26 Oct 2007 | Ref. 342/2007
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North West Warton Celebrate Typhoon
Warton, UK – More than 3,000 skilled workers in the North West of England have reasons to cheer this week as a major aircraft order reaches completion.
A first batch (Tranche 1) of 53 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft destined for the UK’s Royal Air Force has now been completed. Aircraft number BS036 has this month been rolled out of final production at BAE Systems’ 302 Hangar in Warton, Lancashire for test flying and final assessment before delivery to the RAF.
In total there are 148 ‘Tranche 1’ Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft on order. The value of the order to BAE Systems for this element of the total Typhoon programme is some £4.9bn.
Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK are all involved in the manufacture of the Typhoon as part of the Eurofighter GmBH consortium. The UK and Spain have now both completed their Tranche 1 orders with work on Tranche 2 now well underway and the details behind a Tranche 3 still being finalised.
Typhoon has been widely acclaimed since its maiden flight offering pilots levels of performance and control that were unavailable in the past. Weighing in at 14 tons, a Typhoon can generate 18 tons of thrust from its afterburners – a power to weight ratio which means it can climb from runway height to 45,000 feet in just 30 seconds.
BAE Systems Programme Director for Typhoon, Trevor King, said: “I am delighted to see the roll-out of our last Tranche 1 aircraft. We should reflect on the momentous achievements in generating and providing this defence capability. I am proud of all the staff across the whole of the programme for their outstanding efforts over the recent years in delivering this initial tranche of aircraft.”
Caption: Representatives from the Typhoon team gather to have their photograph taken in front of BS036, prior to leaving final assembly
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor for the whole of 2006
For further information please contact:
Trevor Field, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772856249 Mobile: +44 (0) 7793420413
trevor.field@baesystems.com
Stephen Bethel, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384029 Mob: + 44 (0) 7793 426328
Stephen.bethel@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
