A Tranche is a signed production & delivery schedule with coarse capability specifications.

The operating air forces actually organise and differentiate their airframes on the basis of Block numbers. These are indicators of equipment and capability and are numbered sequentially across production Tranches.

In RAF service, for example, Tranche 1 contained Blocks 1, 1B, 2, 2B and 5 with Tranche 2 covering Block 8.

Upgrades are performed Block-to-Block.

The primary improvement seen in Tranche 2 was in flight software and mission computers capable of handling new weapons, with some airframe changes to replace obsolescent components. The AESA may or may not squeeze into the last Tranche 2 aircraft but will doubtless have a distinctive Block number allocated.

See Target Lock: Eurofighter Typhoon : Production : UK for a break-out of Blocks in RAF service.

Also be wary that some posters abbreviate ``Tranche'' as T, so context is required to determine whether T1 refers to Tranche 1 or T Mk. 1 etc.

Hope that helps

A

When will the T2-T3 upgrade programme start? and are the T1 aircraft capable of being rebuilt to later spec?

could someone clarify which tranches fit into the RAF designations T,F,FGR?

Modern Elmo
 

The decision to reactivate the RAF Typhoons Mauser was taken a few years ago.

Eurofighter Typhoon proves close-air support credentials for RAF

'Weapons accuracy at Davis-Monthan was high, with 100% of released stores landing within their circular error of probability distance, and 65% scoring direct hits on their targets. Several pilots from the RAF's 3 Sqn - its first frontline unit to have received the Typhoon, initially for use only for air defence purposes - took part in the exercise, where around 700 rounds were also fired from the type's Mauser 27mm cannon. More work needs to be done with the reactivated weapon, but Atha says: "As a first step, we're there."'

Typhoon training syllabus to add multirole skills

Cannons will be operable on all UK RAF Eurofighter Typhoons -24/08/2004-Flight International

TJ

Nurse
 

See following link - 'Production for the United Kingdom'

Target Lock: Eurofighter Typhoon : Production : UK

From

Target Lock: Home Page

TJ

Tim McLelland,

What!

How on earth is Diane Abbot and Michael Portillo expressing an opinion defined as "reaching a stage?"

You make NO sense whatsoever in a single word you write about the F-35.

Industrially alone the UK has such a stake that withdrawal is unthinkable.

The entire future FJ programme into the foreseeable future, and a tad beyond, relies upon derivatives of Typhoon and F-35.

If you say so. I'm more inclined to accept the view of Thatcher's Defence Minister and a leading Labour MP (amongst many others). You accuse me of making no sense, and then you add some sweeping statement about industry, FJ future policy and so on. I trust that you're old enough and wise enough to know that these kinds of considerations count for very little in our present circumstances. But of course, feel free to think whatever you like.

I'm unemployed at the moment and all I have to say to that slur is F*ck off arrogant ****. Not everybody who is unemployed is a scrounger.

Cirrus F,

Well said, and sorry to hear about your circumstances.

It could easily happen to almost any of us, and if it did, we'd find out how difficult it is to get another job. I had a few weeks claiming the dole in 1983, and it was utterly soul-destroying.

There seems to be an unfortunate increase in witless right wing prejudice on this board.

Too many modern Tories are unintelligent and nasty, lacking brains, empathy, and real 'class'. Proper old school Tories like Gilmour, Pym, Eden, MacMillan et al must be turning in their graves.

Eval

... and the last 3 heads of Air RP (including the current incumbent) who ensure

have all been RW mates.:}

Well said Jacko - Nice to see your warming up tothe idea of Carriers :O

Dated last Friday (although it wasn't there at 1715);
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/NewBatchOfTyphoonAircraftAnnounced.htm

The standard of writing was, as ever, remarkable:

Quote:

---

The 40 Tranche 3 aircraft will be equipped for electrical, cooling and computing power to deal with projected high-technology future updates, such as new radar and new weapons, to maintain its combat edge over predicted and emerging threats.
</SPAN>

---

Painted green, this could be quite popular around Christmas;

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/13751.../GLD082258.jpg

You make NO sense whatsoever in a single word you write about the F-35.
Industrially alone the UK has such a stake that withdrawal is unthinkable

Okay, well try this :-

Defence jobs at risk as MoD drops jump jet fighter engine - Telegraph

...and I'm sure this is just the first overture in a long saga. It smacks of a panic compromise which suggests (does it not?) that the whole programme is in danger of being dumped - kinda like I said really ;)

F-35B will continue no matter what your MoD decides. It's OK.