UK embraces AESA for Typhoon
BAE Systems and Leonardo will develop a next-generation AESA radar for installation on Eurofighter Typhoons operated by the RAF, under a £317 million ($421 million) contract from the UK MoD.
The European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) radar will replace the Euroradar Captor mechanically scanned array radar that RAF Typhoons use today.
BAE Systems and Leonardo are working on a baseline version of the AESA radar as part of a four-nation development programme, alongside Eurofighter consortium partners in Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany and Spain have also committed to deliver their own national AESA radar requirements.
The multifunctional ECRS Mk2 will give UK Typhoons a ‘game-changing’ EW capability in addition to traditional radar functions, BAE Systems claimed in a 3 September statement. New capabilities include location, identification and suppression of enemy air defences using high-powered jamming at long-distance standoff range.
Leonardo is developing the new sensor and BAE Systems, as the UK prime contractor for Typhoon, will integrate it. Both companies noted that ECRS Mk2 is also designed to meet the needs of future export customers.
The new AESA radar ‘will allow Typhoon to take its place in the future battlespace for decades to come, maturing key technologies for future combat air systems and ensuring interoperability’, noted Andrea Thompson, managing director Europe & International for BAE Systems Air.
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