BAE completes first batch of Eurofighters

WARTON, England, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has announced the completion of its first batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

"A first batch -- Tranche 1 -- of 53 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft destined for the (British) Royal Air Force has now been completed. Aircraft number BS036 has this month been rolled out of final production at BAE Systems’ 302 Hangar in Warton, Lancashire for test flying and final assessment before delivery to the RAF," the company said in a statement Oct. 26.

"In total there are 148 ‘Tranche 1’ Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft on order. The value of the order to BAE Systems for this element of the total Typhoon program is some 4.9 billion pounds -- $10 billion," the company said.

"Spain, Germany, Italy and (Britain) are all involved in the manufacture of the Typhoon as part of the Eurofighter GmBH consortium. (Britain) and Spain have now both completed their Tranche 1 orders with work on Tranche 2 now well underway and the details behind a Tranche 3 still being finalized," BAE Systems said.

"Typhoon has been widely acclaimed since its maiden flight offering pilots levels of performance and control that were unavailable in the past. Weighing in at 14 tons, a Typhoon can generate 18 tons of thrust from its afterburners – a power to weight ratio which means it can climb from runway height to 45,000 feet in just 30 seconds," the company said.

BAE Systems program director for Typhoon, Trevor King, said: “I am delighted to see the roll-out of our last Tranche 1 aircraft. We should reflect on the momentous achievements in generating and providing this defense capability. I am proud of all the staff across the whole of the program for their outstanding efforts over the recent years in delivering this initial tranche of aircraft.”