FLUG REVUE May 2005: Eurofighter cold-weather trials in Vidsel

May 2005

EUROFIGHTER COMPLETS COLD-WEATHR TESTS

By Karl Schwarz

IPA4, an instrumented, single-seat production aircraft, had been in Vidsel, northern Sweden, since 9 December 2004, but due to excessively “mild” temperatures at the test base close to the Arctic Circle, the test programme initially made little progress. As a result, by mid-February, the 55-person team from EADS Military Aircraft Spain had only conducted 22 tests, including eight flights at temperatures of between -15ºC and -25ºC.

Eurofighter at Vidsel

This meant that the aircraft's stay in Vidsel had to be extended, as tests had to be carried out at up to -35ºC. Finally the necessary freezer-like temperatures arrived, and in the short period up to the return flight on 8 March it was possible to complete a further 23 tests, including nine flights, at between -25ºC and -31ºC. Programme director Fernando Plaza was extremely pleased. “During the campaign the aircraft and systems demonstrated outstanding operating characteristics and an exceptionally low failure rate.”

As soon as the test data has been evaluated and approved by the customer, no further obstacles will lie in the way of deploying the Eurofighter in extremely cold weather. Even if the aircraft is out in the open overnight and the airframe is frozen right through, taking off will present no problems. It should also be capable of surviving two hours' readiness on the ground during which it is reliant on the built-in auxiliary power unit (APU) for power, without the hydraulics or fuel freezing or any pumps malfunctioning. It goes without saying that the Eurofighter can be armed and refuelled under these conditions. Controlling the aircraft during taxiing and braking on runways completely covered over with ice or snow presented no problems.

After the trials at extremely low temperatures, all that is left to EADS Military Aircraft Spain to demonstrate is how the production aircraft behaves under sweltering heat. This set of trials is to be carried out in Nevada in the summer. A Eurofighter Typhoon belonging to the Royal Air Force has actually been in the USA since the beginning of February. The two-seater loaned by BAE Systems to the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit is taking part in the annual “Highrider” exercise in China Lake, California, in which electronic warfare is a major theme.

Meanwhile firing tests with the AMRAAM are continuing in the United Kingdom itself. For example, at the beginning of March prototype DA4 flew a scenario above the deep sea range near the Outer Hebrides, in which two Mirach target drones were attacked simultaneously, one simulated and the other with an active guided missile which also landed a direct hit.

Further complex missions, which will include engaging a supersonic target which is also deploying electronic jamming, are planned. There is also a requirement for a firing test under which the target data is supplied by a second Eurofighter over the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS).

Meanwhile, 40 aircraft have now left production in Manching, Warton, Turin and Getafe (Madrid) for delivery to the air forces of the partner nations, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. To date they have completed around 2,300 flying hours. KARL SCHWARZ

From page 40 of FLUG REVUE 5/2005

Last updated 14 April 2005

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