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Single-Seat Eurofighter Makes First Flight in Italy By TOM KINGTON, ROME
The first flight by a production series, single-seat Eurofighter Typhoon took place in Italy on July 9, Finmeccanica unit Alenia Aeronautica announced July 12.
The aircraft, called IS001, assembled by Eurofighter consortium partner Alenia, flew for 59 minutes from Alenia’s Turin facility, according to a company statement. Flown by Italian test pilot Maurizio Cheli, the aircraft performed two touch-and-go maneuvers during the flight.
Alenia said it intends to start deliveries of single-seat Eurofighters to the Italian Air Force by the end of 2004 following international type acceptance, which will be based in part on the ground and flight activity of IS001.
The Italian Air Force will receive 29 first-tranche Eurofighters, including 10 twin-seat models and 19 single-seaters.
Alenia to date has delivered four twin-seat aircraft, the first of which is being used for initial training at the Air Force’s Cameri Air Base at Novara. The other three are in service with the fourth squadron at Grosseto, where they have carried out more than 100 training flights, said Alenia in a statement.
With a share of 19.5 percent of the industrial program, Alenia is responsible for wing design, production of the left wing and of the rear fuselage in cooperation with BAE Systems. Alenia also is working on some on-board systems and is responsible for final assembly of aircraft destined for the Italian Air Force.
The first flight by a production series, single-seat Eurofighter Typhoon took place in Italy on July 9, Finmeccanica unit Alenia Aeronautica announced July 12.
The aircraft, called IS001, assembled by Eurofighter consortium partner Alenia, flew for 59 minutes from Alenia’s Turin facility, according to a company statement. Flown by Italian test pilot Maurizio Cheli, the aircraft performed two touch-and-go maneuvers during the flight.
Alenia said it intends to start deliveries of single-seat Eurofighters to the Italian Air Force by the end of 2004 following international type acceptance, which will be based in part on the ground and flight activity of IS001.
The Italian Air Force will receive 29 first-tranche Eurofighters, including 10 twin-seat models and 19 single-seaters.
Alenia to date has delivered four twin-seat aircraft, the first of which is being used for initial training at the Air Force’s Cameri Air Base at Novara. The other three are in service with the fourth squadron at Grosseto, where they have carried out more than 100 training flights, said Alenia in a statement.
Alenia said that Eurofighter partner companies currently have 71 aircraft in the final assembly phase, part of a total of 110 in production. Partner air forces to date have received a total of 22 Eurofighters.Italy’s eventual planned order of 121 Eurofighters — part of an original 620 aircraft ordered by Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain — will cost the country 18 billion euros ($22.3 billion).
With a share of 19.5 percent of the industrial program, Alenia is responsible for wing design, production of the left wing and of the rear fuselage in cooperation with BAE Systems. Alenia also is working on some on-board systems and is responsible for final assembly of aircraft destined for the Italian Air Force.