British Aerospace EAP (1986) and Eurofighter EFA

First two-seat Eurofighter 2000 DA-6 built in Spain on its first flight 31 August 1996

In 1982 the partners in the Tornado aircraft, Panavia, agreed to cooperate on the design and manufacture of a new agile fighter to meet NATO staff requirements. The type was intended to secure and maintain air superiority in combat and at long range and would have to be capable of short field performance in all weathers. Shortly afterwards the German and Italian parties withdrew from the programme but British Aerospace continued with development of the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP). The first and only example of the aircraft (ZF534) flew on 8 August 1986. Powered by two RB.199 Mk 104D turbofans, it embraced many advanced features.

EAP ZF534 marked as 203 for the Paris Airshow 1987

The fact that BAe kept the project alive through the demonstrator probably ensured that the specification was resurrected as revised ESR-D. Now the Panavia partners were to be joined by CASA in Spain; in 1988 two main development contracts were signed calling for seven development aircraft known in the short term as the European Fighter Aircraft (EFA). The first of these, DA-1 98+29 powered by two RB.199-22 engines flew on 27 March 1994 while the British prototype, DA-2 ZH588, flew on 6 April of the same year. With a British order placed in September 1996 the future of the type looks secure and it should enter service in 2002.

British development aircraft DA-2 ZH588

Specification and production

Note

* with reheat