THE EUROFIGHTER 2000 test-flight programme resumed on 17 May, with a flight of the DA2 development aircraft from British Aerospace Warton. A Paris air show debut in June is in doubt after the programme's management agency raised contractual questions about its appearance.
The DA2 took off from Warton for a 1h 25min flight, after months on the ground awaiting upgraded software and avionics.
The flight is to be closely followed by the maiden flight of the Italian-built DA3 - the first to be powered by the Eurojet EJ 200 engine, which is to be the production-standard power plant.
The DA2 is due to appear at Le Bourget, even though the delays have left little time to clear the aircraft to fly at the show and to prepare a display routine.
Source: Flight International
