Final Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoon delivered to the core programme

Hallbergmoos, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - With the handover of GT015, a German Twin-Seater aircraft, the final aircraft out of Tranche 1 destined for the four partner Air Forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom in the core programme has been delivered on 20 March 2008.

Aloysius Rauen, Chief Executive Officer Eurofighter GmbH, comments: "This delivery represents a major milestone in the core programme. With 144 series production delivered (including five to Austria), the Air Forces are rapidly accumulating flying hours and gathering experience with the system. The nations already operate Eurofighter Typhoon in the air defence role. The Royal Air Force is preparing for the first multi-role task of Eurofighter Typhoon, deploying the system over long distances and training the air and ground crews for combat. And Austria, the first export customer, is planning to start operational air surveillance tasks with the upcoming European Soccer Championship. This is outstanding proof for the maturity of the system."

First deliveries to the four Air Forces had begun in Summer 2003. Eurofighter Typhoon officially entered into service with the Air Forces in Spring 2004. Italy was the first nation to operate Eurofighter Typhoon in the air defence role, beginning in 2005. Today, ten units at six air bases fly the aircraft, and the fleet has surpassed the 34,000 flying hour mark in March 2008.

Aloysius Rauen continues: "2008 is set to be a landmark year for the Eurofighter programme. 38 aircraft of Tranche 2 are in final assembly with deliveries to start early summer. Later this year, the work based on the Main Development Contract will be concluded, and the contract signature for Tranche 3 is envisaged between the nations and industry."

In the Test & Evaluation Programme, an AMRAAM firing from Instrumented Production Aircraft Two (IPA2) on 27 February represents the conclusion of weapon testing for the Main Development Contract. The successful test flight, conducted by Alenia Aeronautica at Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia, means that all required weapons for operation with Tranche 1 are now cleared, including AIM-9L, ASRAAM, AMRAAM and Iris-T for air-to-air combat, and Paveway II, Enhanced Paveway II, GBU-10 and GBU-16 for air-to-ground tasks.

Meanwhile, the EADS Military Air Systems-operated IPA3 has, on 28 February in Manching, completed the flight testing of the Tranche 1 Flight Control System software. Furthermore, ISPA1 (BT005 of the Royal Air Force) has, on 3 March at BAE Systems' Warton site, concluded the integration work on the Laser Designator Pod for the so-called "Austere capability" for Royal Air Force Tranche 1 aircraft.

Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new generation swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe's largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe's aerospace industry in the global competition. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of its shareholders Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe's foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of EUR60.7 billion (2006).

Contact:
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler
Vice President Communication
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-555(Office)
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile)
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com
Phillip Lee
External Communications
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-587
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com

SOURCE Eurofighter GmbH
/CONTACT: Wolfdietrich Hoeveler,
Vice President Communication, Office,
+49-811-801-555, Mobile, +49-172-832-9751,
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com,
or
Phillip Lee,
External Communications,
+49-811-801-587,
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com,
both of Eurofighter GmbH/

COPYRIGHT © 2008

CORRECTION - Four Eurofighter Typhoon air forces united in exercise

Hallbergmoos, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - In the news release, "Four Eurofighter Typhoon Air Forces United in Exercise" issued on 12 March 2008 22:30 EDT, by Eurofighter GmbH over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that the following figures in the release are incorrect.

In the first sentence of the second paragraph, it should state "20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft..." instead of "18 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft...". In the same paragraph, it should state "remaining nine already stationed..." instead of "remaining six already stationed...".

In the fourth paragraph, it should state "up to twelve aircraft..." instead of "up to eight aircraft..." as originally issued inadvertently. Complete, corrected release follows:

Four Eurofighter Typhoon Air Forces United in Exercise

Hallbergmoos, Germany, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - For the first time, all four Eurofighter Typhoon core Air Forces from Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom combined their skills for a mutual exercise at Moron Air Force Base, near Sevilla, upon invitation of the Spanish Air Force. Codenamed "Typhoon Meet", the deployment commenced on Monday 10 March and officially ends on Friday 14 March.

In total, 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft will take part in the exercise: the German Air Force deployed three aircraft from Fighter Wing 73 "Steinhoff" from Rostock-Laage; Italy's Gruppo XII 36 Stormo, based at Gioia del Colle, and Gruppo IX 4 Stormo, at Grosseto, both sent two aircraft; a total of four weapon systems came out of the Royal Air Force's No.3 and XI Squadrons from RAF Coningsby; with the remaining nine already stationed at Moron as part of the Spanish Air Force's Gruppo 11 Ala 11.

The objective is to demonstrate the interoperability of Eurofighter Typhoon and its air-to-air capabilities while training with, and in mock combat against, other fighter aircraft types. While tactical aspects in realistic scenarios are to be evaluated, of equal importance is the inter-squadron comparisons with regards to maintenance and logistical support.

Eurofighter Typhoon flies in formations of up to twelve aircraft against fighters brought in from across the Spanish Air Force, including a combined ten F-18s from Ala 12, Torrejon, and Ala 15, Zaragoza,(supplying six and four respectively), as well as four Mirage F-1 jets of Ala 14, Albacete.

In addition, the Spanish hosts had invited the Portuguese Air Force to take part in the exercise, who brought with them four F-16 assets of 310 Escuadron, Monte Real. The Spanish Navy also played their part with four Harrier AV-8Plus of 9 Escuadrilla, Rota. The Eurofighter sortie rate for the "Typhoon Meet" was three per day, with a total of up to 70 different aircraft flying in the training areas over Toledo, Albacete and Huelva (Atlantic Coast) daily, which delivered an impressive operational scenario for the military experts.

Eurofighter Typhoon has been in service since 2004. More than 140 aircraft have been delivered to five air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Austria. The partner Air Forces have accumulated 33,000 flying hours to date. More than half of these during 2007, demonstrating the maturity of the system.

Italy started early Quick Reaction Alert duties at the end of 2005, the Royal Air Force followed mid 2007 with full QRA duties assigned to NATO. Germany's Fighter Wing 74 in Neuburg Donau started QRA flights together with F-4 Phantom II early January 2008. Spain took up air surveillance tasks in 2006 and is to follow with QRA duties this year. Austria will start air surveillance tasks with Eurofighter Typhoon this summer.

Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new generation swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe's largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe's aerospace industry in the global competition. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of its shareholders Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe's foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of EUR60.7 billion (2006).

For more information contact
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler
Vice President Communication
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-555 (Office)
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile)
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com
Phillip Lee
External Communications
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-587
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com

SOURCE Eurofighter GmbH
CONTACT: Wolfdietrich Hoeveler,
Vice President Communication,
+49-811-801-555, +49-172-832-9751(Mobile),
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com, or
Phillip Lee,
External Communications,
+49-811-801-587,
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com,
both of Eurofighter GmbH

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Four Eurofighter Typhoon Air Forces United in exercise

allbergmoos (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - For the first time, all four Eurofighter Typhoon core Air Forces from Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom combined their skills for a mutual exercise at Moron Air Force Base, near Sevilla, upon invitation of the Spanish Air Force.
Codenamed "Typhoon Meet", the deployment commenced on Monday 10 March and officially ends on Friday 14 March.

In total, 18 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft will take part in the exercise: the German Air Force deployed three aircraft from Fighter Wing 73 "Steinhoff" from Rostock-Laage; Italy's Gruppo XII 36 Stormo, based at Gioia del Colle, and Gruppo IX 4 Stormo, at Grosseto, both sent two aircraft; a total of four weapon systems came out of the Royal Air Force's No.3 and XI Squadrons from RAF Coningsby; with the remaining six already stationed at Moron as part of the Spanish Air Force's Gruppo 11 Ala 11.

The objective is to demonstrate the interoperability of Eurofighter Typhoon and its air-to-air capabilities while training with, and in mock combat against, other fighter aircraft types. While tactical aspects in realistic scenarios are to be evaluated, of equal importance is the inter-squadron comparisons with regards to maintenance and logistical support.

Eurofighter Typhoon flies in formations of up to eight aircraft against fighters brought in from across the Spanish Air Force, including a combined ten F-18s from Ala 12, Torrejon, and Ala 15, Zaragoza,(supplying six and four respectively), as well as four Mirage F-1 jets of Ala 14, Albacete.

In addition, the Spanish hosts had invited the Portuguese Air Force to take part in the exercise, who brought with them four F-16 assets of 310 Escuadron, Monte Real. The Spanish Navy also played their part with four Harrier AV-8Plus of 9 Escuadrilla, Rota. The Eurofighter sortie rate for the "Typhoon Meet" was three per day, with a total of up to 70 different aircraft flying in the training areas over Toledo, Albacete and Huelva (Atlantic Coast) daily, which delivered an impressive operational scenario for the military experts.

Eurofighter Typhoon has been in service since 2004. More than 140 aircraft have been delivered to five air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Austria. The partner Air Forces have accumulated 33,000 flying hours to date. More than half of these during 2007, demonstrating the maturity of the system.

Italy started early Quick Reaction Alert duties at the end of 2005, the Royal Air Force followed mid 2007 with full QRA duties assigned to NATO. Germany's Fighter Wing 74 in Neuburg Donau started QRA flights together with F-4 Phantom II early January 2008. Spain took up air surveillance tasks in 2006 and is to follow with QRA duties this year. Austria will start air surveillance tasks with Eurofighter Typhoon this summer.

Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new generation swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe's largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe's aerospace industry in the global competition. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of its shareholders Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe's foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of EUR60.7 billion (2006).

For more information contact:
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler
Vice President Communication
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-555 (Office)
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile)
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com
Phillip Lee
External Communications
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-587
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com

SOURCE: Eurofighter GmbH
CONTACT: Wolfdietrich Hoeveler,
Vice President Communication,
+49-811-801-555,
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile),
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com, or
Phillip Lee,
External Communications,
+49-811-801-587,
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com,
both of Eurofighter GmbH

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Eurofighter Typhoon logs over 35,000 flying hours

Hallbergmoos, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - The combined fleet of 135 in-service Eurofighter Typhoons and seven Flight Test aircraft has accumulated over 35,000 flying hours by the end of December 2007.

Since introduction into service in Spring 2004, the five customer Air Forces, including, since Summer 2007, Austria have achieved 30,650 flying hours. An amazing 50% of this amount was flown in 2007, demonstrating the tremendous growth of the in-service fleet.

The build up of flying hours in the Nations' Air Forces reflects the success of integrating the weapon system into their Armed Forces and, increasingly, highlights the importance of Eurofighter Typhoon for NATO air defence responsibilities. Following Italy and the United Kingdom, Germany has, from the beginning of 2008, commenced Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations with Eurofighter Typhoon at Neuburg. Spain is to follow soon.

With the six Development Aircraft retired following conclusion of their scheduled tasks, the test fleet of seven Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) and one Instrumented Series Production Aircraft (ISPA, BT005 of the Royal Air Force) are now the main assets to take the weapon system's capabilities to new frontiers. The latest addition, IPA7, is the first Tranche 2 Eurofighter Typhoon and will be flown alongside IPA6 in the test programme to achieve the clearances for Tranche 2 Type Acceptance and Further Enhancements. This means even more capabilities for Eurofighter Typhoon with more benefit to the customer. The test fleet has accumulated over 5,600 flying hours since Development began.

Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new generation swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe's largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe's aerospace industry in the global competition. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of its shareholders Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe's foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of EUR60.7 billion (2006).

Images

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

http://www.eurofighter.com/medialibrary

For More Information contact:
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler,
Vice President Communications,
Eurofighter GmbH,
+49-811-801-555 (Office),
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile),
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com
Phillip Lee
External Communications
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-587
phillip.lee@eurofighter.com
SOURCE Eurofighter GmbH

CONTACT: Wolfdietrich Hoeveler, Vice President Communications, office, +49-811-801-555, mobile, +49-172-832-9751, wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com;
Phillip Lee, External Communications, office, +49-811-801-587, phillip.lee@eurofighter.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS