Eurofighter and NATO’s Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) have formalized a contract to develop, test, and certify an Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) for the Eurofighter Typhoon, marking a major step in the platform’s long-term modernization.
The AMK will enable faster certification and integration of new weapons and external stores, strengthening the aircraft’s combat performance. Eurofighter said the upgrade will facilitate future integration of anti-radiation missiles, supporting suppression and destruction of enemy air defense radar systems.
For core operator nations, the AMK configuration will also enable integration of advanced air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons, as well as next-generation standoff missiles as they become available.
The German Air Force plans to integrate the Taurus Neo long-range cruise missile and the GBU-54 Laser JDAM onto its Eurofighter fleet by 2028. Meanwhile, the Eurofighter EK electronic attack/SEAD variant is scheduled to integrate the AGM-88E anti-radiation missile, with operational readiness expected between 2029 and 2030.
Industrial and Technical Development
The AMK will be jointly developed and produced by Eurofighter partner companies Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industrial and technological base.
AMK Technical Enhancements
The modification package includes leading-edge root extensions, extended fuselage strakes, and enlarged flaperons, supported by flight control and avionics software upgrades. These enhancements improve close-range combat performance, especially in high-agility, low-speed engagements.
The AMK increases maximum wing lift by around 25 percent, enabling tighter turns, higher turn rates, and improved low-speed nose authority for faster weapon employment. Flight trials have demonstrated substantial performance improvements, including up to 45 percent higher angle-of-attack limits, up to 100 percent higher roll rates, and increased maximum take-off weight by several hundred kilograms, improving payload capacity and mission flexibility.
Eurofighter confirmed that the enhancements preserve the Typhoon’s full flight envelope, maneuverability, and survivability.
