In 1982 British Aerospace began development of what was then called ACA
(Agile Combat Aircraft), a fighter technology demonstrator, originally
privately funded, although it later attracted some assistance from the
British government.  The single aircraft first flew on 8 August 1986, by
which time it had been redesignated EAP (Experimental Aircraft Programme).
Meanwhile, in December 1983, the air forces of France, Germany (then West
Germany), Italy, Spain, and the UK announced a programme for the
development of a next generation combat aircraft, designated FEFA (Future
European Fighter Aircraft), based largely on the EAP demonstrator, and on
similar work done by MBB (now part of DASA) in Germany, under the
designation JF-90 (a research project rather than an actual aircraft).

FEFA was originally intended to enter service with all five countries in
the mid-1990s.  From the beginning the programme was dogged by political,
commercial, technological, and military infighting (leading _Flight
International_ columnist Roger Bacon to suggest that the acronym actually
stood for Five Europeans Farting Around).  Disagreement over the size of
the aircraft and the production schedule led France to withdraw from the
programme in July 1985 (France wanted a smaller aircraft, and postponement
of production to avoid competing with Dassault's Mirage 2000).  In June
1986 Eurofighter GmbH was formed to manage what was now the EFA (European
Fighter Aircraft) programme, with participation by British Aerospace (33%),
MBB (now DASA, 33%), Aeritalia (now Alenia, 21%), and CASA (13%).

The aircraft is now known as the Eurofighter 2000; a proper name is
expected to be assigned eventually.  The first flight was made on 27 March
1994; production delivery is expected to begin in 2000.  Orders are 250 for
the UK (but they're considering an increase to 350), 165 for Italy, 100 for
Spain, and probably about 100-120 for Germany (who originally wanted 140
but are expected to reduce their order).

BAe and Rolls-Royce have proposed a future version with VTOL capability.

Vital statistics (Eurofighter 2000):  length 14.50 m, span 10.50 m, empty
weight 9750 kg, max weight 17000 kg, max speed 1912 km/h (Mach 1.8), ferry
range 1112 km; power plant:  two 90.00 kN augmented turbofans; armament:
27mm cannon, AAM rail on each wingtip, 11 hardpoints; max external load
6500 kg.