A £ 317 million contract to develop the next generation of radar for the Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon will support hundreds of jobs and help develop technologies for the UK's next generation fighter aircraft system (UK's Future Combat Air System).
BAE Systems and Leonardo have been awarded a contract to develop the European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) electronic scanning radar (AESA), to a standard ready to be integrated on RAF Typhoons.
The contract will secure over 600 highly skilled jobs across the country, including more than 300 at the Leonardo site in Edinburgh, over 100 defense electronics specialists at the Luton group site, and 120 engineers at the Lancashire BAE Systems plant. .
The ECRS2 MK2 radar is equipped with a multi-functional antenna (MFA) which will give UK Typhoons superior electronic attack capability, in addition to traditional radar functions including broadband electronic attack capability.
This will allow RAF pilots to locate, identify and neutralize enemy air defenses using powerful jamming. They will be able to engage targets beyond the range of the threat - even when they are looking in another direction - and operate within range of the opposing air defenses, remaining fully protected.
This revolutionary capability will replace the mechanically scanning radars that RAF Typhoons are currently equipped with and will ensure the UK maintains autonomy in air power wherever and whenever needed. Additionally, it will allow the Typhoon to interoperate with future data-driven weapon systems to combat rapidly evolving air defenses, ensuring British Typhoons continue to dominate the battlefield for years to come.
Andrea Thompson, Managing Director Europe & International, BAE Systems Air sector, said: “This capability will allow Typhoon to play its role in future air combat scenarios for decades to come, while helping to develop key technologies for future systems. combat aircraft and ensuring their interoperability.
Furthermore, by securing high-profile jobs, it will support the key capabilities needed to keep the UK at the forefront of the global air combat industry. We will continue to work with the countries participating in the Eurofighter program and with our industrial partners to ensure that the Typhoon meets today's needs and tomorrow's challenges ”.
Mark Hamilton, Senior Vice President Electronic Warfare, Leonardo commented: “This contract is great news for the UK, which will have the most powerful radar in the world for a fighter, and great news for British engineers too. Designing, developing and building advanced technology in the UK will allow us to understand and respond to the specifications of our Armed Forces and to ensure export orders anywhere in the world, strengthening the entire economy of the country ".
The new radar will be based on electronic scanning technology (AESA) and will provide innovative capabilities, thanks to a revolutionary multi-functional antenna (MFA).
This radar has many more transmit-receive modules than others, making the MK 2 the most powerful AESA radar in the world, maintaining the same power and accuracy as traditional sensors as well as the ability to engage simultaneous operations, thanks to its attack capabilities. broadband electronic.
BAE Systems, prime contractor for the British Typhoons, will integrate the new sensor that will be developed by Leonardo, a leading company in the field of electronic defense.
Both companies are working on a basic version of the AESA radar as part of a quadrinational development program, alongside the Eurofighter consortium in Germany, Spain and Italy. The ECRS Mk 2 represents a completely new approach designed to meet the specific operational needs of the RAF and future export customers.
The UK commitment follows a similar one signed by Germany and Spain to meet their national requirements for an AESA radar.