RAF Eurofighter 2000s are unlikely to be delivered minus their 27 mm Mauser cannon, as widely reported (and deplored) in the media a few months ago.

In fact, the only decision taken so far is that no ammunition will be procured for the cannon installed in the 55 aircraft in the first production batch. The shells themselves are standard issue for Tornado and it is merely the absence of plastic links peculiar to Eurofighter which prevent them being loaded into the new aircraft.

Deletion of Mausers from subsequent batches is significantly less simple than it appears. The cannon itself is not only written into the production contract, but it is also Class 1 Safety-Critical. In effect, leaving an empty space, or even adding lead ballast, is not an option.

Only a change to the flight control system-at additional expense-will suffice, and no saving can be made by deleting cannon-aiming functions already in the weapons subsystem.

Indications are that all RAF Eurofighters will have their intended internal cannon and that the appropriate ammunition will be procured as the aircraft gets closer to squadron service.

What it will then be called is a matter for further speculation. Last Farnborough, when it was christened Typhoon, all concerned were at pains to point out that this name is only for use when promoting the aircraft for export beyond the borders of the four original Eurofighter partners.
Surprisingly, therefore, the new RAF chief of air staff, Sir Peter Squire, habitually refers to the aircraft as Typhoon. Perhaps this more inspiring and historic name may yet regain a place in the RAF's order of battle.

By Paul Jackson