A Eurofighter Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft equipped with a ECRS Mk 2 prototype radar departs BAE Systems' Warton Aerodrome on its first flight. (BAE Systems)
BAE Systems and its programme partners have flown the Leonardo European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk 2 aboard a Eurofighter Typhoon testbed aircraft.
The milestone saw Eurofighter test aircraft ZK355/BS116 fly the new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar (also known as an electronically scanned [E-Scan] radar) out of the prime contractor's Warton production facility in England on 27 September.
“The first flight follows a programme of integration through ground-based testing delivered by a successful collaboration between the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), Defence Equipment and Support, the RAF [Royal Air Force], and industry,” BAE Systems said.
The RAF is to equip its 40 Tranche 3-standard Typhoons with the ECRS Mk 2, which is the UK-specific version of a series of AESA/E-Scan radars being developed for the partner and export customers of the Eurofighter.
The radar is billed as offering a significant capability leap, particularly in the field of electronic warfare (EW) and electronic attack (EA).
With Eurofighter test aircraft ZK355/BS116 now equipped with the new radar and flying trials out of Warton, more aircraft will be added to the flight-test programme as it progresses. Initial operating capability (IOC) is slated for 2030, which is defined as being “a robust capability” capable of going to war.
For more information on the ECRS radar series, please seeSpecial Report: BAE Systems prepares for first flight milestones for enhanced Typhoon .
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