The Eurofighter Typhoon is a European military multirole fighter developed through a multinational programme. It is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-surface operations, with capabilities that have expanded during service.[1]Typhoon FGR4Royal Air Force · raf.mod.uk · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]The AircraftEurofighter · eurofighter.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Multinational programme
The programme brought together the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain. Industrial work and final assembly were distributed across partner countries, with facilities at Warton, Manching, Turin and Getafe. This arrangement made international coordination part of the aircraft's development and production from the outset.[3]The ProgrammeEurofighter · eurofighter.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
The programme developed through successive production tranches. A tranche identifies a production grouping, while later upgrades can change an aircraft's operational capabilities. National equipment choices and development programmes add further differences within the overall Typhoon fleet.[1]Typhoon FGR4Royal Air Force · raf.mod.uk · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[3]The ProgrammeEurofighter · eurofighter.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Design and mission
Eurofighter describes the Typhoon as a swing-role aircraft: it can support air-to-air and air-to-surface tasks within a mission. This description concerns the integration of sensors, weapons and processing capacity as well as the airframe's performance.[2]The AircraftEurofighter · eurofighter.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Royal Air Force service
In RAF service, the original F Mk2 air-to-air role developed into the FGR Mk4's wider set of missions. Typhoons conduct Quick Reaction Alert duties in the United Kingdom and Falkland Islands and have supported NATO air-policing deployments.[1]Typhoon FGR4Royal Air Force · raf.mod.uk · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
The RAF first used the type in combat over Libya in 2011. Subsequent operations included missions over Iraq and Syria. Project Centurion transferred important capabilities from the Tornado GR4 before that aircraft retired, including integration of Storm Shadow, Brimstone and Meteor. The RAF's air-to-air weapons include the infrared-guided ASRAAM and radar-guided AMRAAM, alongside a 27 mm cannon. Paveway IV provides a guided-bomb capability for surface targets.[1]Typhoon FGR4Royal Air Force · raf.mod.uk · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
First flight
The first Eurofighter development aircraft flew on 27 March 1994 with test pilot Peter Weger. The initial flight marked the transition from the multinational design programme to flight testing, preceding production aircraft and the later expansion of operational weapons and mission systems.[4]30 Years YoungEurofighter · eurofighter.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details