Eurofighter Typhoon achieves 200,000 flying hours

by BA Staff

The Eurofighter Typhoon, once a contender in the Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMCRA) tender, has now achieved more than 200,000 flying hours since the entry-into-service of its worldwide fleet. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH confirmed the milestone today adding that, with 719 aircraft on contract, 571 aircraft ordered and 378 aircraft delivered, the programme has “never looked stronger”.

Alberto Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, said

“This impressive milestone underlines the outstanding track-record of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Today, our congratulations go to all the air forces who have achieved this target, to more than 100,000 employees in Europe who are involved in the development manufacturing and supply chain as well as to all the 400 companies who support us on a daily basis with their know-how and competences. This is indeed a proud day for all of them and a landmark day for Europe’s largest defence programme.” “Every day our aircraft are protecting the skies in Europe, the Middle East and even in the Southern hemisphere. They are on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Eurofighter Typhoon is combat proven since the Libya operations and is now gaining considerable momentum – indeed the programme has never looked stronger. It has become the backbone of the Air Forces in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and Austria. When the chips are down, air chiefs want an aircraft that is versatile, reliable, resilient and cost-effective. Eurofighter Typhoon fulfills all of these requirements and the operational experiences gained during these flying hours have proven it.”

The first 5,000 flying hours were achieved in November 2005. 10,000 hours came in August 2006 and 20,000 in May 2007. By August 2008, the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet had surpassed 50,000 hours and 100,000 flying hours was reached in January 2011. In the course of these flying hours, Eurofighter has demonstrated 100 per cent availability in numerous international deployments including: Alaska; Malaysia; the United Arab Emirates; the USA; and India.

The global Eurofighter fleet now comprises 20 operating units with locations in Europe, the South Atlantic and the Middle East. Specifically there are, 7 units in the UK (4 in Coningsby, 2 in Leuchars and 1 in Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands); 5 in Italy (2 in Grosseto, 2 in Gioia del Colle, 1 in Trapani); 3 in Germany (Laage, Neuburg and Nörvenich), as well as 3 in Spain (2 in Morón, 1 in Albacete) and one each in Austria (Zeltweg) and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - all of them have contributed to the 200,000 flying hour total.

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Farnborough air show 2012 images: Eurofighter Typhoon condensates and Qatar Airways Boeing 787 glows

Couple of more interesting images from the 2012 edition of the Farnborough International air show.

The Eurofighter Typhoon makes a full afterburner turn pulling extreme G's and causing condensation around the aircraft.

The second last fighter of Block 10 production and a tail number EH, BS094 is build no.1355 serial no. ZK333 of the 6th squadron. First flight on 12/Jan/2012, and delivered to the RAF for stationing at Coningsby 28/Mar/2012.

You can see the fighter at the start of its program in another extreme right turn manoeuvre here.

Boeing showcased Qatar Airways' first 787-8 Dreamliner in an air show flight demonstration, the first by the airframer in many years. The sun causing star-burst reflections on test registration N10187, while the extreme climb brings out wisps of condensation.

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Picture: Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 Royal Air Force at Farnborough air show

It has been a grey, cloudy, rainy start to the Farnborough air show 2012.

In the midst of the gloomy weather are these twin bright orange discs of flame. A picture of a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 with its afterburners burning a bright orange for your enjoyment.

Soon after lift off, even before the wheel covers fold back in to position, the Typhoon performs a tight right turn climb manoeuvre away from the runway and spectators, the hot jet wash from the afterburners obscures part of the aircraft.

Tail number EH is a very new aircraft. It was the second last fighter of the Block 10 production. BS094 is build no. 1355, serial no. ZK333. It had its first flight on 12/Jan/2012, and was delivered to the RAF on 28/Mar/2012. It is now part of the 6th squadron RAF, stationed at Coningsby.

Special thanks to Bangalore Aviation photographer Vedant for his quick processing of this photo.

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Dassault Rafale selected in $10.4 billion Indian Air Force MMRCA deal

One of the largest military contracts in the world, the Indian Air Force's competition for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) appears to have been decided in favour of the French airframer Dassault's Rafale, though there is no official confirmation.

Sources indicate the Rafale has been selected over the Eurofighter Typhoon from European competitor EADS for a contract estimated at around $10.4 billion (Rs. 51,000 Cr.), which has been keenly fought over for the better part of this century. Last year saw the exit of four other competitors the Lockheed Martin F-16IN SuperViper, the Boeing F/A-18E/F SuperHornet, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, and the MiG 35.

The Government will hold further negotiations on price with Dassault over the next two weeks and the contract is expected to be signed in the next fiscal year which commences on April 1.

As per terms of the tender Dassault is to supply 18 of the 126 ordered aircraft, within 36 months, from its facilities with the remaining aircraft being produced under license at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), in Bangalore.

This order will be a huge boost for both Dassault as well as President Sarkozy. Till date, the Rafale has been limited to service only at the French Air Force and Navy. Dassault has also won a small contract to sell a few planes to Brazil.

In selecting the Rafale, the sentiments of those "in the know", have been proven true. For the last two years sources have consistently told Bangalore Aviation that other things being equal, the Indian Air Force will go for Dassault, due to their long standing, and more importantly, very positive, relationship.

The Indian Air Force has used both the Ouragan and Mystère jets, and was one of the earliest adopters of the Mirage 2000 (called Vajra meaning Thunderbolt) despite skipping the famous Mirage III fighter.

In July 2011, India signed a contract worth $3 billion (Rs. 15,000 Cr.) to upgrade its fleet of 51 Mirage 2000H's to Mirage 2000-5 standard.

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Pictures: Eurofighter Typhoons arrive at Yelahanka for Aero India 2011

Two Eurofighter Typhoons of the Italian Air Force (tail numbers 4-5 and 36-23) arrived at the Air Force Station Yelahanka to participate in the 8th edition of the Aero India show.

On the ramp at Yelahanka next to the Sukhoi Su30MKI air superiority fighter

The Eurofighter is a strong contender for the $10+ billion tender for the Indian Air Force (IAF) Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).

Rumours have it that the Eurofighter is the top or second place finalist, but that the price is the sticking factor. Apparently the Americans (Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-16IN Super Viper) are way down in the competition and are being placated with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III order which is also of similar value.

The wildcard though, remains the Swedish Grippen. Its engines are the GE F414 which power the F/A-18's and have also been selected for the Tejas Mk II. The Grippen's look-down shoot down radar is also of US origin and there are serious concerns that the Americans may not give the needed permissions to fructify the sale of the Grippen to the IAF.

What are your thoughts ?

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Eurofighter Typoons arrive in Bangalore for Indian Air Force MMRCA flight testing

Two Eurofighter Typhoons 30-24 and 30-42 accompanied by their Airbus A310-304 MRTT arrived at Bangalore's HAL airport Thursday, February 18th afternoon at 15:40 (10:10Z). The three planes flew in over the airport in formation, and then peeled right. Great formation flying by all three.


One Typhoon did a low pass over runway 09 to inspect and familiarise, after which the three aircraft landed in sequence. Each of the Typhoons followed by the MRTT.


The Eurofighters are the last of the five contenders in the Indian Air Force's 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) procurement tender estimated at $10.5 billion (Rs. 55,000 Crore). Its competitors the Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper, F/A-18 SuperHornet, MiG-35, and Dassault Rafale have already completed their testing at Bangalore.

The crews will rest up and testing begins in earnest from Monday.

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Eurofighter Typoon thrust vectoring engine proposed for Tejas LCA

Eurojet is to propose a thrust-vectoring version of the Eurofighter Typhoon's EJ200 powerplant to meet India's requirement for up to 150 engines to equip the first squadrons of its indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

The Aeronautical Development Agency - which is leading development of the Tejas - is expected to issue a request for proposals in the next few weeks, pitching the EJ200 against General Electric's F414.

Read the complete story from Flight International here.

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