Image source: topwar.ru
The European aircraft building consortium Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH and the Program Management Agency for two European multinational fighters Eurofighter Typhoon and Panavia Tornado NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) have signed a contract to continue the development, testing and certification of a set of aerodynamic modifications (AMK package) for the fourth-generation multirole fighter Typhoon (Eurofighter Typhoon). This is reported by the online edition of Defense Industry Europe.
The modernization of the flagship European twin-engine fighter is designed to accelerate the integration of new weapons and the certification of additional external loads, including future anti-radar missiles designed to suppress and destroy enemy air defense systems. The contract provides for the integration of advanced air-to-ground weapons and air-to-air missiles onto Typhoon aircraft already in service with the Air Forces of several countries. Improvements will also be incorporated into newly produced fighters.
The publication notes that the order placed in this way on behalf of Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain brings the AMK (Aerodynamic Modification Kit) closer to real operation after several years of development. The package includes improvements to the fuselage ridges, flaperons and the wing root. It is reported that all these solutions have already been flight tested.
After the modernization of the fighters, the new "aerodynamic kit" should increase the effectiveness of air combat through improved target detection and close combat, which is achieved by modifying fuselage fairings, flaperons and the root part of the leading edge, increasing the maximum lifting force of the wing.
According to Jorge Tamarita-Degenhardt, CEO of Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, the AMK package, once implemented, will be a key step to maintain the platform's combat effectiveness in the long term. And this prospect will be truly long-term, as the consortium emphasizes that the Typhoon fighter will remain the "backbone of European air defense" at least until the 2060s.
NETMA CEO Simon Ellard commented on the contract concluded with Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH for the modernization of Typhoon aircraft. According to him, the contract "will continue the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon and reflects the program's commitment to innovation and the creation of capabilities necessary for our air force."
The development and production of the AMK will be handled by Eurofighter's partner companies - Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. It is expected that this work will strengthen the European aerospace potential through further cooperation in the field of advanced combat aircraft systems, adds Defense Industry Europe.
The Typhoon multirole fighter was developed and manufactured by Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, established in 1986 by a consortium of Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and EADS. Research on the promising aircraft began in 1979. Serial production of the fighter is currently underway. The aircraft has been put into service with the Air Forces of Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Austria, Saudi Arabia and several other countries.
In total, the air forces of nine states have about 550 Typhoon fighters of various years of production in service as of November last year, and 830 more are under order. Turkey is showing interest in purchasing twenty Eurofighter Typhoons, considering them as a forced alternative to the American fifth-generation F-35 aircraft. The data is taken from open sources.
The fourth-generation fighter manufacturer openly advertises the Typhoon on its website without undue modesty:
The question is, if the car is already so perfect, then why did it need such a serious upgrade? The question is rhetorical.
