Typhoon Phase 3 Enhancement (P3E)
Europe (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy - partner nations) · 2015 (P3E contract signed) - 2017 (P3Ec integration foreseen, P3E completed) · £165 million (contract for further enhancements, 2015)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchP3E is a crucial part of Project Centurion, aiming to transfer Tornado GR4 capabilities to Typhoon for the RAF. - The phased approach (P3Ea, P3Eb, P3Ec) allows for flexible and adaptable enhancements to meet national requirements. - Continuous investment in upgrades ensures the Typhoon remains a competitive and capable fighter aircraft well into the future.
Key engineering challenges
Integrating new weapon systems like Brimstone and Meteor missiles. - Enhancing sensor capabilities (e.g., E-Scan radar) and mission systems. - Improving interoperability and connectivity with other platforms. - Increasing the aircraft's maximum take-off mass and overall performance.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Eurofighter Partner Nations (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy) / NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency)
- Lead contractor
- Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH (consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, Leonardo)
- Lead designers
- Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH
- Project type
- upgrade
- Scale
- Applies to Eurofighter Typhoon fleet of partner nations; enhancements include improved interoperability, connectivity, lethality (enhanced E-Scan, METEOR enhancement package), air vehicle performance (increase of Maximum Take-Off Mass), survivability, and situational awareness (enhanced DASS, IFF).
- Disciplines
- Aeronautical engineering; avionics; systems integration; weapons integration; software engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- NATO standards for fighter aircraft and weapon integration.
Sources: Eurofighter Typhoon: The Programme (https://www.eurofighter.com/the-programme) - BAE Systems: Brimstone missile trials completed successfully as part of Eurofighter Typhoon enhancement programme (https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/brimstone-missile-trials-completed-successfully-as-part-of-eurofighter-typhoon-enhancement-programme) - ADS Advance: Further Typhoon enhancements unveiled (https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/further-typhoon-enhancements-unveiled.html)