Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 2 Block 10: Typhoon Gets an Upgrade

WalletWorrier · August 24, 2024, 8:37pm

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Overview
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a 4th generation fighter developed primarily by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. It was built in several variants, called tranches, of which Tranche 2 was of course the second. Germany received its Tranche 2s in 2003, ordering 68 tyough receiving 79, the extra 11 Tranche 2s being in exchange for 11 Tranche 1s given to Austria. The Block 10 was the second subvariant of the Tranche 2 and introduced ground-strike capabilities as well as improved air-to-air capabilites in the form of digital IRIS-Ts and the AIM-120C-5.

*All images not necessarily of T2B10 aircraft as visually identifying them is too hard

History

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Predecessor Programs
The Typhoon can be traced back to 1971, with two separate programs in Britain and Germany. These programs would unite as the European Combat Fighter in 1979, with France joining later that year. The program would collapse in 1981 due to the different requirements of the French Armed Forces, and Britain and Germany, now joined by Italy, would continue development under the Agile Combat Aircraft Programme. In 1983, this would be succeeded by the Future European Fighter Programme, now joined by Spain. France would join only to cause the collapse of the program a second time, and Italy, Germany, and the UK would restart the project in 1985 as the Eurofighter, with Spain rejoining but France not allowed to participate. They would instead start their own Avion de Combat Experimental program, resulting in the Rafale.

Development
In 1986, the first prototype of the Eurofighter, the BAe Experimental Aircraft Programme, was produced in 1986. The same year, development splits were finalized according to expected orders—Britain and Germany wanted 250 aircraft, so BAe and DASA would shoulder 33% of development, Italy ordered 165, so Aeritalia would provide 21% of developments, and Spain planned to operate 100, so CASA would contribute 13% to the development effort.
The collapse of the Soviet Union, Reunification of Germany, and end of the Cold War caused substantial delays to the Eurofighter program. Germany actually tried to pull out of the program in 1992, but was already too invested and after the French debacles a severe penalty for withdrawing from the program had been implemented. In 1995, all countries decreased their orders as Cold War tensions thawed. Britain decreased their order to 232, Germany to 180, Italy to 121, and Spain to 87. As such, development shares were redistributed. Production actually began in 1994, with seven prototypes called Development Aircraft. DA1 was a German aircraft used primarily for engines and flight testing. DA2 was British and used for flight envelope testing. DA3 was Italian and used for primarily weapons tests. DA4 was British and used for radar testing, as was the German DA5. DA6 was Spanish and used to further refine handling, and finally DA7 was Italian for weapons testing.
Following the DA Typhoons were the Instrumented Production Aircraft. These first eight production aircraft were used as testbeds for various systems, essentially being the prototypes of later Blocks and Tranches.

Tranche 1
The first production batch of Typhoons were appropriately designated the Block 1. These were twin-seat trainer aircraft with many missing avionics and limited armament, making them combat-capable only by technicality. These aircraft were produced from 2003-2004. In 2004, the first combat variant of the Typhoon entered production, this being the Block 2. The Typhoon was always intended to be a multirole fighter, but to address the years of delays in the program (the Typhoon was originally planned to enter service in 1996) air-to-air capability was prioritized over air-to-ground capability, and the Block 2 aircraft initially had no air-to-ground armament whatsoever, excluding the built-in cannon. Italy and especially Britain would later introduce limited air-to-ground capabilities for their Block 2s but Germany waited until the Tranche 2 upgrade due to budget issues. Following the Block 2 the first upgrade was the Block 2B. This fully integrated the Typhoon’s avionics and armament, introducing the Striker HMSS, MIDS datalink, radar Non-Cooperative Target Recognition, full DASS self-defense suite including MAWS and ECM jammers, PIRATE IRST, and compatibility with the advanced IRIS-T AAM. These aircraft were delivered in 2005.
The next model was the Block 5, bringing the Typhoon up to full initial capabilities. It introduced night vision for the Striker helmet, an autopilot, terrain-following radar functionality, and compatibility with various LGBs with the Litening III guidance pod (not used on German aircraft). These aircraft would be produced in 2006-2007, and existing Tranche 1s would be converted to Block 5 standard between 2007-2012 as part of the Retrofit 2 program. Block 5 was the last Tranche 1 model.

Tranche 2
The next major variant of the Typhoon was the Tranche 2. It primarily aimed to introduce ground-strike capabilities to the Typhoon. The first subvariant, the Block 8, would introduce the hardware necessary for ground strike missions but the software was not developed yet. The software would be introduced on the Block 10, bringing the Typhoon up to Extended Operational Capacity 1, or EOC-1. This gave the Typhoon compatability with several LGBs using the Rafael Litening III pod. The Block 10 also was compatible with GPS-guided weapons. Air-to-air firepower was upgraded with the integration of IRIS-T digital and AIM-120C-5. The Block 10 would be produced from 2008-2009. It served with JGB 31, replacing the Tornado IDS, and JG 71, replacing the F-4F ICE.
The final model of Tranche 2 was the Block 15, bringing the Tornado up to EOC-2. This featured integration of the Brimstone AGM, Taurus cruise missile (Germany and Spain), and the Storm Shadow cruise missile (UK and Italy) for air-to-ground and the Meteor for air-to-air. The Block 15 would be produced from 2010-2011.

Further Upgrades
The Typhoon would continue to be upgraded (and still is today) with additional armament options, both in air-to-air and air-to-ground, as well as improved software and avionics, the introduction of the highly advanced AESA CAPTOR-E radar, reduced radar cross-section, and even thrust-vectoring engines, making it still one of the most capable aircraft in the world today, despite the increasing prevalence of 5th generation fighters.

Specifications

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Airframe
Length: 15.96m
Span: 10.95m
Height: 5.28m
Wing Area: 51.2m^s
Empty Weight: 10,995kg
Loaded Weight: 16,500kg
MTOW: 23,000kg

Propulsion
2x EJ200 afterburning turbofan
Max Thrust (dry): 60kN, each
Max Thrust (WEP): 90kN, each
Max TWR: 1.67
Internal Fuel: 6,215L
External Fuel: 3x 1000L

Flight Performance
Clean
Max Speed (sea level): 1,530km/h (Mach 1.24)
Max Speed (11km): 2,125 km/h (Mach 2.00)
Max Climb Rate (sea level): 315m/s
Max G Load: +9/-3g
Brakes-off to 9,000m and Mach 1: 60s

With 2x AMRAAM, 4x IRIS-T
Max Speed (sea level): 1,390km/h (Mach 1.13)
Max Speed (11km): 2,125 km/h (Mach 2.00)
Max Climb Rate (sea level): 293m/s
Brakes-off to 10,690m and Mach 1.5: 150s
Instantaneous Turn Rate: <30deg/s*
Sustained Turn Rate: <23deg/s*
*data from Tranche 3As with thrust-vectoring that naturally increases performance

Armament
Built-in:
1x 27mm BK-27 revolver cannon
27x145mm
150 rounds
1,025m/s
1,700RPM

Centreline hardpoint:
1x 1,000L fuel
Litening III

Fuselage Hardpoints:
4x AIM-120B AMRAAM

4x AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM

Improved version of the AMRAAM with upgraded seeker and larger, more powerful motor for greatly improved range and performance

3x AMRAAM + Litening III

Wing Root Hardpoints:
2x GBU-24 Paveway III

2x GBU-32 JDAM

1,000lb Mk 83 bomb with laser/GPS guidance

2x GBU-54 JDAM

500lb Mk 82 bomb with laser/GPS guidance

Inner Wing Hardpoints:
2x AIM-120B AMRAAM
2x AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM
2x AIM-9L(I)

2x AIM-9L(I)-1

AIM-9L(I)-1 with smokeless motor of AIM-9M, making the two identical in-game

2x IRIS-T (digital)

The IRIS-T is one of the best IR missiles in the world, especially at short range. Features an extremely advanced IIR seeker, >60g maneuverability with TVC, and >30g aerodynamically with a 25km range. Can even hit targets behind the aircraft launch aircraft, though lock is restricted to only the front hemisphere for a 90deg boresight angle. Has LOAL capabilities via datalink.

2x GBU-24 Paveway III
2x GBU-32 JDAM
2x GBU-54 JDAM

Middle wing hardpoints:
2x GBU-24 Paveway III
2x GBU-32 JDAM
2x GBU-54 JDAM
1x 1,000L fuel

Outer Wing Hardpoints
2x AIM-9L(I)
2x AIM-9L(I)-1
2x IRIS-T (digital)

Systems
ECR-90C CAPTOR-M I-band PD radar
±60deg elevation and azimuth
Air-to-Air Modes: PD, PDV, TWS, AQC, TRK
Air-to-Surface Modes: terrain following and avoidance, target search and track
Special Features: Non-Cooperative Target Recognition- identifies radar targets from a pre-programed list of likely aircraft in the AO based on their radar signatures
Max Detection Range (fighter-sized target): 135-185km
Max Targets Tracked/Engaged: 20/6

32x large-calibre countermeasures (built-in)
2x Saab AB 108 BOL pods, 160 countermeasures each

The Typhoon in-game

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The Typhoon Block 10 would be an excellent multirole aircraft. Compared to a Tranche 1 block 5 for example, air-to-air performance would increase moderately. WVR performance would be identical but between the AIM-120C-5 and digital IRIS-T, BVR performance would be improved. The biggest difference would of course be the ground attack capabilities of the Tranche 2, with up to 6 LGBs with a 20km range each.

Pros: