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BELFAST — BAE Systems and Leonardo UK have fitted an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to a Eurofighter Typhoon fourth generation fighter jet for the first time, in preparation for maiden flight of the system later this year.
In statements today, the two companies said the European Common Radar System (ECRS), Mark 2 (Mk2) prototype, which features a multi-functional array (MFA) for search and tracking and electronic warfare functions, was installed on BS116, a UK test and evaluation Typhoon jet, by BAE System and Leonardo UK engineers at the former company’s Warton production facility in northern England.
The prototype’s installation follows months of ground tests “in a unique facility” at the Warton site, added the manufacturers.
They said that the radar will be “able to locate and deny use of an adversary’s radar with a powerful electronic jamming attack, whilst staying beyond the reach of threats.”
Ross Wilson, Vice President of Engineering, Radar and Advanced Targeting at Leonardo UK, said that alongside the prototype radar integration work, “ECRS Mk2 production design has also been progressing apace.”
He added that the radar’s processor, receiver, and antenna power supply and control units have “all been re-engineered to further enhance the capacity, capability, and performance of the Mk2 system in alignment with the new antenna and electronic warfare capability.”
Newer production designs “have all passed their critical design review phases, keeping the production programme on schedule,” explained Wilson.
Andy Holden, Radar Delivery Director at BAE Systems’ Air, said that the company expects first flight of ECRS Mk2 on Typhoon to happen “this year” and the event “will allow us to validate the results of ground-based testing.”
Next steps of the program will see the radar immediately undergoing further integration work before first flight.
The ECRS Mk 2 radar program falls under a wider £2.35 billion ($2.97 billion) Eurofighter upgrade announced by the UK in 2022. The system is expected to enter service with Royal Air Force frontline Typhoons in 2030.
London plans on retiring older Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 jets next year, as declared in the Defence Command Paper of 2021. At the time, the UK cited a need to dispose of aircraft with “limited utility in the digital and future operating environment” [PDF] as motivation for axing the jets.
The RAF operates Tranche 1, 2 and 3 configurations of the aircraft.
The UK is one of four European nations that develops and produces the jet alongside Germany, Italy and Spain.
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