Eurofighter Typhoon Facts for Kids

A German Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a super-fast jet fighter aircraft. It was built by several big companies from Europe, like Airbus, BAE Systems, and Alenia Aeronautica, working together as Eurofighter GmbH. This amazing plane first flew in 1994 and started being used by air forces in 2003.

It's special because it has small wings at the front called canards and a main delta wing (which looks like a triangle). These features help it be super agile and quick in the sky! It's called the "Eurofighter" because it was created by European countries: Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain.

The countries that helped design the Typhoon are the main ones that use it. Other countries like Austria and Saudi Arabia have also bought this powerful jet.

Typhoon's Power and Size

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a big and powerful plane! It is about 11 meters (36 feet) wide, which is like the length of a large school bus. It's also 15 meters (49 feet) long and about 5.3 meters (17 feet) tall.

When it's empty, the plane weighs around 9,750 kilograms (21,494 pounds). But when it's ready for action with fuel, weapons, and other gear, it can weigh up to 21,000 kilograms (46,300 pounds)!

This jet has two strong EJ200 engines. Each engine can create a huge push of 9,072 kilograms (20,000 pounds) of thrust. This power lets the Typhoon fly incredibly fast, up to 2,125 kilometers per hour (1,320 mph)! That's much faster than the speed of sound.

For defense and attack, the Typhoon carries a 27mm Mauser cannon. It can also carry many different types of missiles and bombs, making it ready for various missions.

Images for kids

British Aerospace EAP ZF534 (for "Experimental Aircraft Programme") at the Farnborough Air Show, 1986. This plane helped test ideas for the Typhoon.
RAF Typhoon FGR4 ZK356 shows its delta wing, July 2016. The delta wing is shaped like a triangle.
A close-up of RAF Typhoon F2 ZJ910, showing the small front wing called a canard.
The powerful EJ200 engine.
The special shape of the wing's front edge, called a Leading Edge Root Extension.
The air intake for the engine. It's designed to hide the engine fans from radar.
Inside the Typhoon cockpit, where the pilot sits.
A special helmet that shows information to the pilot.
A CAPTOR-E radar system, which helps the plane "see" other aircraft.
The PIRATE IRST system, which helps the plane detect heat from other aircraft.
An EJ200 engine on display at the Paris Air Show in 2013.
The front part of the aircraft's turbofan engine.
A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon 31+17 taking off in July 2010.
A view from below a Spanish Eurofighter, showing where it carries weapons.
The Eurofighter Typhoon has 13 "hardpoints" where it can attach weapons and fuel tanks.
An Austrian Air Force Eurofighter 7L-WA flying towards Zeltweg Air Base in July 2007.
A German Luftwaffe Eurofighter 30+25 leaving the RIAT air show in July 2019.
Typhoon T1 ZJ800 from No. XVII (R) Squadron at RAF Waddington in June 2004. This was the first full production plane for the RAF.
A QRA Typhoon F2 (ZJ932) from No. XI (F) Squadron flying next to a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean in August 2008.
Typhoon FGR4 ZK439 landing at RAF Marham in May 2020. This was one of the last Typhoons delivered to the RAF.
A Saudi Arabian RSAF Typhoon 1007 flying through Malta International Airport in December 2009.
A Spanish Eurofighter Tifón C.16-44 from 142 Escuadrón in May 2016.
A map showing countries that use the Eurofighter Typhoon (blue) and those that have ordered it (cyan).
German ground crew attaching an IRIS-T missile to a Eurofighter.

Eurofighter Typhoon facts for kids

Typhoon's Power and Size

Images for kids

See also