RAF Eurofighter Typhoon Ready to be Equipped with Advanced “ECRS Mk2” AESA Radar
The state-of-the-art ECRS Mk2 radar, an evolution of the Captor-E system and an upgrade from ECRS Mk1, offers enhanced surveillance capabilities, improved air target tracking, and advanced electronic warfare functionality.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The first Eurofighter Typhoon equipped with the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 is now ready for its maiden flight tests.
According to a recent statement by the British government, the advanced radar, co-developed by BAE Systems and Leonardo, plays a pivotal role in the development program for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
The flight test of the first Eurofighter Typhoon fitted with this cutting-edge radar is expected to take place soon.
UK Minister for Defence Procurement, Maria Eagle, announced that ground tests for the Eurofighter Typhoon prototype equipped with the advanced radar have been successfully completed, paving the way for the scheduled flight tests.
The state-of-the-art ECRS Mk2 radar, an evolution of the Captor-E system and an upgrade from ECRS Mk1, offers enhanced surveillance capabilities, improved air target tracking, and advanced electronic warfare functionality.
This, in turn, strengthens efforts to safeguard the UK’s airspace sovereignty.
The next-generation ECRS Mk2 radar underwent a Critical Design Review in June 2024 and has been tested to ensure its compatibility with the Eurofighter Typhoon systems.
With the new radar, the Eurofighter Typhoon will benefit from unique capabilities to counter enemy air defense systems and operate in hostile airspace saturated with electromagnetic threats.
Additionally, the advanced ECRS Mk2 radar will significantly improve the aircraft’s air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, expanding its operational spectrum.
The ECRS Mk2, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, is touted by British military observers as the most powerful radar of its kind in the world.
The integration of the ECRS Mk2 radar is part of a broader £2.35 billion (RM12.3 billion) upgrade program for RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.
The radar is being developed by Leonardo UK in Edinburgh and Luton, with BAE Systems responsible for integrating it into the Typhoon at their Warton facility.
The RAF plans to equip all 40 Typhoon Tranche 3 aircraft with the ECRS Mk2 radar, with potential plans to upgrade Tranche 2 Typhoons with similar high-performance AESA radar systems.
The enhancement program for RAF’s Typhoon fleet is expected to create approximately 1,300 jobs across the UK.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is developed by a consortium of four European nations: the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Italy. — DSA
