmet this year. namic upgrades to the Eurofighter Typhoon updated to keep you in the picture. You won’t miss a thing. Please yet, to evaluate its digital night vision capability. “The second set of trials is the next step known as the Aerodynamic Modification Kit. join in — follow, like, share and engage with our evergrowing fan base. Successful trials will lead the way to a fully in the flight test program to prove Striker II The modifications comprise of additional fuse - integrated digital night vision helmet replacing offers true ‘plug and play’ compatibility with lage strakes and leading-edge root extensions the need for traditional analogue night vision the Typhoon and builds upon the initial trials designed to increase the maximum lift creat - Be part of our social media family. goggles. to further evaluate the digital night vision ed by the wing. Now, over 30 flight trials on Developed and tested by BAE Systems, capability,” said Chris Colston, Business IPA7 have produced better than expected Visit us online @ www.eurofighter.com Striker II is a fully digital solution that provides Development Director. results in improving the aircraft’s agility, today’s combat pilot with exceptional night Striker II also includes a cutting-edge which in turn has the potential to enhance the vision and target tracking technology. The tracking system that ensures the pilot’s exact Eurofighter’s capability in close quarter aerial Eurofighter EPC has begun evaluating the dig - head position and the aircraft computer combat or ‘dogfighting’. ital night vision capability through a series of system are continuously in sync, reducing night flight trials from its Military Air & problems common to other HMD’s. The track - Information business in Warton, Lancashire. ing system in Striker II eliminates any delay in “Striker II has a high-definition, lightweight determining where the pilot is looking and night vision camera which translates informa - can therefore perfectly position symbology tion and displays it on the helmet’s visor. This test pilot at BAE Systems’ Warton site. “The onto the visor. removes the need for heavy night vision gog - helmet provides a clear and accurate visual The results are high-precision target gles which increase g-force pressures on the display and a seamless transition from day to tracking and engagement as well as superi - head and neck, limiting the pilot’s manoeuvra - night, eliminating the need to manually con - or situational awareness and mission effec - bility in the cockpit,” said Peter Kosogorin, figure and adjust night vision goggles.” tiveness.

FURTHER SUCCESSFUL METEOR TRIALS

FOR EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON The flight trials were conducted with inte - grated support from QinetiQ, MBDA and Selex AE Systems, one of the Eurofighter The integration of the Meteor weapon adds and form part of a contract to fully integrate Partner Companies, has successfully another layer to Eurofighter Typhoon’s multi- the Meteor missile onto Typhoon in 2017. Bcompleted guided firing trials with the role capabilities, ensuring the pilot is able to Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile engage hostile air threats at long range at the Read more on how weapons such as Meteor launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. same time as identifying and engaging targets are integrated into the Eurofighter Typhoon on The trials took place at the MoD’s Hebrides on the ground. page 8. range in the UK in August and saw the aircraft conduct guided Meteor firings against real air In reality, the Eurofighter Typhoon is targets in preplanned scenarios. The trials are already incredibly agile, and there is little part of the Phase 2 Enhancements flight test more manoeuvrability that can be added with - campaign, delivering a range of new and im - out the aircraft going beyond the levels of proved capabilities to the aircraft including g-force that a pilot can stand. However, the Meteor and Storm Shadow. new approach could enable the aircraft to Typhoon aircraft IPA6, a Tranche 2 stan - KEY FACTS: carry much heavier and larger air-to-ground dard aircraft equipped with the latest P2E soft - weapons whilst maintaining its current air-to- IN OUR NEXT ISSUE... ware, was used for the trials. Test Pilot Nat air performance. Produced by MBDA, Meteor is an active radar guided missile designed to provide a Makepeace flew the aircraft and said, “The air -  The modification could be offered to multi-shot capability against long-range manoeuvring targets, such as fast jets, small craft and missile performed as expected, current and potential future customers of the Don’t miss the latest news and features on unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures locating the target accurately and maintaining Eurofighter Typhoon. It‘s one of a number of environment. a datalink communication between the developments geared at enhancing the fight - Eurofighter Typhoon: Capable of engaging air targets during day and night, and in all-weather conditions, weapon and the aircraft. This year is undoubt -  er's performance and swing-role capability in the Meteor will complement Typhoon’s existing missile systems, providing pilots edly one of the most exciting years I have order to secure further export orders. These Insider reports on the latest capability upgrades; with a greater choice of weapons during combat.  experienced in the development of Typhoon. These trials take place in a year that has seen progress across a range of pro- include the E-scan radar and a number of We are taking to the skies with upgraded soft -  weapon trials, including Meteor, Brimstone, Get to the heart of the aircraft with our expert guides; grammes for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The UK RAF is now operating the most  ware, trailing new night vision helmet tech - advanced Typhoon to date with the latest Phase 1 Enhancement package now in Storm Shadow and Paveway IV. nologies, developing and expanding weapons operation. This upgrade delivers true simultaneous swing-role capability to Typhoon. Find out more about the people and personalities capabilities and looking forward to flying the   Progress is also being made across a number of weapons programmes including E-scan radar all in the space of a year.” Storm Shadow and Brimstone. that make Eurofighter Typhoon so special. 46 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD ROUND UP ROUND UP 2015 • EUROFIGHTER WORLD 47

The Eurofighter Typhoon – The Most Reliable and Powerful Congratulations to all our Customers from everyone Multi-Role/ Swing Role Fighter Jet of its kind in the World. in Eurofighter WORLD. Now with more than 300,000 Flying Hours to its credit across a fleet of over 440 aircraft .