Defense technology major Leonardo has delivered a prototype ECRS Mk2 (European Common Radar System Mk2) to BAE Systems for first trials on the Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters.
Italy-based Leonardo is developing the ECRS Mk2 in Edinburgh, the UK’s home of combat air radar, and Luton, where the company conducts electronic warfare research, development and production.
The radar will now undergo integration work and ground-based testing in preparation for its first flight tests on-board the Eurofighter Typhoon next year. This will take place at BAE Systems’ flight-testing facility in Lancashire, United Kingdom.
ECRS Mk 2 will further transform the Eurofighter Typhoon’s control of the air with electronic warfare capability which will allow the aircraft to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.
Based on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, the new radar will replace the mechanically-scanning radar that RAF Typhoons are currently equipped with.
The radar will now undergo integration work and ground-based testing in preparation for first flights on-board the Eurofighter Typhoon next year.
The development of the ECRS Mk2 radar is taking place under a £2.35 billion investment that integrates the new radar onto Typhoon via a Phased 4 Enhancement program being taken forward with Germany, Italy and Spain.
“The ECRS Mk2 radar is one of a number of key capabilities which we are integrating to secure Typhoon’s as the backbone of air defense across the globe for decades to come. Together with enhanced mission systems, advanced sensors, weapons and displays, we are delivering a sovereign capability which will keep RAF pilots safe and ensure the UK has the skills to continue to mature key technologies which support its future combat air ambitions,” Richard Hamilton, Typhoon program director at BAE Systems Air, said.
