BAE Systems to Provide Continued Avionics Support for Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft

BAE Systems has announced its commitment to servicing and supporting the avionics of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the air forces of the platform’s founding nations – Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy – over the next five years.

The recently inked agreements, valued at £80 million, ensure the uninterrupted provision of service and repairs for crucial avionics equipment such as displays, flight controls, and Helmet Mounted Displays.

This ongoing support guarantees the Typhoon’s operational readiness for deployment at any given moment.

The avionics service and support segment stand as a focal point for BAE Systems’ facility in Rochester, UK. The collaborative team stationed at RAF Coningsby is integrated into the Typhoon Total Availability Enterprise contract, working closely to troubleshoot issues and conduct necessary repairs. Their commitment to guaranteed turnaround times aids customers in efficiently planning aircraft operations.

Jim Whittington, Senior Project Manager at BAE Systems’ Rochester facility, remarked, “BAE Systems’ avionics service and support team ensures the Typhoon’s constant preparedness to safeguard our skies and assist the UK’s international allies, day and night, throughout the year.

The flexibility within these services will enhance our customers’ flying capabilities, allowing us to meet any additional service demands.”

The Eurofighter Typhoon stands as a versatile European multinational aircraft featuring a twin-engine, canard delta wing design.

Originally conceived as an air superiority fighter, it is manufactured by a consortium consisting of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo.

This consortium primarily operates through a joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. Oversight of the project, as well as being the primary customer, is handled by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, representing the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

As Europe’s largest defense program, the Eurofighter initiative not only embodies technological prowess but also secures over 100,000 jobs within Europe. To date, nine nations have procured a total of 681 Eurofighter aircraft.

The Eurofighter Typhoon boasts exceptional agility, positioning it as a formidable dogfighter in combat scenarios.

Subsequent production models have been increasingly equipped to undertake air-to-surface strike missions and support a growing array of weaponry and equipment. Navigation capabilities include both GPS and an inertial navigation system.

For adverse weather conditions, the Typhoon can employ the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for landing. Additionally, the aircraft features an advanced Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) based on the TERPROM Terrain Referenced Navigation (TRN) system used by the Panavia Tornado.

The inclusion of MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) facilitates Link 16 data sharing.

The aircraft’s defensive capabilities are bolstered by the sophisticated Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub-System, which autonomously assesses and responds to air and surface threats in a prioritized manner, simultaneously countering multiple threats.