”What Eurofighter Was Built To Do”
Eurofighter CEO, Volker Paltzo, confirmed at Farnborough on 17 July that an enhanced Eurofighter TYPHOON would form a core part of any European future combat air system (FCAS), working hand in hand with any future European fighter programme – manned or unmanned.
“Eurofighter TYPHOON is the benchmark for European collaboration – now and in the future. Eurofighter will be a central pillar of any European FCAS, and has a key role to play in this future system, operating alongside any existing or new European assets that may come into play in the future battlespace – across all mission scenarios,” he commented, adding “I firmly believe that Eurofighter TYPHOON is the best platform to carry, demonstrate and certify a whole host of technologies and deliver them as a mature capability for Europe.”
He also agreed that a need for greater connectivity, sensor and data fusion in the future battlespace would see a refresh of technology in the cockpit, including a high resolution large area display, and up to 15% more power to the aircraft’s EJ-200 engines, as part of the aircraft’s long-term evolution plans. “We are in ongoing dialogue with our partners regarding these emerging requirements,” he confirmed.
Speaking subsequent to the revelation of the BAE Systems TEMPEST future fighter concept the previous day, Mr. Paltzo also confirmed the ongoing importance of Eurofighter to European defence, stating “Eurofighter is the biggest and most successful defence collaboration project ever undertaken in Europe. It is the backbone of NATO’s European air defence and will continue to be developed to defend against all future threats for decades to come. It is what Eurofighter was built to do.”
With a total of 623 aircraft ordered, the Eurofighter TYPHOON is the largest military procurement programme in Europe. Its associated engine programme, the EJ-200, managed by Eurojet TURBO, “already has the best engine in its class in the world today. But we can make it even better, delivering a 15% increase in thrust, to ensure that Eurofighter TYPHOON can maintain its combat edge in the future,” stated Eurojet CEO, Clemens Linden.
