September 1, 2000. Copyright 2000. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

TYPHOON FOR SALE
By Ken Petrie

LONDON, September 1, Graphic News: IN OCTOBER 1999 the Eurofighter partner companies agreed to the formation of Eurofighter International (EFI). EFI is reponsible for the single contracting entity for all export sales of the Eurofighter, or Typhoon, as export versions of the aircraft will be known.

The headquarters of the company is located in London and campaign offices have been set up in Oslo, Norway; Athens, Greece; Seoul, South Korea and in the Netherlands.

Over the next 30 years EFI foresees an available market for fighter aircraft of about 800 and the aim is to capture about 50 percent of that. This would bring the total production up to over 1,000 aircraft, which will be the largest military aircraft programme in Europe.

The Norwegian Air Force considered that the Typhoon was the right aircraft for their needs and was looking to purchase 20 with an option for a further 10. However, having achieved a winning situation the competition for a new fighter aircraft has been cancelled pending further parliamentary debate.

It is expected that by the end of October 2000 Greece will have signed a contract for 60 aircraft with an option for 30 more. Delivery is expected to start in 2005.

The Republic of Korea is looking for an initial purchase of 40 aircraft with a potential total purchase of about 150. Flight evaluation will start in December of this year and a final decision is not expected before 2002.

The TyphoonÕs competition in the Netherlands comes from the Joint Strike Fighter, Rafale, Grippen, Super Hornet and the block 60+ F-16. A price/performance evaluation is presently in progress and a political decision is expected by the end of this year with final approval to follow in 2001.

The potential for further export orders is good with sales to Australia, the Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia and Singapore in prospect.
-----------------------------

EUROFIGHTER TIMELINE

1982: Aircraft conceived to combat threat embodied in Soviet Su-27 and derivatives. Proposed aircraft to have close and beyond visual range air-to-air combat capability as primary role, with secondary air-to-ground role

December 1983: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK issue outline staff target

July 1984: Initial feasibility study launched

August 1985: France withdraws from project because cardinal specifications of aircraft weight, wing area and engine thrust do not meet French requirements. They pursue their own programme with the Rafale

September 1987: Chiefs of Air Staffs of the remaining four countries sign Staff Requirement for development of the aircraft

January 1988: Start of development phase which proceeds well

March 1990: Elements of GermanyÕs coalition government, concerned about costs, demand that government looks into the cost of withdrawing from the project

1991: Germany looks for various alternatives to make savings such as reduction in number of prototypes, cutting orders from 250 to 175 aircraft and even leasing F-15 fighters from the U.S.

1992: Programme halted by German demands for substantial cost reductions and study of alternative proposals

October 1992: Seven alternative configurations offered Ð permutations of single- or twin-engine aircraft. Only two are cheaper than EFA, both inferior to developments to Su-27

December 1992: Project relaunched as Eurofighter 2000. In-service date is delayed to 2000 and allows Germany to incorporate Òoff-the-shelfÓ avionics; lower standard of defensive aids and other deletions to original design to effect 30% price reduction

March 1994: Development aircraft makes first flight Ð delayed from 1992 due to reassessment of programme and exhaustive cross-testing of flight control systems because of problems integrating fly-by-wire software and hardware. Eurofighter cocerned to avoid repeat of F-22 and Grippen crashes, both caused by flight control computer failure. Seven development aircraft built in total

January 1996: Agreement reached on national procurement and workshare. UK requires 252 aircraft with 37% workshare, Germany 180 aircraft with 30% workshare, Italy 121 aircraft with 19% workshare, and 87 aircraft for Spain with 14% workshare

January 1998: Production and support contracts signed

September 1998: Production contract signed for first 148 aircraft and 363 EJ200 engines. Fixed price contract is worth about DM14 billion and includes long lead items for further 236 aircraft

September 2000: Eurofighter production line opens

2001: Deliveries due to begin. (While the project has at times had a bumpy ride, the aircraft should at last enter service with the air forces of the partner nations)
/ENDS
Source: Ken Petrie