This is the timeline of the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon, a multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, Eurofighter GmbH, formed in 1983. 1970s 1972 Royal Air Force (RAF) issues Air Staff Target 396 (AST-396), a requirement for a STOVL aircraft to replace the Harrier and Jaguar fleets. AST-403, specification revised for an air superiority fighter. STOVL requirement dropped and AST-409 lead to the development of Harrier GR5. Mid-1970s France, Germany and the UK initiate the European Combat Aircraft (ECA) programme. 1979 Following differing requirements (particularly French requirement for carrier compatibility,) BAe and MBB propose the European Combat Fighter (ECF) 1980s 1981 Development of different national prototypes and continued differences over specification lead to cancellation of ECF programme. Panavia partners (Germany, Italy and UK) launch Agile Combat Aircraft (ACA) programme. Following failure of Germany and Italy to fund development the UK MoD pays £80m prototype, the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP). 1983 May - contract for production of EAP prototype signed. The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain launch Future European Fighter Aircraft (F/EFA) programme. Aircraft to have short take off and landing (STOL) and beyond visual range (BVR) capabilities. 1984 France reiterates requirement for carrier capable version. The UK, Germany and Italy opt out and establish new EFA programme. 1985 France officially withdraws, commences ACX project. 27 October - EAP demonstrator rolled out at BAe Warton. 1986 June - Eurofighter GmbH established. 8 August - EAP makes its first flight, piloted by David Eagles. Configuration closely matches final Eurofighter design. Rolls-Royce, MTU Aero Engines, FiatAvio (now Avio) and ITP form EuroJet Turbo GmbH for development of EJ200. 1988 23 November - contracts signed for production of demonstrator engines and airframes. 1990s 1990 EuroRADAR formed for development of ECR-90 (CAPTOR) radar. 1991 1 May - last flight of EAP demonstrator. 1992 EuroDASS formed for development of defensive aids sub system (DASS.) Initially only UK and Italy participate. When Eurofighter enters service only RAF aircraft will exploit all capabilities of DASS. July - Germany announces intention to withdraw from the DASS element. Negotiations begin to reduce costs. As a single engine aircraft is ruled out Germany decides to fit cheaper systems, e.g., F/A-18's APG-65 in place of ECR-90, and delay its service entry by two years. Germany eventually participates in all systems. December - renamed Eurofighter 2000. 1994 27 March - maiden flight of first development aircraft,