Under the terms of the contract, which runs until 2019, Rolls-Royce will provide the RAF with a guaranteed level of availability for its EJ200 engines. Rolls-Royce has been contracted to support the RAF’s EJ200 engine fleet since November 2001.
Typhoon team leader Air Vice Marshal Chris Bushell said: ‘Typhoon has now been operational in the air defence role for well over two years and a multi-role capability was integrated and declared combat-ready by the RAF in July 2008.
‘The signature of the Partnered Support Operational Phase 3 contract builds on this success and will underpin Typhoon’s growing capability and utilisation.’
Rolls-Royce is involved in all aspects of EJ200 engine support, including the provision of replacement engines and technical support on base and from the Rolls-Royce Operations Centre in Bristol.
According to the RAF, the Typhoon’s airframe is constructed largely of carbon-fibre composites and light alloys, while the aircraft is equipped with the advanced ECR90 radar, which can track multiple targets at distance.
Pilot commands can be carried out by voice command, while aircraft manoeuvre, weapon and defensive aid deployment is done through a combined stick and throttle.
Eurofighter Typhoon specifications:
Engines: two Eurojet EJ200 turbojets
Thrust: 20,000lb (9,000kg) each
Maximum speed: 2 Mach
Length: 15.96m
Maximum altitude: 65,000ft (20,000m)
Span: 11.09m
Aircrew: one
Armament: AMRAAM, ASRAAM, Brimstone, Storm Shadow, Enhanced Paveway and Paveway IV
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