Includes Nearly 6,000 Hours Logged In Test Fleet

The combined efforts of the five customer Air Forces and the industrial Flight Test program have seen the Eurofighter Typhoon multi-/swing-role combat aircraft surpass the 50,000 flight hours milestone.

By the end of August, the Air Forces of Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Austria had amassed some 44,500 in-service flying hours which, when coupled with the 5,900 logged by the test fleet, easily surpasses the 50,000 mark.

"This latest milestone is a recognition of the dedication of the flight crews and engineers across the Air Forces and the industrial test and evaluation teams," said Aloysius Rauen, Eurofighter CEO. "It is also testament to the reliability and availability of the Eurofighter Typhoon weapon system. These two elements, professionalism and technological achievement, are what define Eurofighter Typhoon as the world-beating aircraft that is in operational service today."

Currently, 10 units across five Air Forces operate the Eurofighter Typhoon. As of this summer, all nations have assigned the aircraft Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) and Air Surveillance responsibilities. The Austrian Armed Forces carried out high profile airspace protection sorties with fully-armed Eurofighter Typhoons over the host stadiums during the Euro2008 football championships.

Detachments to foreign bases and multi-nation Eurofighter Typhoon exercises have become a regular occurrence throughout 2008, highlighted by the first four-nation "Typhoon Meet" at Morón Air Base, Spain, and the aircraft's participation in Exercise Spring Flag in Sardinia. The UK Royal Air Force, through their strong involvement in the US-led Exercise Green Flag West, declared Eurofighter Typhoon as multi-role capable in a ceremony at RAF Coningsby in July, following the highly successful deployment to Nevada, USA, to demonstrate the jet's air-to-ground capability.

To date, 148 aircraft have been delivered to five Air Forces, completing the Tranche 1 order. First deliveries of Tranche 2 aircraft are imminent, while the proposals for the 236 Eurofighter Typhoons that make up Tranche 3 have been submitted to NETMA. The consortium is awaiting the response with all efforts geared towards a contract signature by the end of 2008 or early 2009.

FMI: www.eurofighter.com/