The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter. The Typhoon was designed originally as an air superiority fighter and is manufactured by a consortium of Alenia Aermacchi (Leonardo since 2017), Airbus, and BAE Systems that conducts the majority of the project through a joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH formed in 1986. NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency manages the project and is the prime customer
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a highly agile, twin-engine, multi-role fighter developed by a consortium of European nations: the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Originally conceived as a dedicated air-superiority interceptor to counter Soviet threats, it has evolved into a “swing-role” powerhouse capable of switching between air-to-air and air-to-surface missions in a single sortie. Its distinctive canard-delta wing configuration makes it one of the most maneuverable aircraft in the world, particularly at supersonic speeds.
Attribute
Technical Specification (Tranche 3/4)
Role
Multi-role / Swing-role Fighter
Crew
1 (Single seat) or 2 (Trainer/Specialized)
First Flight
March 27, 1994
Powerplant
2 × Eurojet EJ200 turbofans
Thrust
20,000 lbf (90 kN) each with afterburner
Maximum Speed
Mach 2.0+ (Supercruise: Mach 1.5)
Service Ceiling
65,000 feet (19,812 m)
Armament
1 × 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon; 13 hardpoints for missiles/bombs
Aerodynamic Agility & Sensor Fusion
Canard-Delta Design: The Typhoon is intentionally “aerodynamically unstable” at subsonic speeds. It uses a quadruple-redundant digital Fly-By-Wire system to keep it level, allowing for instantaneous and violent maneuvers that would be impossible for a stable aircraft.
Supercruise: Unlike many jets that require fuel-heavy afterburners to stay supersonic, the Typhoon can maintain Mach 1.5 without them. This allows it to reach intercepts faster and stay on station longer than its rivals.
The CAPTOR-E Radar: Modern Typhoons are equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, allowing the pilot to track dozens of targets simultaneously at vast ranges while being highly resistant to jamming.
PIRATE IRST: The “ball” on the left side of the cockpit is the Passive Infra-Red Airborne Track Equipment. It allows the Typhoon to “see” the heat of enemy stealth aircraft without turning on its radar, remaining invisible while hunting.
Combat Capability & Weapons
Meteor Missile: The Typhoon is the primary platform for the MBDA Meteor, widely considered the world’s most capable beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile due to its ramjet engine.
Precision Strike: For ground missions, it carries the Storm Shadow cruise missile, Brimstone anti-armor missiles, and Paveway-series laser-guided bombs.
HMSS (Helmet Mounted Symbology System): The pilot’s helmet displays flight data and target info directly on the visor. The pilot can lock onto an enemy plane simply by looking at it, even if it is far to the side of the aircraft’s nose.
Global Presence: Beyond the founding nations, the Typhoon has been exported to Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, serving as a pillar of air defense across the Middle East and Europe.
