Eurofighter Typhoon Pride of the NATO alliance

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• published: 30 Jul 2013
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The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter.[6][7] The Typhoon was designed and is manufactured by a consortium of three companies; EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems, who conduct the majority of affairs dealing with the project through a joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, which was formed in 1986. The project is managed by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, which also acts as the prime customer.[8] Development of the aircraft effectively began in 1983 with the Future European Fighter Aircraft programme, a multinational collaborative effort between Germany, France, UK, Italy and Spain. Due to disagreements over design authority and operational requirements, France left the consortium to independently develop the Dassault Rafale instead. A technology demonstration aircraft, the British Aerospace EAP, first took flight on 6 August 1986; the first prototype of the finalised Eurofighter made its first flight on 27 March 1994. The name of the aircraft, Typhoon, was formally adopted in September 1998; the first production contracts were signed that same year. Political issues in the partner nations significantly protracted the Typhoon's development; the sudden end of the Cold War reduced European demand for fighter aircraft, and there was debate over the cost and work share of the Eurofighter. The Typhoon was introduced into operational service in 2003. Currently, the type has entered service with the Austrian Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the German Air Force, the Royal Air Force, the Spanish Air Force, and the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Royal Air Force of Oman has also been confirmed as an export customer, bringing the procurement total to 571 aircraft as of 2013. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH (English: Eurofighter Fighter aircraft GmbH) is a multinational company that co-ordinates the design, production and upgrade of the Eurofighter Typhoon, this includes incorporating the jet engines designed and manufactured by EuroJet Turbo GmbH. Founded in 1986,[citation needed] it has its head office in Hallbergmoos, Bavaria, Germany.[1] The company is owned by the major aerospace companies of the four Eurofighter partner nations: 46%: EADS 33% EADS Deutschland GmbH (Germany) 13% EADS CASA (Spain) 33%: BAE Systems (United Kingdom) 21%: Alenia Aermacchi (Italy) Austria Austrian Air Force -- 15 delivered[224] Überwachungsgeschwader[225] Germany German Air Force -- 143 ordered, of which 100 have been delivered as of February 2013.[226] Jagdgeschwader 71 Richthofen Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff[225] Jagdgeschwader 74[225] Jagdbombergeschwader 31 Boelcke[225] Italy Italian Air Force -- 96 ordered, of which 62 have been delivered as of May 2012,[227] 4º Stormo, Grosseto 9º Gruppo Caccia[225] 20º Gruppo Caccia OCU Tactical pilot training and evaluation[225] 36º Stormo, Gioia del Colle 10º Gruppo Caccia[225] 12º Gruppo Caccia[225] 37º Stormo, Trapani 18º Gruppo Caccia[225] Saudi Arabia Royal Saudi Air Force -- 72 ordered, of which 24 have been delivered as of April 2013.[228] Spain Spanish Air Force -- 73 ordered, of which 45 have been delivered.[229] Ala 11, Seville-Morón Air Base 111 Operational Squadron[230] 113 Squadron, OCU Tactical pilot training and evaluation[230] Ala 14, Albacete-Los Llanos Air Base 142 Operational Squadron[230] United Kingdom Royal Air Force -- 160 ordered,[citation needed] of which 100 have been delivered as of January 2013[231][232] RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England. No. 3 Squadron RAF[225] No. 11 Squadron RAF[225] No. 29 Squadron RAF OCU Tactical pilot training and evaluation[225] No. 41 Squadron RAF Test & Evaluation Squadron[233] RAF Leuchars, Fife, Scotland. No. 1 Squadron RAF[225] No. 6 Squadron RAF[225] RAF Mount Pleasant, East Falkland, Falkland Islands No. 1435 Flight RAF (Falkland Islands)[225] Past Units. No. 17 Squadron RAF OCU Tactical pilot training and evaluation[234] Oman Royal Air Force of Oman -- 12 ordered.[235]