BAE Samlesbury Eurofighter Typhoon jet maker reaches a milestone (From Lancashire Telegraph)

BAE Samlesbury Eurofighter Typhoon jet maker reaches a milestone

3:00pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News By Jonathon Dillon, Assistant news editor

AN East Lancashire aerospace giant has achieved a milestone in the production of the latest version of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Workers at BAE Systems in Samlesbury have just rolled the first Typhoon Tranche 3 front fuselage unit off the production line.

Under the Tranche 3A contract signed in 2009, a total of 112 aircraft have been ordered for the four European partner nations, with 40 aircraft bound for the RAF.

Deliveries of Tranche 3 aircraft are expected to start in 2013.

Building on the success of the Typhoons during the Libyan crisis, Tranche 3 aircraft will be even more capable.

The Tranche 3 front fuselage, part of the British single-seat aircraft number 116, includes more than 350 modified parts designed, engineered and assembled ready to incorporate the most advanced capability enhancements.

It includes enhanced radar, more powerful and faster computer systems and greater range with a new fuel dump system.

Mark Bowman, BAE Systems’ chief test pilot, said: “This represents the next significant milestone in the evolution of this remarkable combat aircraft.

“The new provisions including, for example, conformal tanks and an ESCAN radar capability not only pave the way for more war-winning advantages such as range, detection and persistence, but ensure that the aircraft remains at the forefront of combat aviation for decades to come.

“I look forward enormously to putting this exciting piece of cutting-edge technology through its paces when it takes to the skies in the near future.”

More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the Eurofighter programme.

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