Eurofighter Typhoon Air Data Testing Challenges, Techniques and Lessons Learned

Abstract

In contrast to classical (nose) boom-based pitot-static systems, the Air Data System (ADS) of the Eurofighter Typhoon is set up as a multi-redundant system consisting of four vanes attached to the fuselage. They are located shortly downstream the radome in an area which is significantly influenced by the local flow field. One of the air data parameters provided by this system is the barometric altitude. The Bundeswehr Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD 61) sought a deeper insight into the calibration of the air data system and the performance of the barometric altitude measurement. Therefore, flight tests were initiated in cooperation with the German Aero-space Center (DLR). While initial data was gained by a relatively small joint WTD 61 and DLR team, the results necessitated to extend the program and with it the number of involved partners. The key factor for success was now a common understanding of what could be done to improve the ADS performance. Apart from the technical aspects, the project is a good example of a successful cooperation among several and changing partners from different organizations and nations in one test team. This paper provides an overview of the results and their consequences, different approaches for the validation of the findings and the evolving need to cooperate in order to improve the performance of the ADS. It also lists things that could possibly go wrong (and of course did go wrong) and ends up with a summary of results we have as of today and a look ahead on the next iteration.