Special Sub-Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon II Authored by: kyleastewart Sub-topic of: Air Forces

An early design that led to the Typhoon, the Future European Fighter Aircraft, had five member nations: Britain, Germany, Spain, France and Italy. After massive disagreements in 1985, which nation went on their own and designed their own aircraft?

France. France required a lightweight fighter that could operate from an aircraft carrier. The F/EFA was too heavy, and after further disagreement (France wanted 50% of the workshare and overall project control, which Britain and Germany found unacceptable), Britain, Germany and Italy left the consortium and formed their own EFA project, which Spain later joined. France ultimately designed the Rafale, which is now their carrier-based air superiority fighter.

One of the primary high-tech sensors used in the Typhoon is PIRATE? What does it stand for?

Passive Infra Red Airborne Tracking Equipment. The PIRATE system is designed so the Typhoon can detect, identify, target and engage hostile aircraft out to 50nm, without being detected by enemy aircraft (it does not emit any sort of electromagnetic radiation like a radar). It incorporates both Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) and Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) systems.It is constructed by Pilkington-Thorn Optronics (now Thales Optronics).

What sort of wing design does the Typhoon have?

Delta-canard tail-less. The delta wing provides an incredibly efficient lifting surface, and provides high lift at all speeds. The pitch (up and down) of the aircraft is provided by the control canards just below the cockpit, in front of the main wing. Control canards provide superior maneouvrability, and combined with the high lift wing and incredibly powerful engines, the Typhoon is capable of pulling maneouvres that can be difficult in conventional layout aircraft.

How many internal guns does the Typhoon have?

1. The single barrel Mauser BK-27 cannon fires up to 1700 27mm shells per minute. While slower than Gatling-type guns like the 20mm M61A1 (up to 6600 rpm), the BK-27 does not have to spin up to full speed like its multi-barreled counterpart. In 0.5 sec, the BK-27 spits out 4kg of shells, while the M61A1 fires 2kg (although the 20mm will fire more rounds in total).

How many external stations for weapons and fuel does the Typhoon have?

13. The Typhoon has one centreline hardpoint, four conformal fuselage hardpoints, and four hardpoints on each wing. Maximum payload is between 6500-7500kg, which includes up to ten missiles (two more than the F-22 Raptor).

The original engine that powered test version of the Typhoon was the RB199, as used in the Panavia Tornado. What powers the Typhoon now?

EJ200. The EJ200 has almost half as many parts as the RB199 (1,800 vs 2,845) and produces 13,500 lb of thrust (22,500 lb with afterburner). Each engine can be replaced by two technicians (with the right equipment) in about 45 minutes. The F100-PW-100 is the Pratt & Whitney engine used by the F-15 Eagle.

The Typhoon II is designed to land on a carrier.

f. Eurofighter is looking into future variants that can land on carriers, but is currently more focused on enhancing its existing capabilities. Even though it has an arrestor hook, it is for emergency runway landings if the brakes/parachute fail.

The Typhoon can engage air targets behind it.

t. The combination of the helmet mounted sight and the highly maneouvrable Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) allows the Typhoon to attack aircraft "over the shoulder". This makes the Typhoon even more dangerous in a dogfight, as it doesn't have to be pointed at its target to fire.

Is the Typhoon classed as a stealth aircraft?

n. The Typhoon was never designed for stealth, but is a Low Observable aircraft. There are a number of design features that reduce the radar cross section of the aircraft, making it about one tenth that of the Tornado. Radar absorbent materials, automatic emission controls, and S-shaped intakes to prevent radar reflection off engine compressor blades are a few of the many measures employed.

The Typhoon II can take off and land vertically.

f. The biggest issue with VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) is that you must produce more thrust than the aircraft weighs. In order to achieve this with a full weapons load, the Typhoon must produce in excess of 50,000 lbs of thrust just to get it off the ground. This is currently very difficult to do with vectored thrust engines like the Harrier, and fan-lift engines like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.