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Eurojet GmbH's function is to manage the programme on behalf of the engine partners - Rolls-Royce and MTU (with 33 percent share each), FiatAvio (21 percent) and ITP ( 13 percent) - and chair meetings between NETMA and representatives of the consortium, a task that can be quite as challenging as the technical one.
Eurojet GmbH managing director Ken Greenall is very pleased with the progress of the EJ200 engine, of which 18 prototypes have now been delivered. Eurojet has achieved close to 7,500 hours of bench running, including more than 2,500 hours in the Altitude Test Facilities of Pyestock and Stuttgart. In addition more than 1,500 hours of engine running have been completed in the aircraft, with over 400 of those in flight, from more than 220 flights in the five prototype Eurofighters fitted with the EJ200. The first two aircraft are to be retrofitted with the EJ200 shortly.
No significant problems in flight testing
Ken Greenall, a solicitor by profession, formerly in a range of management positions with Rolls-Royce's commercial engine department, describes the engine flight test programme as "very satisfactory, without significant engine problems." The EJ200 has now covered an envelope up to 40,000ft at speeds between 135kts and Mach 1.6, and DA3 and DAS have achieved supercruise with the first standard engine, going supersonic without the use of reheat. Customer technical milestones have been achieved, the current engine provides the full thrust of 13,500lbs dry and 20,000lbs in reheat, and is "very close" to achieving its spec in weight...