PROGRAMME NEWS & FEATURES JANUARY 2021 Chain Reaction Pilot Brief: Interoperability Eurofighter and FCAS Weapon System of Choice 38 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the Luftwaffe 2021 · EUROFIGHTER WORLD 2021 · EUROFIGHTER WORLD 3 Contents Programme News & Features January 2021 Welcome 4 Weapon System of Choice Airbus’ Head of Combat Aircraft Systems Kurt Rossner discusses the full implications of Germany’s decision to replace its existing Tranche 1 aircraft under the Quadriga programme. Cover: © Picture: images.art.design. GmbH, 12 Chain Reaction Lucas Westphal We speak to four businesses across Europe about the importance of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme for the Looking back, 2020 was a year few of us will ever The Eurofighter programme supports over 400 business- defence industry and the enriched technology capabilities forget. Because of the impact of the Covid-19 es across Europe, sustaining more than 100,000 jobs. it has helped bring about. pandemic we all faced huge professional and personal That’s why in this edition we shine the spotlight on some Eurofighter World is published by challenges. What stood out for me was the way every- of those supply chain businesses. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH 18 Mission Future: Eurofighter and FCAS one involved in the Eurofighter project worked closer PR & Communications In the first of series of exclusive articles our experts exam- together than ever before to deliver. Elsewhere in the magazine we examine Eurofighter’s Am Söldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos [email protected] ine Eurofighter’s place alongside a next generation fighter place alongside a next gen- in the future operating environment. Germany’s decision to replace eration fighter in the future Editorial Team Tony Garner its existing Tranche 1 aircraft battlespace. Two former Mark Ritson 24 Inside the Factory of the future under the Quadriga pro- Typhoon pilots take an expert Luca Accinni We discover how manufacturing on Eurofighter Typhoon is gramme was a clear high point look at the role Eurofighter will Contributors advancing all the time with insights from Professor Andy of the last few months. It was play in this future. Airbus Defence and Space Schofield, Technology Delivery Director at BAE Systems a real vote of confidence in the BAE Systems Leonardo Air. Eurofighter programme and a Of course, as I write this today, Viva PR really powerful message from Eurofighter remains the back- Photography 26 Pilot Brief on interoperability a core customer. bone of combat air capability Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH Eurofighter pilot Daniel Krueger explains everything there for a number of air forces and Eurofighter Partner Companies is to know about Interoperability — why it’s important and In this edition of Eurofight- naturally, throughout this edition, Martin Agüera Giovanni Colla why it will remain crucial in the future. er World, we speak to Kurt we reflect on the work being car- Geoffrey Lee, Planefocus Ltd. Rossner from Airbus Germany ried out. Jamie Hunter Dr. Stefan Petersen/Bundeswehr 30 All About the Base and Andrea Thompson from Find out about why the Italian Air Force has officially BAE Systems and get their Reading this latest issue of included the 51° Stormo at Istrana Air Force Base among Editorial thoughts on what Quadriga Eurofighter World, it is clear to the units responsible for national defence following the means for the programme in see that this is an aircraft that deployment of a Eurofighter fleet. the long term. continues to go from strength to Design & Production images.art.design. Werbeagentur GmbH strength, supported by a group www.iad-design.de 32 Life Through the Lens: Jamie Hunter The Quadriga contract is of people who are as firmly Printed by Photographer, videographer and specialist aviation content good news for the whole committed as ever. ESTA Druck GmbH creator Jamie Hunter reveals the secrets behind one of his consortium and, as such, www.esta-druck.de favourite Eurofighter Typhoon photo shoots. was warmly welcomed by our partner compa- nies — Leonardo, BAE Systems, Airbus Spain Enjoy the read, 34 10 Things about the Tactical Leadership Programme and Airbus Germany. But we should never under- Eurofighter World on the Internet With the help of Maj Pil Daniele ‘Marmo’ Marmiroli, Air to estimate the wider economic impact it will have. www.world.eurofighter.com Air Instructor, we present an insider’s guide to the Tactical Follow us on: Leadership Programme (TLP) at Albacete Air Base. 38 Largest UK exercise in over a decade Herman Claesen Exercise Crimson Warrior also involved the Royal Navy, CEO British Army, United States Marine Corps and United Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH You can find information on how Eurofighter States Air Force. Jagdflugzeug GmbH processes personal data and your rights on our website: 41 New NETMA GM looking forward to 2021 challenges www.eurofighter.com/data-protection- Interview with Miguel Ángel Martín Pérez. disclaimer January 2021 42 Swiss Offer Latest With Switzerland looking to replace its F-5 and F/A-18 fleet with a more modern fleet we catch up with Franz Posch, CEO, Airbus DS Schweiz, who is leading the campaign for Eurofighter, about what 2021 will bring. 4 2021 · EUROFIGHTER WORLD QUADRIGA QUADRIGA 2020 · EUROFIGHTER WORLD 5 Weapon System of Choice The Quadriga deal is a long term boost for Eurofighter Eurofighter Typhoon is confirmed as Ger- This news is a further boost for the Eurofighter ments and the threat environment they will further. In total there will be around 150 to gap after the Kuwait and Qatar aircraft are many’s weapons system of choice, says programme, following the E-Scan radar ret- face. “Clearly Eurofighter will be an essential 200 people out of the Manching Eurofighter completed. We have already embedded our Airbus’ Head of Combat Aircraft Systems Kurt ro-embodiment contracts for the Spanish part of the future combat [FCAS] ecosystem workforce up to 3000 working purely on plans into a production continuation plan.” Rossner, following the country’s decision to Ejército del Aire and German Luftwaffe and play a part in the system of systems. That Quadriga tasks. replace its existing Tranche 1 aircraft under Typhoon fleets and the continuation of the de- means we have to grow the aircraft capability However, Kurt says that this is not simply EXPORT BOOST the Quadriga programme. velopment of E-Scan version Mk2 announced to meet the demands of the FCAS environ- a job numbers story. “That’s a quantitative Kurt says the fact that Germany has decided “It’s a really powerful message from a core in the summer. ment.” issue, the qualitative issue is more important. to back Eurofighter once again is a strong customer,” says Kurt, who is also Chairman Kurt says that because Quadriga is a show People are extremely proud to work on this sales message. “If you have a fully convinced, of the Eurofighter Supervisory Board. “It's a of faith from one of the original core partners, THE INDUSTRIAL IMPACT programme and to work on a new aircraft. happy customer procuring the same product, sign of their appreciation of our performance. the decision will resonate far and wide. It Ahead of the Quadriga signing, the Eurofighter “Currently Manching is carrying out that demonstrates they are happy with It says they are very happy with the aircraft represents both a continuation in the produc- Partner Companies (EPCs), Airbus Germany, excellent work delivering centre fuselages the performance, with the support, with because they could have postponed the order tion and, at the same time, a positive signal Airbus Spain, BAE Systems and Leonardo, for export to Qatar and Kuwait. But we really everything. It’s just like if you buy the same or even selected a different one.” that the capability roadmap will be extended, worked together on a plan to bridge the pro- miss having brand new aircraft to deliver. It's car for the second time — it speaks volumes He believes the deal, which extends the because Germany is now committed to Euro- duction gap following the completion of the a different mindset. It fills you with pride and about how happy you are with that model. usage life of the Typhoon, will reinvigorate fighter until at least 2050 – 2060. final Tranche 3 jet. because of that Quadriga is a real boost for For Eurofighter this is a huge demonstration of Europe’s industrial defence base, boost the “The German Air Force is a very stable At the Airbus facility in Manching, Germa- the site.” support, even better than an export customer Eurofighter’s export campaigns in Switzerland, ecosystem, and, through Quadriga, it is clear- ny, Quadriga started life in 2020 with about Though work on the final assembly will win in some respects, because it's a continu- Finland. Furthermore, the deal serves as a ly planning on the aircraft having an in-service 100 people working on the long-term initiative, start in 2023, the production process is ation and thus a very positive signal. catalyst for future capability. life of at least 30 to 40 years,” he says. “That the planning, preparation and procurement already underway starting with procuring the “This is a programme that is very much Under the deal, announced in the Bunde- means we have to enable Eurofighter’s elements. When the first major components titanium and other metals required. “We have alive. The contract sends a strong message to stag in November, Germany has committed capability growth to meet their expectation. arrive for equipping the team will grow to a very detailed plan for each of the aircraft. All potential export countries like Finland, Swit- to 38 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the We look forward to further developing the air- almost 200 to 250. the industry partners started their long-term zerland, Egypt and Bangladesh that they can Luftwaffe.