RAF Typhoon F2
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| RAF Eurofighter Typhoon | ||
|---|---|---|
Missing image RAF_Typhoon_T1.JPG RAF Typhoon T1 | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Multi-role fighter | |
| Crew | 1 or 2 | |
| First flight | March 27 1994 (development aircraft) | |
| Entered Service | February 14 2003 | |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 15.96 m | 52 ft 5 in |
| Wingspan | 10.95 m | 35 ft 11 in |
| Height | 5.28 m | 17 ft 4 in |
| Wing Area | 50 m² | 540 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 9,750 kg | 21,500 lb |
| Loaded | 15,550 kg | 34,280 lb |
| Maximum takeoff | 21,000 kg | 46,300 lb |
| Capacity | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 x Eurojet EJ200 turbofans | |
| Dry thrust | 60 kN | 13,490 lbf |
| Afterburner thrust | 90 kN | 20,220 lbf |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 2,390 km/h | 1,480 mph |
| Combat range | 1,390 km | 860 miles |
| Ferry range | 3,700 km | 2,300 miles |
| Service ceiling | > 18,000 m | > 60,000 ft |
| Rate of climb | 15,240 m/min | 50,000 ft/min |
| Wing loading | 311 kg/m² | 63.7 lb/ft² |
| Thrust/Weight | 1.85 N/kg (empty) | |
| Power/Mass | kW/kg | hp/lb |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | CAPTOR radar | |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 1 x 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon | |
| Bombs | Paveway 2, Paveway 3, Enhanced Paveway, JDAM | |
| Missiles | AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-88 HARM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-120 AMRAAM, MBDA Meteor, ALARMs, Storm Shadow, Brimstone, | |
| Rockets | ||
| Other | Laser designator, e.g. TIALD pod | |
For history and background of the Eurofighter programme please see Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Typhoon F2 and Typhoon T1 are the initial variants of the Eurofighter Typhoon entering service with the Royal Air Force. The T1 and F2 are aircraft from "Tranche 1" of the Eurofighter programme. In this tranche of 148 aircraft the RAF will receive 55 of its 232 aircraft.
| Contents |
Background
The Typhoon will replace the RAF's Tornado F3 and SEPECAT Jaguar forces. If the total purchase reaches the planned 232 aircraft the Typhoon will equip seven front-line squadrons, the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) and Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU). These units will operate 137 Typhoons with the remaining 95 kept in reserve as attrition replacements and to share flight hours across the fleet.
The UK's Typhoon's are assembled at BAE Warton using parts from UK sub-contractors, sections from partner nations (e.g. Italian left wing, German main fuselage or Spanish right wing) and major parts from BAE Samlesbury which manufactures parts for all Eurofighters for which the UK is responsible:
- Front fuselage (including canards)
- Canopy
- Dorsal spine
- Tail fin
- Inboard flaperons
- Rear fuselage section
Variants
- T1 - Batch 1 twin seat trainer
- T1A - Batch 2 twin seat trainer
- F2 - Single seat operational fighter
Entry into service
Early RAF Typhoon's are based at BAE Systems' Warton airfield, where the aircraft are assembled. This arrangement, dubbed "Case White" is intended to provide a smooth entry into service - with the close proximity of BAE staff allowing easy solutions to any technical issues which arise. This is important given the unparalled capabilites and complexity of the aircraft compared to any of the service's current types. The RAF is expected to retain a presence at the site until 2005 when the first squadrons, No. 17 OEU and No. 29 OCU Sqns, will move to RAF Coningsby to begin establishing an inital operational capability (IOC).
Squadrons
| Squadron | Current role | Current aircraft | Conversion date | Typhoon base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 Squadron RAF | Offensive Support | Harrier GR7 | 2006 | RAF Coningsby |
| No. 6 Squadron RAF | Offensive Support | SEPECAT Jaguar | 2008 | RAF Leuchars |
| No. 11 Squadron RAF | Air Defence | Tornado F3 | 2007 | RAF Coningsby |
| No. 17 Squadron RAF | Operational Evaluation Unit | Typhoon | Converted | RAF Coningsby |
| No. 29 Squadron RAF | Operational Conversion Unit | Typhoon | Converted | BAE Warton |
Development
The first Typhoon T1 is one of the Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA1) and remains part of the BAE fleet, the aircraft first flew on April 15 2002. The first F2 is IPA5 and also remains with BAE, its first flight was June 6 2002. The official in service date for the first RAF Typhoon T1, serial ZJ803, was June 30 2003. Formal delivery occurred on December 18 at which point 17 Sqn began a full flying programme.
The F2 will not be a fully capable aircraft but rather be delivered at a baseline state. Most of the major systems including the CAPTOR radar and the Defence Aids Sub-System (DASS) will be matured over time. However BAE states that even these early aircraft will be much more capable than the Tornado F3 and that the development of the Typhoon will exceed that of the learning curve of pilots.
On June 27 2004 two RAF T1s left Warton bound for Singapore. This is the longest deployment of the Typhoon and the first outside Europe. While the Eurofighter development fleet was exhaustively tested for operations in extreme climates this will provide operational experience of such deployments. It will also provide operational experience of aerial refuelling. Eurofighter International is competing in Singapore's Next Fighter Replacement project against the Dassault Rafale and Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle.
Future
The UK agreed to approve production of "Tranche 2" in December 2004, this tranche will see the RAF receive a further 89 aircraft, bringing its Typhoon inventory to 144. This followed protracted negotiations regarding the early introduction of ground attack capabilities of the aircraft and hence its swing-role capability. While this was always planned it was intended to come at a much later date.
External links
- Official Eurofighter website (http://www.eurofighter.com)
- RAF factsheet (http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/typhoon.html)
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