Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 2

Tranche 2 aircraft began to be delivered in October 2008. Their purpose was twofold: to remove obsolescence inherited from the first batch and to extend baseline air combat and air-to-ground capability. Block 8 set a new hardware standard to STANAG 4626 for all onboard computers. Block 10, corresponding to Phase A, brought the IFF update to Mode 5 Level 2, the MIDS Link 16 data link and a differential GPS with predictive capability that warns the pilot if the connection could be lost during an attack with satellite-guided weapons; it introduced the digital IRIS-T, the Paveway IV with supersonic release capability and additional designator pod functions, and allowed the helmet-mounted symbology system to display ground targets and the designator to be cued through the helmet sight, as well as engaging two different targets simultaneously with laser-guided bombs. In the electronic warfare domain it added new low-band antennas with polarisation diversity, a countermeasures system with an extended frequency range and greater radiated power, improved digital radio frequency memory techniques and a 4 GHz lower frequency limit for the Ariel towed decoy. Block 15, corresponding to Phase B — although the exact split between A and B is unclear — allowed the DASS missile approach warners to identify threats by comparison against a database and to release flares and chaff automatically, with target signatures uploaded before flight; it introduced automatic combat air patrol and automatic attack modes, letting the Eurofighter fly the CAP route autonomously or execute the run-in to a ground target; it extended voice control to ninety commands, including querying information on any target or waypoint, voice control of the designator pod and waypoint creation; it allowed the pilot to programme the Paveway IV impact angle and fuzing mode; and it opened the possibility of engaging up to six targets with laser-guided bombs, the laser switching automatically to the next target after each impact.