Mass matters to Eurofighter Typhoon

In preparation for Type Acceptance and the start of delivery of the first production aircraft to the Eurofighter Partner Nations, Eurofighter Typhoon has passed a significant milestone by achieving its contracted mass requirement. Achieving aircraft mass requirements is fundamental in the design and production of the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System and any air system.

The first four production standard Eurofighter Typhoon SPA's (two seat variants) have now been weighed in preparation for hand over to the four Air Forces. The results show that all four production aircraft have measured values below the contracted aircraft mass requirements.

The contracted Basic Mass Empty (BME) for the single seat aircraft is 11 tonnes with the two seat aircraft 700 kg heavier. Based on these weighings Eurofighter is confident that all Tranche 1 aircraft will be within the contracted mass requirements.

From the outset the mass of the aircraft was seen as a very critical issue and one that could make the difference between success or failure of the project. For this reason Eurofighter was given overall responsibility to manage the total aircraft mass control. As the weapon system evolved through development and into production we have seen many challenges which have tested the skills of all concerned.

Commenting on events Filippo Bagnato, CEO Eurofighter GmbH, stated 'This is, perhaps, the first time in aviation history that a military aircraft has been developed within such strict mass control limits. The results we are witnessing today are a testament to the engineering discipline applied by all of the Eurofighter Partners.'

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