Eurofighter Typhoon electronic combat aircraft set to replace German Tornadoes
Germany will introduce Eurofighter EKs to replace its Tornado ECRs. (Photo: Airbus)
Germany is set to replace its Tornado electronic combat/reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft with Eurofighter Typhoon Elektronischer Kampf (EK) for the task of suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) following parliamentary approval by the Budget Committee.
The Typhoons will be fitted with Saab’s Arexis Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, a missionised pod, and the supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile Northrop Grumman/MBDA's AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM).
The Eurofighter EK will be NATO-certified by 2030 and will then replace the Tornado in the SEAD role.
A corresponding contract between Eurofighter GmbH, as prime contractor, and NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) has been expected to be signed before the end of the year and Airbus will receive an official order to integrate the selected technical solutions into the Eurofighter.
Airbus has been working with the BAAINBw procurement office, the German Air Force and the Bundeswehr Aviation Office on a detailed schedule for the implementation of the selected EK solutions in 15 Eurofighters.
Arexis, an electronic counter-measure, ISR and radar warning receiver concept, was developed by Saab to support fighter aircraft requirements by providing situational awareness for self-protection through its RWR. It features an advanced electronic attack application and a version will be installed onboard the new version of the Gripen E/F. The first flight was in November 2019.
The core technologies in Arexis are ultra-wideband digital receivers and digital radio frequency memory devices, gallium nitride (GaN) solid state active electronically scanned array (AESA) jammer transmitters and interferometric direction-finding systems.
Germany decided in March 2022 that it would buy Eurofighter electronic combat role aircraft, a change from the previous government which proposed buying Boeing E/A-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Jamming and Escort Electronic Attack Aircraft (luWES) [Germany]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability moves ahead with development contracts
The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme is a transnational effort across NATO to replace a range of helicopters which are expected to begin retiring from the mid-2030s.
-
Raytheon strikes deal with new rocket motor maker to secure supply chain
Raytheon has seen increased demand for its missiles in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war where Kyiv has been using air-to-air missiles for ground-based air-defence.
-
European Common Radar System Mk2 begins ground-testing in UK
BAE Systems hopes to work out any issues before the radar is sent for flight testing.
-
Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker
The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.
-
Teledyne FLIR promotes ITAR-free Star SAFIRE imaging payload at FIA
The Ultraforce 380-HDc, launched at Farnborough International Airshow, builds on Teledyne FLIR’s successful Star SAFIRE family of systems and is aimed at both the military and security markets.
-
Dutch and Austrian governments collaborate on Embraer C-390 acquisition at Farnborough
The two nations will split the acquisition of the C-390s to boost their airlift capacities.