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2018-06-03

Eurofighter Brings True Swing-Role Capability to the Gulf

The Eurofighter Typhoon is known for delivering an enviable level of flexibility and efficiency. It possesses both adequate weapon availability (up to six bombs whilst also carrying six missiles, a cannon and a targeting pod) and sufficient processing power to simultaneously support missile in-flight updates and bomb in-flight targeting.

The Eurofighter has been designed to be upgraded and extended, in order to provide decades of effective use. Combining a proven, agile airframe built from stealth materials with the latest sensor, control and weapons systems, delivers optimum combat capability.

The addition of the deep strike cruise missile Storm Shadow, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile Meteor, and the precision attack missile Brimstone, will significantly increase the operational performance of the Eurofighter Typhoon as it goes forwards. The weapons systems, navigation technologies and control infrastructure are all designed to be upgraded, to continue to enhance the overall performance of the aircraft.

Kuwait’s 28 Eurofighter Typhoons will be the most advanced of the type produced so far. The multi-role fighter aircraft will have a package of capabilities on top of the previous Typhoon’s enhancement programmes, such as the Captor-E (E-scan) radar and several novelties in the weapon system that will bring the Kuwait Air Force to the front-line of fighter technology. Delivery of the aircraft will start in 2020 and will be completed in 2023 making Kuwait the aircraft’s eighth customer.

Leonardo’s role in developing Eurofighter

On April 5, 2016, a contract between the Ministry of Defence of the State of Kuwait and Leonardo (acting as prime contractor organisation) was signed. It was a true success of the Italian Country System, where politics, diplomacy, the Armed Forces and industry worked together, with considerable benefits in terms of know-how and qualified employment.

The work sharing of the complex European partnership programme sees Leonardo in charge of producing all the left wings, complete with installed systems; all the rear sections of the fuselage, designed together with BAE Systems; some mobile surfaces and underwing pylons for loads; wing-fuselage joints and titanium engine fairing. Leonardo also designed and integrated important on-board systems (store management, navigation, flight controls, cockpit displays) and worked on the integration with the aircraft of the whole weapon and propulsion system.

Leonardo’s Airborne & Space Systems Division, with the support of the various production sites in Italy and the UK, contribute significantly to the development and production of the aircraft’s avionics and main sensors. In particular, the Captor-E radar, produced by the Euroradar consortium, the passive infrared PIRATE system, produced by the EuroFirst consortium (both consortium led by Leonardo) and the DASS auto-protection system (Defensive Aids Sub-System), and communication and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems. Finally, at the Venegono Superiore plant in the Varese province, Leonardo designs and produces Ground Support Equipment (or AGE), such as air start and auxiliary power units.

Production for Kuwait

Since the second half of 2016, Kuwait’s production activities started with details manufacturing, in line with the baseline plan and in some cases even ahead of schedule. The capability packages granted to Kuwait will include the integration of Storm Shadow and Brimstone and other air-to-surface weapons that enrich the multirole characteristics of the aircraft and enhance the weapon system. The first rear fuselage section started the “Stage 2” assembly phase at Leonardo in early 2018, while the “Stage 1” assembly phase is already running in BAE Systems for the first five aircraft. The centre fuselage section, will be produced by Airbus Defence & Space in Germany, and have already commenced the “pre-assy” phase according to the plan.

This configuration foresees the integration of a new advanced laser designator pod (the Lockheed Martin Sniper) that will expand Eurofighter’s portfolio of cleared laser designator pods, the introduction of the DRS-Cubic ACMI P5 combat training pod, an enhanced navigation aid (VOR) and the E-Scan radar CAPTOR with its antenna repositioner.

The Captor-E radar provides significantly more power than most competing systems. Combined with the fighter’s large nose aperture and the unique ability to move the radar antenna, the Typhoon has a field of view of 200 degrees and the flight tests are confirming the discriminating advantages this will bring. This new radar underpins the Typhoon’s current and future capability evolution.

This success in Kuwait is a further confirmation of the growing role that the multi-role aircraft produced by the Eurofighter Consortium plays in the Gulf Region. The latest contract signed is that inked by a Middle East country for 24 Typhoons that sees Eurofighter partner BAE Systems acting as prime contractor. Furthermore the deliveries of all 72 units ordered by Saudi Arabia have been completed, and Oman has already received half of the 12 planned aircraft.

The year 2017 has been the busiest ever for Typhoon forces, clocking up the most combat hours of any new generation swing role aircraft, with air forces taking part in operations and exercises across the globe.

Reference Text/Photo:

www.leonardocompany.com

www.baesystems.com

www.eurofighter.com

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