The four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon is a foreplane delta-wing,

beyond-visual-range, close air fighter aircraft with surface attack capability.

Eurofighter has 'supercruise' capability: it can fly at sustained speeds of over
Mach 1 without the use of afterburner.

Development of the aircraft has been carried out by Eurofighter

GmbH, based in Munich and wholly owned by BAE Systems of the UK, Alenia
Aeronautica of Italy and the EADS Deutschland (formerly DaimlerChrysler) and
EADS Spain (formerly CASA). In January 2003, Norway signed an agreement
for industrial participation in the project, but has not committed to purchase of
the fighter. The EJ200 engine has been developed by Eurojet GmbH, in Munich
which is owned by Rolls Royce, MTU Aero Engines, Fiat Aviazione and ITP.

An overall production contract for 620 aircraft was signed in January

1998, with 232 for the UK, 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy and 87 for Spain.
Initial orders have been placed for 148 aircraft: Germany (44), Italy (29), Spain
(20) and the UK (55).

Prime customer is the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency

(NETMA), representing the four governments. Series production of the aircraft
is underway at EADS Military Aircraft (Germany), BAE Systems, Alenia
Aeronautica and EADS CASA (Spain). The first four series production aircraft
for the four participating nations took maiden flights in February 2003 and the
Eurofighter received type acceptance, a prerequisite for entry into service, by
the four services on 30 June 2003.
The first series production twin-seat aircraft were delivered to the
German Air Force in August 2003, to the Spanish Air Force in September 2003,
to the UK Royal Air Force in December 2003 and to the Italian Air Force in
February 2004. The first single-seat aircraft were delivered to Spain in
December 2004, Italy in January 2005 and Germany in February 2005. The
four participating nations signed the contract for Tranche 2 production in
December 2004. Tranche 2 comprises 236 aircraft: Germany 68, Italy 46,
Spain 33 and UK 89. Tranche 2 deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2008 with
final deliveries scheduled for 2015.

Greece has also chosen to join the Eurofighter programme but has
decided to delay its acquisition of 60 aircraft until 2005. Austria signed a
contract for 18 Eurofighter aircraft in August 2003, to be delivered from
2007. In June 2004, two UK RAF Typhoons flew to Singapore for evaluation by
the Singapore Air Force.
The Eurofighter is equipped with two Eurojet EJ200
engines, each delivering thrust of 90kN in full reheat and 60kN in
dry power mode. Single-stage turbines drive the three-stage fan and
five-stage HP compressor. The engine features: digital control; wide
chord aerofoils and single crystal turbine blades; a convergent
/divergent exhaust nozzle; and integrated health monitoring.

Total combat thrust generated is 40,000lb.

The aircraft is constructed of carbon fire composites, glass-reinforced
plastic, aluminium lithium, titanium and aluminium casting. Stealth technology
features includelow frontal radar cross-section, passive sensors and supercruise
ability.
The foreplane/delta configuration is intentionally aerodynamically unstable
which provides a high level of agility (particularly at supersonic speeds), low drag
and enhanced lift. The pilot controls the aircraft through a computerised digital
fly-by-wire system which provides artificial stabilisation and gust elevation to give
good control characteristics throughout the flight envelope.

Eurofighter Typhoon DA2 for the United Kingdom offers envelope expansion and carefree handling
The internally-mounted Mauser BK27mm gun is a revolver gun system with a linkless-closed ammunition feed
system. The EurofighterTyphoon has 13 hard points for weapon carriage, four under each wing and five under the fuselage.
An Armament Control System (ACS) manages weapons selection and firing and monitors weapon status.

Depending on role, the fighter can carry the following mix of missiles: air-superiority - six BVRAAM (Beyond
Visual Range)/AMRAAM air-to-air missiles on semi-recessed fuselage stations and two ASRAAM short-range air-to-air
missiles on the outer pylons; air interdiction - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, two cruise missiles and two anti-radar missiles
(ARM); SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, six anti-radar missiles; multi-role - three
AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, two ARM and two GBU-24 Paveway III/IV; close air support - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, 18
Brimstone anti-armour missiles; maritime attack - four AMRAAM, two ASRAAM, six anti-ship missiles.

The UK RAF has selected MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Meteor for the BVRAAM requirement and
Raytheon AMRAAM until Meteor enters service. Meteor uses a new air-breathing ramjet motor for increased range and
manoeuvrability. AMRAAM will be fitted
. from 2002 and Meteor around 2010. German, Italian and Spanish Eurofighters will
carry the imaging infrared IRIS-T air-to-air missile being developed by BGT of Germany, expected to enter service in 2005.
German and Spanish aircraft will also be armed with the Taurus KEPD 350 standoff missile from EADS/LFK and Saab Bofors.
RAF Eurofighters will carry the MBDA Storm Shadow / Scalp EG stand-off cruise missile, which entered operational service
on Tornado aircraft in March 2003, and also the MBDA Brimstone anti-armour missile which is to enter service in 2005.

Eurofighter test firing

the AMRAAM air-to-air
missile
The pilot's control system is a voice-throttle-and-stick system (VTAS). The stick and throttle
tops house 24 fingertip controls for sensor and weapon control, defence aids management, and inflight
handling. The direct voice input allows the pilot to carry out mode selection and data entry procedures
using voice [Link] quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system has an Automatic Low Speed
Recovery System (ALSR) which provides the pilot with visual and audio low speed warning and will, if
necessary, automatically take control of the aircraft and return to safe [Link] BAE Systems Striker
Helmet Mounted Symbology System (HMS) and Head Up Display show the flight reference data, weapon
aiming and cueing, and the FLIR imagery. BAE Systems TERPROM ground proximity warning system is being
fitted. The cockpit has three multifunction, colour, head-down displays (MHDDs), which show the tactical
situation, systems status and map displays. An international consortium EuroMIDS, which includes Data
Link Solutions of the US, supplies. the MIDS Low Volume Terminal provides Link 16 capability for secure
transfer of data.

The Eurofighter
Typhoon
cockpit.
The F/A-22 Raptor advanced tactical fighter
aircraft is being developed for service with the US Air Force
from the year 2005. The USAF requirement is for a fighter
to replace the F-15, with emphasis on agility, stealth and
range. By 1990 Lockheed Martin, teamed with Boeing and
General Dynamics, had built and flown the demonstration
prototype aircraft, designated YF-22. The first F-22 fighter
aircraft was unveiled in April 1997 and was given the name
Raptor. In September 2002, the USAF decided to
redesignate the aircraft F/A-22 to reflect its multi-mission
capability in ground attack as well as air-to-air roles.

The decision to proceed to low-rate initial production

(LRIP) was authorised in August 2001 and Lockheed Martin
has delivered 49 aircraft under LRIP contracts. Initial
Operational Test and Evaluation began in April 2004 and was
successfully completed in February 2005. The F/A-22
entered full-rate production in April 2005 and is planned to
achieve initial operating capability by December 2005.
The USAF has a total requirement of 381 aircraft
but funding may not be made available for more than 180. The
first operational wing of F/A-22 Raptors will be based at
Langley AFB in Virginia, eventually replacing F-15 Eagle
aircraft. During flight tests, the F/A-22 has demonstrated
the ability to 'supercruise', flying at sustained speeds of over
Mach 1.5 without the use of afterburner.
Lockheed Martin has put forward proposals for a
fighter-bomber version of the F-22, the FB-22, which will
have larger delta wings, longer range and the ability to carry
an external weapons payload of 4,500kg and total weapons
payload of 15,000kg.
The F-22 is powered by two Pratt and Whitney F119-100 engines.
The F119-100 is a low bypass after burning turbofan engine providing
156kN thrust. The F119 is the first fighter aircraft engine equipped with
hollow wide chord fan blades which are installed in the first fan stage.
Thrust vectoring is controlled by a Hamilton Standard dual redundant full
authority digital engine control (FADEC). The FADEC is integrated with
the flight control computers in the BAE Systems Flight Controls vehicle
management system.

The F/A-22 is
powered by two F119-
100 engines from
Pratt and Whitney.
The F/A-22 construction is 39% titanium, 24% composite, 16%
aluminium and 1% thermoplastic by weight. Titanium is used for its high
strength-to-weight ratio in critical stress areas, including some of the
bulkheads, and also for its heat-resistant qualities in the hot sections of
the aircraft. Carbon fibre composites have been used for the fuselage
frame, the doors, intermediate spars on the wings, and for the honeycomb
sandwich construction skin panels.

The main
underfuselage
weapon bay can
carry AMRAAM air-
to-air missiles and
the Joint Direct
Attack Munition,
JDAM.
A variant of the M61A2 Vulcan cannon is installed internally above the right air
intake. The General Dynamics Linkless Ammunition Handling System holds 480 rounds of
20mm ammunition and feeds the gun at a rate of 100 rounds per [Link] F-22 has four
hardpoints on the wings, each rated to carry 2,270kg, which can carry AIM-120A AMRAAM or
external fuel tanks. The Raptor has three internal weapon bays. The main weapons bay can
carry six AMRAAM AIM-120C missiles or two AMRAAM and two 1,000lb GBU-32 Joint Direct
Attack Munition (JDAM). The bay is fitted with the EDO Corp. LAU-142/A AVEL AMRAAM
Vertical Ejection Launcher which is a pneumatic-ejection system controlled by the stores
management system. Raytheon AMRAAM air-to-air missile is an all-weather short to medium
range radar-guided fire and forget missile, with a range of 50nm. The side bays can each be
loaded with one Lockheed Martin/Raytheon AIM-9M or AIM-9X Sidewinder all-aspect short-
range air-to-air [Link] GPS-guided, Boeing Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) is being
integrated on the F/A-22. Up to eight SDBs could be carried.

F/A-22 Raptor firing an

AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The cockpit is fitted with hands-on throttle and stick control
(HOTAS). The cockpit has six color liquid crystal displays. The Kaiser
Electronics Projection Primary Multifunction Display provides a plan view of
the air and ground tactical situation including threat identity, threat
priority and tracking [Link] displays provide communication,
navigation, identification and flight information. Three secondary displays
show air and ground threats, stores management and air threat
information.A BAE SYSTEMS head-up display (HUD) shows target status,
weapon status, weapon envelopes and shoot cues. A video camera records
data on the HUD for post-mission analysis.

The USAF has a total

requirement of 381 aircraft .
The Sukhoi Design Bureau of Moscow, Russia has
developed the Su-47 (previously called the S-37 Berkut or
Golden Eagle) fighter aircraft, which first flew in September
1997. Su-47 is in a forward swept wing configuration and uses
a highly unstable triplane (with three main lifting surfaces)
aerodynamic configuration. The Su-47 completed the first
stage of flight trials in December 2001. In May 2002, Sukhoi
was selected as prime contractor for the next-generation
Russian PAK FA fighter programme. The PAK FA will be a
development of the Su-47 but without the forward swept
[Link] design of the very high manoeuvrability prototype
is based on the avionics and aerodynamics technologies
developed for the Su-27 upgrade programme. Some of the
systems and component designs from the Su-27, (the all
weather supersonic fighter aircraft with NATO reporting
name Flanker), have been used in the Su-47, for example the
design of the canopy, landing gear, some of the avionics and
the near-vertical tails.

The Su-47 has extremely high

agility at subsonic speeds enabling the aircraft to alter its
angle of attack and its flight path very quickly, and it also
retains. manoeuvrability in supersonic flightMaximum turn rates and
the upper and lower limits on air speed for weapon launch are
important criteria in terms of combat superiority. The Su-47 aircraft
has very high levels of manoeuvrability with maintained stability and
controllability at all angles of [Link] turn rates are
important in close combat and also at medium and long range, when the
mission may involve engaging consecutive targets in different sectors
of the airspace. A high turn rate of the Su-47 allows the pilot to turn
the fighter aircraft quickly towards the next target to initiate the
weapon launch. The swept-forward wing, compared to a swept-back
wing of the same area, provides a number of advantages: higher lift to
drag ratio; higher capacity in dogfight manoeuvres; higher range at
subsonic speed; improved stall resistance and anti-spin
characteristics; improved stability at high angles of attack; a lower
minimum flight speed; and a shorter take-off and landing distance.
The Su-47 fuselage is oval in cross section and the
airframe is constructed mainly of aluminium and titanium alloys
and 13 per cent by weight of composite [Link] nose
radome is slightly flattened at the fore section and has a
horizontal edge to optimise the aircraft's anti-spin
characteristics.

Detailed views of
the Su-47.
The Su-47 has a
maximum speed of
1.6 Mach and a
greater than 9 g g-
force capability.
The forward swept midwing gives the unusual and characteristic
appearance of the Su-47. A substantial part of the lift generated by the
forward-swept wing occurs at the inner portion of the wingspan. The lift is not
restricted by wingtip stall. The ailerons - the wing's control surfaces - remain
effective at the highest angles of attack, and controllability of the aircraft is
retained even in the event of airflow separating from the remainder of the
wings' [Link] wing panels of the Su-47 are constructed of nearly 90%
composites. The forward-swept midwing has a high aspect ratio, which
contributes to long-range performance. The leading-edge root extensions blend
smoothly to the wing panels, which are fitted with deflectable slats on the
leading edge; flaps and ailerons on the trailing edge. The all-moving and small-
area trapezoidal canards are connected to the leading-edge root extensions.

The forward-swept wing

configuration provides a
higher drag-to-lift ratio
and higher capacity in
dogfight manoeuvres.
The aircraft uses a retractable tricycle-type landing gear with a
single wheel at each unit. The smaller nose wheel retracts towards the
rear and the two mainwheels retract forward into the wing roots.

The Su-47 has

demonstrated high
agility and
manoeuvrability at
both subsonic and
supersonic speeds.
The cockpit's design has focused on maintaining a high degree of
comfort for the pilot and also on the pilot being able to control the
aircraft in extremely high G-load manoeuvres. The aircraft is equipped
with a new ejection seat and life support system. The variable geometry
adaptive ejection seat is inclined at an angle of 60°, which reduces the
impact of high G forces on the pilot. The seat allows dogfight manoeuvres
with significantly higher G loadings than can normally be tolerated by the
pilot. The pilot uses a side-mounted, low-travel control stick and a
tensometric throttle control.

The Su-47, previously

known as the S-37 Berkut
(Golden Eagle) fighter
aircraft.
Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the
US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The B-2 is a low-
observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of
penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defence shields. It is
capable of all-altitude attack missions up to 50,000ft, with a
range of more than 6,000nm unrefuelled and more than
10,000nm with one refuelling, giving it the ability to fly to any
point in the world within hours. Its distinctive profile comes
from the unique 'flying wing' construction. The leading edges
of the wings are angled at 33 degrees and the trailing edge
has a double-W shape. It is manufactured at the Northrop
Grumman facilities in Pico Rivera and Palmdale in California. 21
B-2s have been delivered to Whiteman Air Force Base in
Missouri, the first in December 1993. In the first three years
of service, the operational B-2s achieved a sortie reliability
rate of 90%. An assessment published by the USAF showed
that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job
of 75 conventional aircraft.A new transportable hangar
system has been developed which allows the B-2 to be
deployed to forward locations overseas. The hangars are
126ft long, 250ft wide and 55ft high.
The first of these hangars has been erected on Diego
Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Prior to this development, B-2s
have had to return to Whiteman AFB after missions, for
maintenance of the aircraft's stealth features. The B-2 was
thus deployed for the first time during Operation Iraqi
Freedom in March/April 2003. In March 2005, a B-2 squadron
was deployed for the first time to Andersen Air Force Base in
Guam in support of the USAF Pacific Command.
Northrop Grumman has developed a new radar-absorbent
coating to preserve the B-2's stealth characteristics while
drastically reducing maintenance time. The new material,
known as Alternate High-Frequency Material (AHFM), is
sprayed on by four independently controlled [Link] B-2,
after ten years of service, finally achieved full operational
capability in December 2003.
The aircraft is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100
turbofan engines internally mounted in the body of the wings. The engines
have an exhaust temperature control system to minimise thermal signature.
The engines, rated at 77kN, provide a high subsonic speed and a maximum
gross take-off weight of 336,500lb. In-flight refuelling gear is installed in
the top centre line of the aircraft behind the cockpit.

The B-2 is
considered the
most survivable
aircraft ever built.
The aircraft carries all its weapons internally and is fitted with two separate weapons bays in the
centre of the aircraft. The B-2 has the capacity to carry up to 40,000lb of weapons, including conventional and
nuclear weapons, precision-guided munitions, gravity bombs and a range of maritime [Link] weapons bay is
equipped with a rotary launcher and two bomb-rack assemblies. In tests, the B-2 successfully released B-61 and
B-83 nuclear and Mk 84 conventional bombs from the rotary rocket launcher, and Mk-82 and CBU-87 conventional
weapons from the bomb racks. The B61-11 is an earth-penetrating nuclear bomb for use against deeply buried and
hardened targets. The B83 is a strategic free-fall nuclear bomb. The B-2 can also carry the AGM-129 Advanced
Cruise Missile, which is a strategic cruise missile with a range estimated at up to 1,500 miles.16 satellite-guided
JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) missiles can be carried. Northrop Grumman is converting the B-2 bomb rack
assembly to a new 'smart' configuration, which will increase the number of JDAMs which can be carried to a
maximum of 80. The aircraft will also be fitted with the Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW), Joint Air-to-Surface
Stand-off Missiles (JASSM) and the Wind Compensated Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) when these enter service.A
Generic Weapons Interface System (GWIS) has been fitted as part of the Block 30 upgrade. The GWIS is
anintegrated digital software package, which allows the B-2 to carry different mixes of stand-off weapons and
direct attack munitions on a single sortie, enabling the aircraft to attack up to four different types of targets on a
single mission.

B-2s have successfully released

bomb shapes from the rotary
launcher and conventional
weapons from bomb-rack
assemblies.
The cockpit accommodates two crew. It is equipped with a colour,
nine-tube, electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS), which displays
flight, engine and sensor data and avionics systems and weapons status.
The pilot can choose to activate the appropriate selection of flight and
mission equipment for take-off mode, go-to-war mode and landing mode by
using a simple three-way switch.

The cockpit is
equipped with a
colour, nine-tube,
electronic flight
instrumentation
system (EFIS)
The F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter attack aircraft
was developed by Lockheed Martin after work on stealth
technology, and the predecessor test demonstrator aircraft,
Have Blue, was carried out in secret from 1975. Development of
the F-117A began in 1978 and it was first flown in 1981, but it
was not until 1988 that its existence was publicly announced.
The Nighthawk is the world's first operational stealth aircraft.
The first aircraft was delivered in 1982 and the last of the 59
Nighthawks procured by the US Air Force was received in 1990
55 are still in service.

The F-117A aircraft is also known as the Frisbee and

the Wobblin' Goblin. The mission of the aircraft is to penetrate
dense threat environments and attack high-value targets with
high accuracy. Nighthawk has been in operational service in
Panama, during Operation Desert Storm, in Kosovo and during
Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Nighthawk is only used for night-time missions.

However, the USAF is evaluating the F-117 for use on daylight
operations and one aircraft has been repainted grey for the
tests.
In January 2004, an F-117 successfully released
a JDAM (JDAM) 2,000lb bomb for the first time. The
integration of JDAM and other precision-guided
weapons on the F-117 is coupled with the Block II
software upgrade and is planned to achieve Initial
Operating Capability (IOC) in 2005.
The F-117A is powered by two low-bypass F404-GE-F1D2 turbofan
engines from General Electric. The rectangular air intakes on both sides
of the fuselage are covered by gratings, which are coated with radar-
absorbent [Link] wide and flat structure of the engine exhaust area
reduces the infrared and radar detectability of the aft section of the
engine. The two large tail fins slant slightly outwards to provide an
obstruction to the infrared and radar returns from the engine exhaust
area.

The Nighthawk
is the world's
first
operational
stealth aircraft.
The US Air
Force has 59
Nighthawks.
The surfaces and edge profiles are optimised to reflect hostile radar into
narrow beam signals, directed away from the enemy radar detector. All the doors
and opening panels on the aircraft have saw-toothed forward and trailing edges to
reflect radar. The aircraft is mainly constructed of aluminum, with titanium for
areas of the engine and exhaust systems. The outer surface of the aircraft is
coated with a radar-absorbent material (RAM). The radar cross-section of the F-
117 has been estimated at between [Link] F-117A has four elevons on the
inboard and outboard trailing edge of the wing. The V-shaped tail, which controls
the yaw of the aircraft, acts as a flying tail, which means that the whole surface
acts as a control surface. The elevons do not act as flaps to reduce the rate of
descent for touchdown, so the landing speed of the F-117A is high, at about 180 or
190 miles per hour, and a drag parachute is used.

By avoiding banking sharply,

the F-117A reduces its signal
to enemy radar
The aircraft can carry a range of tactical fighter
ordnance in the weapons bay, including BLU-109B low-level
laser-guided bomb, GBU-10 and GBU-27 laser-guided bomb
units, Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick and Raytheon AGM-88
HARM air-to-surface missiles.

An F-117
Nighthawk
dropping a laser-
guided bomb
The cockpit has a Kaiser Electronics head-up display
(HUD) and the flight deck is equipped with a large video
monitor, which displays the infrared imagery from the
aircraft's onboard sensors. The cockpit has a full-colour
moving map developed by the Harris Corporation. The fly-by-
wire system is supplied by BAE Systems Aircraft Controls.

Special coatings
on the cockpit
canopy glass
make the panels
appear as metallic
surfaces to radar