Eurofighter Typhoon is the only fighter plane in the world that is so advanced that it cannot be simply flown without the help of a computer.
This fighter jet is a Twin Engine, Canard –delta wing multirole fighter, which was designed originally for the purpose of being an Air Superiority fighter. This aircraft came into being by the combined efforts of the following leading aviation companies of the world.
- Airbus
- BA System
- Leonardo
The aircraft was built although by the consortium of all these companies was majorly conducted under a joint holding company by the name Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH formed back in 1986. The project is being managed by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency and they are its prime customers too.
While the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency is regarded as one of the most advanced killing machines in the world, it is at the same time a symbol of peace and cooperation due to a handful of the European countries joining hands and resources to make this aircraft into a reality.
The main countries, which developed and funded this project, were Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Other than these countries, which helped in the development of this aircraft, other countries like Saudi Arabia, France, Greece, and Austria are also using its fighter capabilities.
For our readers today we have gathered a bunch of amazing facts about this state of the art aircraft known commonly by the name Eurofighter Typhoon, which are as follows.
The Airframe:-
The airframe of this aircraft is built with advanced composite materials, which gives it a low radar profile as well as a strong airframe. The 15 percent of the aircraft’s surface is composed of metal, which gives it stealth, and protection capabilities from the radar-based systems.
This design o airframe allows the aircraft to retain its superior maneuverability at the subsonic speeds an also maintain the efficient supersonic capability during the wide range of combat missions.
Dimensions:-
The total length of this aircraft from tail to fin is about 15.96 meters and its wingspan is about 10.95 meters.
Sensors:-
The aircraft is equipped with world-class leading sensors to provide the pilot with unparallel situational awareness as well as the seamless integrating data for the actionable intelligence about the battlefield. The aircraft is equipped with two following Sensors.
- Pirate Infrared Sensor: This is an ideal supplement for both Radar and DASS (Defensive Aid Sub System). This system allows the aircraft to both detect and track multiple maneuvering objects at the same time.
- Radar: the aircraft comes with Captor-M, which is mechanically scanned radar and is the best kind in the world, which provides the pilot with a full suite of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface modes.
Cockpit:-
Throughout the designing of this aircraft, paramount importance has been placed upon the need for a single seat aircraft design. Many of the functions in this aircraft are controlled by voice recognition and all the essential data is displayed to the pilot in front.
Engines:-
The aircraft is equipped with two EF200 Turbofan engines, which are four meters in length each. They are capable of producing a thrust of about 90 knots each. The simple construction design for these thrusters ensures low maintenance cost but their future potential is bound to increase in power by up to 15%.
Top Speed:-
This aircraft can reach a top speed of Mach 2.
Joystick:-
The aircraft has the HOTAS (The Hands on Throttle and Stick) which is a single joystick that allows the pilot to have the fingertip control for up to 24 different functions. Some of these functions, which are controlled by this joystick, are as follows.
- Throttle
- Maneuvering
- Target manipulation
- Weapons control
Fuel systems:-
Fuel for the aircraft is stored in three tanks in the fuselage section. A tank is located in each wing, and a drop tank is also placed beneath each wing. For the long missions, an additional central drop tank can also be hanged near the fuselage. When the aircraft is fueled to maximum capacity, it weighs twice its original weight at 23500 kg.
Weapons:-
The aircraft comes with the firepower of 13 external weapon systems. Few of its primary weapon systems are as follows.
- Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (SRAAM’s)
- 27mm Mauser Cannon which comes with latest beyond-visual-range (BVR) Air-to-Air missile technology
- METEOR advanced long-range missile, which will provide NO Escape Zone unlike any Air-to-Air weapon
Few of the upgraded weapon systems, which are planned for the Eurofighter Typhoon’s future models, are as follows.
- Storm Shadow
- Taurus
- Small Diameter Bombs
- Brimstone
- Anti-Shipping Missiles
The weapon firing capability of the jet is made accurate with the Laser Designator Pod (LDP). This allows the pilot to have the precise location of the targets and also guidance for Air-to-Surface weapons.
Ejection Seat:-
Eurofighter Typhoon has the Mk 16A Ejection Sat which is 30% lighter than any other ejection seat. This lightweight is achieved by the designers by combining the twin ejection gun outer cylinder tubes to acts as not only the propulsion system but also as the seat primary structure. The pilot can eject from the aircraft at the speed of 600 knots.
An onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) and communication systems are integrated into the seat. Harness design is simple to allow unassisted strap-ins.
Life Support Systems
Much care has been spent on the Life Support System & Aircrew Equipment Assembly (AEA) for this aircraft, as it is equipped with the followings.
- full-cover anti-G trousers (FCAGT)
- a chest counter-pressure garment (CCPG)
- a liquid conditioning garment
- A nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection
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