London, February 7 - The Eurofighter consortium has secured a significant contract from the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) to advance the development, testing, and certification of the Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Announced in early February 2026, the agreement involves partner nations Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This milestone builds on earlier flight testing conducted in 2015 and represents the first major external airframe changes to the Typhoon since its prototype flew in 1994. The contract tasks Eurofighter partner companies, Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, with leading the AMK's progression, underscoring continued European collaboration in advanced combat aircraft systems.
The Aerodynamic Modification Kit introduces targeted enhancements to the Typhoon's airframe, including extensions to the fuselage strakes, flaperons, and leading-edge root. These modifications are designed to deliver a noticeable increase in maximum wing lift, thereby improving overall aerodynamic performance. By optimizing airflow and control surface effectiveness, the AMK enhances the aircraft's agility and load-carrying capabilities without compromising its core strengths as a multirole fighter. This upgrade ensures the Typhoon remains adaptable to evolving operational demands in modern air combat environments.
A primary benefit of the AMK lies in its ability to accelerate the integration of new weapons systems and facilitate certification of additional, and often heavier, external loads. This includes future anti-radar missiles essential for the suppression and destruction of enemy air defense radars, as well as updated standoff missile variants. The kit streamlines qualification processes for such payloads, reducing time and complexity while maintaining the aircraft's flight performance, maneuverability, and survivability. These improvements support broader mission effectiveness, particularly in contested airspace where rapid adaptation to emerging threats is critical.
The contract marks a key step in sustaining the Eurofighter Typhoon's long-term relevance as a frontline combat platform. By enabling enhanced target acquisition, superior close-quarters combat capabilities, and greater flexibility in weapons carriage, the AMK strengthens the jet's operational edge for partner air forces. This initiative not only bolsters the Typhoon's combat potential but also reinforces Europe's aerospace industrial expertise through successful multinational cooperation in fighter development and qualification.
