The deployment of Eurofighter can (at present) be broken down into five groups; Development Aircraft, Instrumented Production Aircraft, Tranche-1, Tranche-2 and Trache-3. For the time being only the DA, IPA and Tranche-1 aircraft are of interest. The remaining tranches are due to begin construction in 2005 and 2010 respectively. Note that in the tables below the designation links to an image of the aircraft if available, more images may be available in the gallery.

 Development Aircraft (DA)

During the lengthy development of the Typhoon seven Development Aircraft (known as DA's) where constructed by the Eurofighter consortium. These aircraft where split among the four major consortium partners; BAE Systems, EADS Germany and Alenia operating two each with EADS CASA operating a single example. Eight DA's were originally planned with BAE operating three (taking the designation DA5, now taken by the second EADS aircraft) rather than two. This was however scrapped in 1991 due to monetary issues.

From basic Flight Control System and envelope through to sensor integration and weapons release these aircraft are tasked with testing each and every part of the aircraft. By early 2002 over 2000 flights had been completed in the seven aircraft.

 Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA)

The original seven development aircraft have subsequently been joined by another five Instrumented Production Aircraft or IPA's. These differ from the DA series in that they represent the initial production standard for Tranche-1 aircraft. Their job, along with the DA's is to complete the remaining trials and studies necessary to bring the Typhoon to a full Initial Operational Capability. The alternative designation indicates whether the aircraft is a single or twin-seat production model, PSxxx is Production Single-seat and PTxxx is Production Twin-seat.

 Tranche-1 ( 2002 - 2005 )

Tranche-1 consists of 148 aircraft split between the original consortium partners. They represent an initial standard of Typhoon, missing some basic equipment and functionality. They will be progressively upgraded to a full Operational Capability before deliveries of the second tranche commence in 2005. These aircraft will initially be used for evaluation, testing and training by the partner nations airforces. And as capability and numbers allow they will form the first all weather Eurofighter Typhoon air defence squadrons.

Royal Air Force

Luftwaffe

Areonautica Militare Italina

Ejercito del Aire Espanol

Sources :

[1] : BAE Systems, Warton, UK
[2] : Eurofighter GmbH