A Eurofighter Typhoon with a Captor-E radar displayed in the open nose. (Hensoldt)
On 14 January Leonardo announced that it had signed a EUR260 million (USD297 million) contract with Hensoldt to contribute towards the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk1 E-scan radar ordered by Germany and Spain.
Leonardo has been contracted to conduct development work on new wideband capabilities and provide core antenna, processor, and antenna power supply and control (APSC) components. Hensoldt is the design authority for the ECRS Mk1 (also known as ‘Radar 1') and will assume leadership of the project, while Airbus Defence and Space will integrate the radar onto the Eurofighter Typhoon. The first ECRS Mk1 radar is expected to be produced in 2025.
Meanwhile, Leonardo is the design authority for the Italian and UK-led ECRS Mk2 (‘Radar 2') and ECRS Mk0 (‘Radar 0'), the latter of which has been integrated onto Kuwait's and Qatar's Typhoon aircraft. Radar 0 will also form the basis of the design for Radar 1.
According to the company, “The German and Spanish ECRS Mk1 radar introduces a digital multi-channel receiver and new wideband transmit receive modules, enhancing ECRS Mk0 capability.” Leonardo's development work on the wideband capabilities for the ECRS Mk1 radar will help to better exploit the new receiver and transmit receive modules, helping to boost the radars detection range and accuracy.
The company intends to deliver the capabilities for the ECRS Mk1 from its sites in Nerviano, Edinburgh, Campi Bisenzio, and Palermo.
Leonardo has entered into a partnership with BAE Systems to lead the design of the ECRS Mk2 radar. The new variant will feature a multifunction array. The project is being funded by the United Kingdom and is being supported by Italy.
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