Home Air Cobham secures chaff and flare deal for German Quadriga Eurofighters

Cobham secures chaff and flare deal for German Quadriga Eurofighters

German Eurofighter chaf and flare
Photo: Cobham Mission Systems

UK-based military aircraft technology provider Cobham Mission Systems has won subcontracts to provide chaff and flare dispenser equipment for the German Air Force’s Quadriga Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.

Germany is buying an additional 38 fighters for an estimated cost of around $6.35 billion, with the aim of replacing its Tranche 1 airframes.

The chaff and flare defensive aid systems that will be supplied for the fighters by Cobham Mission Systems will include flare dispensers for off-board infrared-seeking missile countermeasures and chaff dispensers that deploy particles to neutralize threats from radar guided missiles.

“These new orders will allow Cobham Mission Systems’ to support the build of 38 Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, which are vital to the European defense industry,” said Duncan Thorndike, vice president of Weapons Carriage and Release for Cobham Mission Systems. “Cobham Mission Systems has supported the Typhoon program from the start and has provided essential equipment for more than 550 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft currently in service.”

Earlier this month, German sensor specialist Hensoldt announced an award for the production and delivery of radar systems and core electronics components for the Germany’s Quadriga fighter. The new radars, which will be based on AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology, will be produced at the company’s site in Ulm and at consortium partner Indra’s site in Spain.

The contract for the purchase of 38 new Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters was signed between the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) and Eurofighter GmbH on November 11, 2020. The purchase was approved by the German parliament on November 5. Of the 38 fighters, 7 will be twin seater and 31 will be single seater aircraft.

Once delivered, the Quadriga aircraft are expected to remain in German Air Force service beyond 2060.