Eurofighter Typhoon - How Europe's Most Advanced Fighter Jet is Built

[@huffy1949]

A superbly done look inside modern aircraft production. Thanks to both Chris and Airbus!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the support!

[@slartybartfarst55]

Fantastic that Airbus allowed this. And it was really great to actually "meet" a couple of the people working on the plane. Thank you Chris for making this happen - I can only imagine how long that Process was! 👍

[@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887]

its old tech, ive spen hours swaning around the bristol plant and the ge engine plant, nant garw, its obsolete rech with no info to be gained, adolf could walk around there and no one, would bat an eye lid, honestly!

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

I have two personal data points regarding the complexity of these planes. When I was a kid, probably mid-1960s, Monogram had a really nifty clear plastic model of the P-51D, showing fuel tanks, radios, oxygen bottles, etc, with battery powered retracting landing gear. It was amazing to me both that there was anything inside and that there was so much empty space; kids have funny views of reality, but it made me realize that there was a reason some planes could be "shot to pieces" and still make it back home. I spent 3½ years living on a carrier and watching F-4s, A-6s, A-7s, E-2s, and (I think) SH-3s being opened up and worked on, and it didn't seem like than had any spare room whatsoever, no empty spaces at all, and it made me wonder how any could even fly after being shot up. The ship was never in combat while I was onboard, but I heard plenty of stories. These were all planes developed within 20 years of that P-51 with all its empty spaces. What happened?!? Well, radar, computers, big jet engines. But it still seemed almost wrong to have no empty spaces left. So ... maybe an interesting subject would be how planes went from almost empty (WW I) to some stuff inside (WW II) to no empty space at all (1960s).

[@gui-zx3di]

As you said, radar computer etc. Even if it is broken, your plane can still fly

[@sortaspicey9278]

Ideally you want a plane to be as small as it possibly can as that's the easiest way to reduce radar signature. A smaller object is just a smaller radar signature so you could hypothetically make a plane larger to include empty space. But then you're making it heavier and a larger Target which in modern warfare is an easier Target. Not to mention that guns are rarely used in air to air combat now

[@TPWR1337]

Just to mention a few thing that are present in planes after WW2 era. Radar, IRST, RWR, Coms eg datalink, GPS, radio, electronic warfare, smart ordinance hardpoints, huge engines in comparison, much more sophisticated AC and life support, ejection seat, lot of other sensors for the fly by wire. Just the wiring for these is immense as said in the video.

[@Wilipeidia]

@@grizwoldphantasia5005 I wonder with increased digital usage whether we'll go back to more space as you don't need so much in the way of bulky mechanical parts. With batteries, computers, and so getting smaller and smaller. . . Though maybe you'd then fill the space with extra wiring for redundancy?

[@LogistiQbunnik]

@@Wilipeidia Probably not - it's more likely the internal space will be used for MORE sensors, computers etc. to give the airplane MORE capabilities.

[@JPR3D]

Props to Chris for putting in the energy and effort to get where he is now, granted audiences with this kind of stuff. Living the dream.

[@oleran4569]

It certainly is fantastic that Airbus allowed you to see, document and share sights of their assembly area! The Eurofighter Typhoon is a beautiful aircraft, both outside and in. Thank you!

[@wkelly3053]

What a jewel of a tour. I was impressed to see such young technicians with important jobs, and apparently you found a New York Yankees fan just after the 5:00 mark...the cap.🙂

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Was great talking to them, they were all trained up by Airbus and seemed really happy there. Thanks for supporting me!

[@scratchy996]

Those caps are quite popular here in Europe, most people don't know what the logo means, it just looks good, I also have one :)

[@williamkelly6718]

​@@scratchy996Well, authentic Yankees caps are blue, but that's interesting! Thanks.

[@The_ZeroLine]

I’m a tech there. My only prior experience was Instagram selfies. I’m now the senior tech for my crew.

[@adrianmartin7344]

Amazing look behind the scenes, thank you Airbus for allowing the public a peek behind the curtain.

[@bdh985]

The only criticism I have about this video was that it wasn't longer! Awesome work, as usual!

[@twiggledy5547]

I am making my Electrician apprenticeship in Bavaria right now. And wow! Could you imagine working with and learning on Eurofighters? School must be very boring after that.

[@TedSeverin]

They're looking for people if I recall correctly... ;)

[@bik3r230]

This puts into perspective why a plane needs 10 hours in the garage for 1 flight hour

[@DavyRo]

Unless it's an F-35 then it's a minimum of 32 hours of maintaing for 1 hour of flight. That's at the very least, the way the Americans fudge their figures. It will be more than likely 50 hours.

[@johnpapworth433]

Well done Airbus - line similar to the BAE one at Warton

[@cannonfodder4376]

A superb look inside modern aircraft production. They really are complex, complex machines compared to the machines of old. And as someone who only just managed to scrape on by when it came to basic electricity and electrical systems in A&P school I envy these fellow young techs who work so comfortably with kilometers of wiring. Wizards these techs are in my eye. My thanks to Chris and Airbus for the privilege of such a different look at Eurofighter.

[@ptonpc]

That is an amazing trip :) Thanks to Airbus and everyone who made it possible. Here's to more modern Eurofighters.

[@ilVice]

This video is incredible. The opportunity to see the EF production line up close, and bring us alongside you, is super exciting. As a European citizen, I really feel that different countries managed (handling difficulties and the complexity of politics) to accomplish a more than remarkable achievement.

[@vvpf2697]

Fly by wire has a totaly new meaning for me now. Thanks for an interesting documentary. 😀

[@davidwhiteley3879]

Thanks to Airbus and it's employees for making this video available. And thanks to you for the narration and good questions.

[@t.maximilianwaechter3208]

Goddamn this is awesome! So shocked you got filming permission but amazing that you did and thank you for this look behind the curtain!

[@d4r4h4n]

I visited this production line at Manching as a Aerospace Engineering student around 15 years ago. Cool to see it is still up and running!

[@stevenhill7614]

Thank you Airbus and Chris.

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you Christoph and Airbus for a great audiovisual experience. This was a true privilege, vastly superior to a network news segment. Cheers from NZ🇳🇿.

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks Chris & thanks Airbus - an excellent insight !

[@jimbosun2]

Fantastic upload. Thank you air bus for this opportunity for all of us to see the making of the typhoon. Such a bad ass work of art😎

[@jpierce2l33t]

Wow Chris this is *SO* cool!!! Thank you so much, and i bet it was such an awesome experience getting to be there in person!

[@msytdc1577]

7:59 The Japanese corn blur, that's crazy 😂

[@tendymusic9095]

It’s amazing how he went from singing weirdly with no time gaming to touring the eurofighters factory I have been a fan since the IL2 days and I love what you are going keep up the awesome work and I hope to see you feature with Bo again soon

[@rand0mn0]

Great video! Love to see this special content. Thank you Chris, and THANK YOU AIRBUS!

[@MikeSiemens88]

Enjoyed the extra emphasis on aircraft wiring. As a former Instrument Electrical Tech in the Canadian Air Force it's a subject dear to my heart. Being at the operational end repairing & testing these systems is a whole different ball game vs production. Back in the day we had to rely on simple test equipment to troubleshoot. Now everything is automated & computerized. The aircraft self-diagnoses to a large extent. I'm a bit surprised some of the wiring hasn't been replaced by fiber optics.... or maybe it has & they're not showing us haha. In the digital age of today, data transmission through fiber optics is much more efficient vs sending it through copper. They could save some weight, which is always a good thing in aircraft.

[@robertpatrick3350]

That safety hat looks like a prop from a Luc Besson film….. excellent presentation

[@ThePretender1]

Amazing video! Congrats!

[@nl59]

Amazing video. Thank you! It does make me wonder whether in a time of war, production could ever possibly be ramped up or whether those days of increased production are long gone, based on the complexity of testing and building these systems alone.

[@221b-l3t]

@@nl59 Anyone who would be enough of an enemy to require a substantial increase in production probably has nukes. Unless we send them to Ukraine but it's probably best to stick to one NATO jet with F16 and those are around in great numbers anyway.

[@HungryCats70]

Great video of the Eurofighter production facility, Chris. I had no idea how much wiring there was inside a modern aircraft-I'm amazed they're able to keep the error rate so low before they roll it out of the factory. Do you know whether the aircraft is hardened against EMP? It appeared they were using optical cables at certain points, but it would be interesting if we could get more information on how robust the aircraft is--perhaps redundant systems as well? Congratulations on getting access and glad to be a supporter!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Afaik every critical system must have at least one redundancy.

[@exploringtheplanetsn]

There is something so satisfying about seeing the insides of a complex machine, thank you Chris for the well done video.

[@andreasvulcan_gr2595]

Very well done AIRBUS!!! Very well done Chris!

[@mikemontgomery2654]

Dude! That’s pretty damn sick! I love the Eurofighter, big kudos to Airbus for making that happen.

[@bjorn2625]

Thank you for this amazing video and to the Airbus staff doing this amazing work: Thank you for helping to protect Europe.

[@rogeratygc7895]

What a fascinating glimpse into a modern fast jet, though I'm certain the most interesting stuff must remain secret. Thanks to those who made the video possible!

[@hendongooner7383]

Wow! Excellent vid Christoph and thank you Airbus for allowing access. This is the sort of video that inspires the future generations of aeronautical engineers and apprentices. More please.

[@rkc62]

This is freakin awesome. Well done to Airbus and Chris for this - really insightful stuff.

[@Cydonius1701]

Absolutely awesome work! Thank you very much for all the time and effort it took to arrange this, it's very cool to gt this level of insight into this fighter. Many thanks to Airbus too for deciding that the benefit from sharing this kind of insight outweighed the pain of having someone go through all your footage to work out what had to be censored out. Lastly on a personal note, I really enjoyed hearing you speak German 😊. Maybe it's an odd thing to comment on but I've always liked hearing people speak their mother tongue after getting to know them in English, and it also helps with the Fernweh from moving back to the UK after 5 years in Cologne!

[@dalehill6127]

This is a great video, many thanks! 😊 Here is another small English point. We have 3 homophones: "peak", "peek", and "pique". You wanted the second one for the "...sneak peEk..." and not the first one. The dictionary is our friend.😊

[@meertenwelleman4600]

I've written this many times before, you keep coming with these terrific reports of the aviation world.

[@ArnoldVeeman]

Really awesome! I have been in a Fokker plant where they assembled the F-16 for the Netherlands a really long time ago. It’s nice to see this more modern setup. Thank you for sharing this! ❤

[@paulwood6729]

Surely this is unprecedented? What an incredible experience to share with us.

[@denniskrenz2080]

Congratulations to you for getting this chance and using it well. 👍 Really a great video of such a facility, not something you see every day here.

[@chrisd2646]

Very cool video, Chris! You know you're well regarded when Airbus allows you to produce content like this!

[@luuk341]

Reaaaaaallly cool that Airbus let you make this wicked video

[@dersebbler9452]

Thank you for this amazing tour Airbus and Chris. Its very rare to get such acces. Through my studies i could visit some civil Airbus production facilities, and also some military. But never the Eurofighter. Would love to work there when im done.

[@robertsmith4681]

I could not get past the irony that the "Safety hat" they gave you is basically a ww1 Pickelhaube ....

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Neat stuff! I'm a little surprised that you had to blur the electrical connectors. Most connectors just have fairly generic 22 ga contacts or something similar. Perhaps one of your viewers can comment on whether there are special contacts that indicate some special function or performance? In my day, there was a special tri-axial contact for the 1553 bus, but that's the only example I know of. Maybe something for fiber optics nowadays? Any chance of additional episodes showing the production process? It would be fun to see the engines get installed, initial checks of the hydraulics, first engine run-up, etc.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

For future episodes, I don’t know. This was a huge project for me, Josh and Airbus, so we will see. But I’d be super interested to see how other companies do it, to compare!

[@MarktheRude]

I don't imagine that there would be anything too special about them. It should be kept in mind that this video did likely go through Airbus PR/marketing department for censorship and not through engineers, so I wouldn't be surprised that some off the shelf components get censored just because it looks bit exotic to the eyes of PR people, despite being quite rather boring and mundane, like some fiber optic connector/interface.

[@hangie65]

Many thanks go to you for the great tour of and insight on the Eurofighter factory and for Eurofighter GmbH for making it happen. Keep up the good work.

[@henrikerdland578]

Thanks Chris for the effort to let this video happen. Thanks to Airbus for let us inside there assembly line. Looking forward for the next video about cockpit digitalisation.

[@davydatwood3158]

Very cool. AS this started I figured there's be some details blurred out, but some things - like the actual structure of the connector - surprised me. One never knows what's going to be important, right?

[@AW-Services]

Wow, what an incredible and informative video. These jets are amazing and so important. We are so lucky to have our British RAF & German Luftwaffe QRA teams based in Tallinn Estonia. Loved this insight, Danke

[@Breznak]

What an achievement! This was great. I understand why it wasn't possible, but I would gladly watch an hour (or two) long documetary which would go to more depth. Thanks Chris and Airbusu!

[@clivereid]

Really enjoyed this, thank-you. Also it'll give me an even greater appreciation for what all of these components are going through when I see them performing at RIAT tomorrow!

[@florentin-petrusandu4422]

Thanks!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thanks very much!

[@_Saracen_]

Very cool, thanks Airbus and Chris!

[@prillewitz]

Very interesting! Worked at Fokker at Schiphol Oost a long long time ago. I was so proud when the complete airplane was testing it engines at the platform! ❤

[@jeffjones4135]

Great video. Thanks to Airbus for letting you have access.

[@saintuk70]

Awesome insight.

[@Remie1529]

Great video, very interesting!

[@frederickwoof5785]

Interesting. I was partly involved in manufacture of some parts over the years. Nice to see it being built.

[@davedavedave52]

Es freut mich wieder Bayrisch anzuhören

[@MrHws5mp]

Nice one Chris - takes me back to the days when I used to work at Woodford (Avro RJ & Nimrod MRA.4(RIP)) Interesting how much stuff was blurred out: especially that they blurred the ends of a connector when it was parted. Wonder what could be deduced from seeing the pins? (If anybody knows, DON'T tell: this stuff is secret for a reason!)

[@ovidiu2785]

"Europe's Most Advanced Fighter", "only one other can supercruise ". Angry Rafale noises.

[@andreasr3828]

Großartiges Video! Danke @ ......

[@MrDowntemp0]

Amazing content. Wild how many cables there are in there. Would've expected it to be at least a little simpler with ribbon cables or something to reduce the overall amount of connections

[@richardvernon317]

Most aircraft cables are shielded. There in the centre cable that carries the signal or power. An insulator and then an earthing braid around it with a outer insulator. The central cable goes pin in an insulator that holds all of the pins on the plug together which is surrounded by metal shell at both ends . All of the Shielding for the cables in that loom is connected to the metal shell of the plugs. The cable loom can run from all over the aircraft with connections from one plug on one unit going to other plugs on units all over the aircraft. All cables are labelled with their identifiers If a cable gets nicked or damaged, a special tool allows the pins to be removed from the plug and a new cable can be fitted to the loom. The Shielding does two things, reduces interference from other signals and shields from the effects of EMP. If the cables have to go through pressure bulkheads, there is a plug / socket connection built into the bulkhead which has cables connected both sides. These things are not cars or home computers, they have to work reliably for 25 years or more.

[@andrewsnow7386]

It's interesting to see what they are concerned about showing. I might have thought they would be worried about showing exactly where some of the systems, wiring, and hydraulics are located. Nope, it's the details of a humble electrical connector that they blur out (8:01). It's hard to imagine what is sensitive about connector pins, insulator, seals, etc. But what do I know -- obviously not what the inside of the connector looks like.🙃

[@IcthioVelocipede]

Yeah, I thought it was interesting the electrical connector is considered a secret. Presumably the reason why it's a secret is also a secret, so we'll probably never know?

[@mro9466]

Patrick Bateman: Impressive, very nice. Now let's see _How Dassault Most Advanced Fighter Jet is Built_

[@DavyRo]

@@mro9466 😂🤣😂 OK keep on believing that they have different strengths & weakness. For example can you tell me the difference between the Duetch/Italian version to the British version? I'll give you a clue the British have been developing the new Tempest fighter. It trials parts including a major component for that fighter in the Eurofighter. The British version has had this upgrade included in its aircraft for 2 years now. The others are just starting to draw up plans on the drawing board for improving this component.

[@anonaustria9867]

Incredible how much they let you film (also interesting that their most closely guarded secret appears to be what connectors they use). Props the Airbus on that

[@FrantisekPicifuk]

Fabulous, one of a kind, never before seen content. You have outdone yourself.

[@Gambler11111965]

Thanks to you and Airbus

[@ronboe6325]

Oh man, what a hoot to be able do that - thanks for to all for sharing.

[@2Phast4Rocket]

I am surprised the wire loom wasn’t preassemble before it was mounted onto the airframe

[@LogistiQbunnik]

Amazing video, great to see this.

[@chipledhungaman]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@virgo47]

Fantastic video, thanks for it, thanks to Airbus as well... I love Eurofighter.

[@delfimmarques5014]

Great video, thanks Airbus !

[@brunomadeira8432]

Your videos are always great but this one is one of the best ever. Awesome stuff.

[@tiemji]

Thanks for sharing. Really interesting

[@bartonstano9327]

Smart move by AIRBUS to allow Milt. Av. History to do this video. Good look at what the tax dollars are buying. I live near Fr. Worth where the F35 is assembled, they allow some people to come in an film to get the US public a idea of what all those tax dollars are buying.

[@Bigcountry_littlelegs]

Great video mate keep up the great work

[@mortenlundberg199]

Fantastic stuff!! - thank You very much!!!!

[@biggierat6246]

THANKS. Great Job.

[@stephenkeeffe4940]

That was an outstanding video. Many thanks.

[@donaldwiller9238]

Amazing video Great information 👍

[@kriscerosaurus]

This was cool to see!

[@BerndFelsche]

Good of you and Airbus to find workers who can speak German. And not just Bavarian. 😊

[@scotthaddad563]

Wow. That’s a lot of wires. With my memory, I could never work on one of these planes because I wouldn’t remember where to put those wires. Thankfully there are folks who can. Very interesting!

[@cladglas]

Nobody expects the Military Aviation History inquisition!

[@bik3r230]

This is awsome big thanks to airbus and all invokved its crazy the complexity of these planes and i can only immagine now what the f35 for f22 looks like inside bust be a total cable fest

[@homebase5934]

You should be walking in the marked walkways Chris. It's unsafe to walk in the forklift lanes. Would of thought Airbus would have drilled workplace safety to you before you entered the factory. /s I really enjoyed this video and the interviews with the 2 Airbus employees. Thanks Chris and Airbus from down under in the land of Oz.

[@MultiZirkon]

And I thought it was weird that the cables on the Me 262 had the same color. ....Welcome to the Eurofighter cabling!

[@shaider1982]

Well, Messerschmit and other ww2 german aero companies, through numerous mergers, are part of Airbus.

[@NikCan66]

Brilliant insights

[@schooljs1]

Great video.

[@spartan_pilot]

Great video! Must have a taken a lot of effort to organise this visit. I hope the designers of the future cockpit take pilot feedback into consideration. There is a lot to be said for still having buttons/controls that use tactile feedback/different shapes etc because under G, at night and when it’s busy, using these becomes essential and needs to be based on muscle memory, without the need to look in so much. That’s why, although a big screen is good, it needs to still factor this in, and for example, will it work with gloves?? A pilot driven/centred design project is the only answer for success.

[@kenmcvie6350]

Well done Airbus for letting this into our living rooms!!

[@Pincer88]

Thank you very much for this one off opportunity, Airbus and Chris! I have three questions for Airbus: 1. will the Typhoon eventually have conformal fuel tanks? 2. has Airbus considered/does Airbus consider testing divertless (supersonic) air intakes? 3. I recall an issue of Flug Revue quite some years ago in which a thrust vectoring version of the EJ-200 engines were tested. It was - if I remember correctly - stated, that it wasn't to achieve super/post stall maneuverability but to achieve higher responsiveness at higher altitudes while reducing rudder/aileron movement (for improved preservation of speed/energy while maneuvering). I've never seen or heard form that ever since. Has tested been concluded and if so, might a thrust vectoring EJ-200 be on offer for future upgrades?

[@henricloclo1598]

“Europe’s most advanced fighter” there’s a flying bird in Bordeaux that might disagree. Good video though !

[@DCrypt1]

Less kinetic performamce though because of all its electronics and EW. The Rafale is beautiful looking though for sure.

[@jan-eric-schacht]

Great to get this insights