The International Weapon System Support System (IWSSS) is made up of an International Weapon System Support Centre (IWSSC), with a series of National Support Centres (NSCs), based locally to support individual air force's needs.

The map below pinpoints the locations of NCS, existing and proposed. At the heart of this network is the IWSSC, based in Germany. Customers know they don't just buy the aircraft, but a lifetime of client-led support services.

To minimise the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System's Life Cycle Cost (LCC) over a minimum in-service life of 25 years/6,000 Flying Hours (FH) per aircraft, the Air Staffs of the Air Forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom required:

'Performance, reliability, maintainability, flight safety and timescales to be given equal priority during all phases of the Programme.'

They also required Eurofighter Typhoon to show significant improvements in availability, mission effectiveness and operating costs, in comparison with previous combat aircraft. All these factors combine to make Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) aspects a priority.

An estimated 5,000 man-years of combined effort from the four industrial partners and the customers' air forces have developed from the outset a support system that meets the demanding requirements of the modern air force.

Eurofighter Typhoon has been designed for ease of support over its full service life, and will deliver high operational availability together with low cost of ownership.

Click on a title on the left for more information on aspects of Eurofighter Typhoon's Logistic support

Extensive Built In Test (BIT) capability and high reliability, together with a low requirement for scheduled maintenance, lead to less than half the Maintenance Man Hours (MMH) required by current, in-service comparable front line aircraft.

High Inherent Reliability and Maintainability, and genuine swing-role capability result in a consistently high level of operational readiness, rapid turnround times and ease of deployment.

Life cycle costs are minimised through the implementation of a cost effective support solution and the ability to tailor support to specific customer needs.

Eurofighter Typhoon has been designed to be easily deployable, achieved cost effectively through a reduced requirement for Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Automatic Test Equipments (ATEs).