Tekdata fulfils exacting Eurofighter Typhoon test project

To complete the 10 individual test benches, Tekdata has supplied a total of 33 19-inch, full height racks containing dense wiring with around 60,000 terminations and using 40 different styles and sizes of predominantly shielded wire. The assembled test benches were initially delivered to Tekdata’s customer, BAE Systems, and are now being integrated in the complete test suite before delivery to the aircraft constructor.

“We are pleased to announce successful completion of this project, which represents a significant achievement in terms of engineering and logistics,” said Roger Brown of Tekdata Interconnections. “Having our new, purpose-built premises, which we moved into earlier in 2009, has been a decisive factor helping us to succeed in projects of this size and complexity.”

The Spanish Air Force has ordered 87 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, which are assembled in Spain. The factory where the work is taking place, in Getafe, builds around 12 aircraft per year for delivery to the Spanish Air Force. BAE also supplies assembled components to Typhoon partners across Europe. Other air forces have ordered the Eurofighter Typhoon, and each programme requires a custom test suite catering for the individual systems and weapons specified.

In addition to meeting the requirements set out by BAE Systems and the constructor EADS-CASA to test avionics for the Spanish Air Force, the test benches supplied by Tekdata were also required to be fully CE marked meeting minimum EMC specifications. Tekdata’s experience of high-performance wiring helped to meet the demands of all applicable CE and military standards. The project was regularly audited by visiting experts from BAE Systems, and was recognised as satisfying all criteria on each occasion.