Article: Eurofighter Typhoon METEOR integration trials Commence

Eurofighter Typhoon METEOR integration trials Commence
PR Newswire European, October 1, 2003

Eurofighter GmbH announced the start of integration of the METEOR Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile to the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System, following recent ‘fit and form’ trials at BAE SYSTEMS Warton facility. The trials were conducted with a representative METEOR missile and Eurofighter Typhoon IPA1.

The ground tests were conducted by a joint BAE SYSTEMS and MBDA team in a first phase of ‘fit and form’ compatibility checks with the underfuselage MEL stations plus MFRL. The trials proved successful with no clearance or access problems.

METEOR trials will include flight trials in support of the Meteor Development programme which will be conducted in 2005.

METEOR is planned for introduction to service with Eurofighter Typhoon fleets for Enhanced Operational Clearance. In operational service Eurofighter will be able to carry up to six METEOR missiles designed to optimise Beyond Visual Range engagement performance with a new generation missile. Clearance for full METEOR capability is included with Tranche 2 enhancements currently under negotiation for signature at the end of 2003.

Commenting on the trials, Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer, Eurofighter GmbH stated ‘The combination of the METEOR missile with Eurofighter Typhoon will represent a quantum leap in the BVR combat capability of the Weapon System. This important milestone is also a sign of the close co-operation between the Europe’s leading fighter aircraft and missile industries. Eurofighter Typhoon is specifically designed to take maximum advantage of a range of modern weapons offering complete flexibility and choice to the partner air forces and to a wide range of export customer’

METEOR is a next-generation, Active Radar Beyond-Visual-Range [BVR] air-to-air weapon system that provides superior operational capability in all future combat scenarios. The system is being developed under the prime contractorship of MBDA. The METEOR team, which won the BVRAAM competition in May 2000, includes Europe’s leading guided weapons companies: MBDA, EADS CASA, INMIZE and Saab Dynamics.

Images

High Resolution images of the first delivery of Eurofighter Typhoon fitted with METEOR can be downloaded from our web site. Hard Copy images are available on request.

http://www.eurofighter.com/photolibrary

Notes to Editors:

The Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft, developed by the leading aerospace companies, Alenia Aeronautica, BAE SYSTEMS and EADS, of the four partner countries, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Eurofighter Typhoon features unrivalled technology, designed for the defence needs of the 21st Century.

Agile and highly manoeuvrable, the twin-engine Eurofighter Typhoon is designed to operate from hastily prepared bases and small runways for worldwide operations. It is equipped with an advanced multi-mode radar and an extensive range of sensors and electronic countermeasures.

The aircraft’s ability to gain air superiority beyond visual range [BVR] and in close combat, and at the same time deliver high sortie rates against air, naval and ground targets in all weathers with a variety of weapons, demands close attention to pilot workload.

A strong emphasis has been placed on reducing cost of ownership in addition to outstanding performance and flight safety. Eurofighter Typhoon is less expensive to run than the generation of aircraft it is designed to replace.

The Eurofighter partner nations plan to take delivery of 620 aircraft: 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, 87 for Spain and 232 for the United Kingdom. An additional export order of 18 Eurofighter Typhoon has been agreed with the Government of Austria.

The first four Series Production Aircraft recently joined the flight clearance programme following maiden flights in February 2003. This follows first flights of three Instrumented Production Aircraft [IPA] in April 2002.
Following Type Acceptance on June 30 2003, deliveries to the four partner nations will commence.

The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence has agreed an industrial participation programme with Eurofighter GmbH for the future enhancement of the weapon system. Eurofighter Typhoon has also been selected by Greece to meet their requirement for a future fighter.Eurofighter GmbH