Germany and UK suspend Eurofighter operations due to potential ejector seat issues

Citing problems in one of the components of the seat ejection system, the Luftwaffe decided to preemptively suspend part of its fleet until the operational safety of the pilots is verified.

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As reported by Thomas Wiegold, a German Air Force spokesman confirmed today that Eurofighters not involved in active protective roles on the European eastern flank and not part of the Wittmund-based QRA – Quick Reaction Alert (QRA North), Neuburg – Donau (QRA South) and with alternatives in Nörvenich and Rostock-Laage, will be grounded because «there is no certainty about the functioning of the pyrotechnic cartridges» in the seats installed in the aircraft.

Initially the suspension affected the Panavia Tornadoes, but they were reinstated after verifying that the aircraft’s input batch was not affected because they belong to a different production line than the Eurofighter.

The measure was followed shortly afterwards by the Royal Air Force, which announced the suspension of «non-essential» operations of its Eurofighter and BAE Hawk aircraft. As an immediate consequence, the Red Arrows flyover scheduled for the closing of the Farnborough Airshow was cancelled.

We have been notified of a technical issue which may affect the safe operation of our ejector seats in Typhoon and @rafredarrows aircraft. We have paused non-essential flying as a temporary safety precaution until the situation is better understood. pic.twitter.com/iDqOqnw88w

— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 22, 2022

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Both the Panavia Tornado and BAE Hawk use the Martin-Baker MK.10 seat, while the Eurofighter carries the MB MK.16A. While, as noted, the Tornados were released for return to active service, for the time being the RAF grounded the Hawks until revisions are completed.

Although it was mentioned in some reports that the Spanish Air Force would have taken a similar measure, at the time of going to press there was no official confirmation. An analogous situation is experienced by the Italian Aeronautica Militare, fourth operator of the Eurofighter Typhoon.