Leonardo has delivered the first prototype European Common Radar System Mk2 (ECRS Mk2), which the company claims is the world’s most capable active electronically scanned-array (AESA) fighter radar, to BAE Systems for integration onto the Eurofighter Typhoon, the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation announced on 21 April 2023.
The prototype arrived at BAE’s flight-testing facility at Warton in Lancashire on 31 March from Edinburgh, where it was developed and manufactured by Leonardo UK, DE&S noted. It will now undergo integration work and ground-based testing in preparation for first flights on a Typhoon in 2024.
The development of the ECRS Mk2 radar is taking place under a GBP 2.35 Bn (EUR 2.65 Bn) investment that integrates the new radar onto Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons via a Phased 4 Enhancement programme being taken forward with Germany, Italy and Spain.
The ECRS Mk2 features an innovative multi-functional array (MFA) that can perform both traditional radar functions such as search and targeting, as well as electronic warfare (EW) tasks. It is understood to feature greater sensitivity than other AESA fighter radars, giving unparalleled passive detection at a very long range and allowing the Typhoon to detect and attack enemy aircraft while remaining outside their engagement range.
The ECRS Mk2’s EW capability, meanwhile, will allow it to locate and deny the use of an adversary’s radar with a powerful electronic jamming attack while staying beyond the reach of threats.
“This delivery marks the next major step towards securing Typhoon’s place in the future battlespace, ensuring that the UK retains the freedom to deliver air power wherever and whenever it is needed,” Mark Stead, senior vice president for radar and advanced targeting at Leonardo UK, was quoted by the company as saying.
“The ECRS Mk2 will equip RAF pilots with the ability to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defences: a powerful combination of capabilities that will increase the Eurofighter Typhoon’s lethality and survivability, and the survivability of other friendly forces.”
Group Captain Mat D’Aubyn, the RAF’s Air Capability Typhoon Programme Director, was quoted by DE&S as saying: “The new radar is eagerly anticipated as it will further enhance the superb capabilities of Typhoon and keep it at the leading edge of combat air for years to come.”
With a view to the Italian Air Force’s potential future adoption of the ECRS Mk2, Leonardo in Italy is also contributing to the radar’s development, with engineers from Leonardo’s Nerviano, Milan-based radar site having joined the team in Edinburgh. This collaboration, Leonardo explained, will enable acquiring system design capabilities that will ensure that the Italian Ministry of Defence has sovereign control over the new radar system at every stage of its operational life.
Technology from the ECRS Mk2 will also feed into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to develop a sixth-generation fighter, in which the UK and Italy are partners along with Japan.
Peter Felstead
