A Matter of Fact - Eurofighter Typhoon Leads the Way at ILA
23/05/2008 08:04
PR Newswire
HALLBERGMOOS (ILA) and BERLIN, Germany, May 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurofighter Typhoon has the largest order book and series
production in the fighter aircraft market. 707 weapon systems under contract
is an indisputable fact that leaves the competition trailing. Backed up by
the analysts at Forecast International, this unbeatable statistic reflects
the market now and for the foreseeable future.
Fact! 146 aircraft delivered to five Air Forces, Eurofighter
Typhoon is the first line of European air defence.
Fact! 39,000 in-service flying hours in ten units across
Europe demonstrates operator confidence in the weapon system and its
flexibility in satisfying the varying and exacting demands of the Air Forces.
Fact! Two export contracts secured, with the first nation,
Austria, due to follow the lead of the four core Air Forces and place
Eurofighter Typhoon on air surveillance duties this Summer.
Aloysius Rauen, CEO Eurofighter GmbH, comments: "As the ILA
Berlin airshow opens, the Eurofighter programme finds itself in very strong
position. All Tranche 1 aircraft to the core Air Forces have been delivered.
The first Tranche 2 Eurofighter Typhoon joined the Test & Evaluation
programme earlier in 2008. Some 40 aircraft from the second Tranche are
already in final assembly. The work on the Type Acceptance process, the
enabler for further capabilities to the customer, is underway with first
handovers scheduled for Summer. The proposals for Tranche 3 were delivered on
deadline in December 2007 and the authorisation process for the third Tranche
is ongoing.
The Air Forces are beginning to exploit the full potential of
the weapon system. The first four nation exercise was hosted by the Spanish
Air Force in March and highlighted the benefits of Eurofighter Typhoon's
interoperability. The nations continuously base their air defence on
Eurofighter Typhoon. "
The Flight Test teams across the programme are delivering
capability at pace. The conclusion of AMRAAM firing tests in February means
that all required weapons for operation with Tranche 1 are now cleared,
including AIM-9L, ASRAAM, AMRAAM and Iris-T for air-to-air combat, and
Paveway II (UK), Enhanced Paveway II, GBU-10 and GBU-16 for air-to-ground
tasks. In addition, the Combined Test Team, comprising representatives from
BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force, has finalised the integration work on
the Laser Designator Pod. This enhanced air-to-ground capability for British
Tranche 1 aircraft has been recently praised internally by the Royal Air
Force as being the "best we have".
Aloysius Rauen: "The facts speak for themselves. Eurofighter
Typhoon really is going from strength to strength. Flexible, capable and with
an inherent growth potential - nothing comes close."
The Eurofighter presence at ILA features a Business Pavilian
showcasing the Cockpit Demonstrator (EOC standard) and a host of technology
exhibits reflecting the advanced nature of the aircraft. In the flying
display, project pilots from Military Air Systems, a business unit of EADS
Defence & Security, will enthrall the spectators with an eye-catching routine
in a German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon.
Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new
generation swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been
ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract, it is
Europe's largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge
technology, strengthening Europe's aerospace industry in the global
competition. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the
programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of
its shareholders Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS
Deutschland, Europe's foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of
EUR60.7 billion (2006).
High resolution images of the Eurofighter Typhoon can be
downloaded from our website. Hard copy images are available on request.
http://www.eurofighter.com/medialibrary
For More Information contact
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler
Vice President Communication
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-555 (Office)
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile)
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com
Phillip Lee
External Communications
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-587
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com
For More Information contact: Wolfdietrich Hoeveler, Vice President Communication, Eurofighter GmbH, +49-811-801-555 (Office), +49-172-832-9751(Mobile), wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com; Phillip Lee, External Communications, Eurofighter GmbH, +49-811-801-587, phillip.lee@eurofighter.com
-