Eurofighter Upgrade

I just wanted to ask some of the aviation experts amongst you is there are any planned upgrades for the Eurofighter that we know of and if so what effect this will have on the current capabilities of the aircraft. Also is it true that a thrust vectoring retro fit will be making its way onto the plane?

Thanks

[edit on 12-10-2007 by Thirst]

Originally posted by Thirst
I just wanted to ask some of the aviation experts amongst you is there are any planned upgrades for the Eurofighter that we know of and if so what effect this will have on the current capabilities of the aircraft. Also is it true that a thrust vectoring retro fit will be making its way onto the plane?

Thanks

[edit on 12-10-2007 by Thirst]

Currently there are three 'tranche' phases planned, with multiple block types in each tranche - tranche 1 is currently being delivered, tranche 2 block 1 (EOC1) has been finalised and the first aircraft is in final assembly at the moment.

Tranche 1 consists of blocks 1, 2, 2B and 5 - block 5 is the standard currently being delivered and consists of the Full Operational Capability standard.

An upgrade program, R2, is currently underway to bring earlier tranche 1 blocks up to block 5 standard.

Tranche 2's main upgrade will consist of a CAPTOR-M mechanical AESA based radar, with provision for a further upgrade to CAESAR radar later in the tranche series. Incremental operational capability updates include IRIS-T and AIM-120C5 off-sight targeting in EOC1, which is planned for 2010, and METEOR missile, StormShadow cruise missile and other weapons integrations for EOC2 which is planned for 2012.

Tranche 3 will incorporate the PIRATE radar system as well as a further number of incremental operational capability updates.

There are currently no plans for a thrust vectoring system to be included in any currently planned tranche, and the general consensus is that the basic Eurofighter design does not require a TVC as it is manoueverable enough as it stands.

reply to post by RichardPrice


Could I ask for some clarification of this line Richard as it appears a little contradictory;

Tranche 3 will incorporate the PIRATE radar system as well as a further number of incremental operational capability updates.

Do you mean full integration of PIRATE with the CAPTOR radar, as PIRATE itself is not a radar system? Also I have already seen an RAF Typhoon with PIRATE fitted, but perhaps it is not yet fully slaved to the radar? I have been looking for the picture I had of it but in typical fashion it is eluding me. This was an RAF plane in squadron markings but I suppose it could just have been on loan for trials.

Also, watch Top Gear on 28th Oct on BBC2 for a race along the runway between a Typhoon and a Bugatti Veyron as the boys play with some fancy toys as usual, I don't think they let Hammond drive the Typhoon.

Originally posted by waynos
reply to post by RichardPrice

 

Could I ask for some clarification of this line Richard as it appears a little contradictory;

Tranche 3 will incorporate the PIRATE radar system as well as a further number of incremental operational capability updates.

Do you mean full integration of PIRATE with the CAPTOR radar, as PIRATE itself is not a radar system?

Actually PIRATE is considered a radar system in its own right, just a passive acting one.

www.air-attack.com...
www.flightglobal.com...

Also I have already seen an RAF Typhoon with PIRATE fitted, but perhaps it is not yet fully slaved to the radar? I have been looking for the picture I had of it but in typical fashion it is eluding me. This was an RAF plane in squadron markings but I suppose it could just have been on loan for trials.

Tranche 1 Block 5 Italian Eurofighters have been delivered with PIRATE, and I was slightly wrong in my previous post as PIRATE has now been moved up to tranche 2 as a basic specification.

Actually PIRATE is considered a radar system in its own right, just a passive acting one.

Point taken and links duly read. I find it a bit strange however as I was always of the view that Radar and infra red are two entirely different things, I am fully aware of how it works in unison with the 'back end' of the CAPTOR however, are they now using 'radar' as a slang term for any kind of precision detection equipment as I am certain that radio waves are not part of this equation?