The prototype of the AESA radar intended for new German and Spanish Typhoons has made its first flight
December 11, 2024
The new E-Scan radar is a game changer for the Eurofighter. It offers the Eurofighter pilot a significant tactical advantage and, when allied with the platform’s inherent power and agility, means that Typhoon will remain an extremely potent performer for the future.
The radar was flown for the first time on a Spanish Eurofighter Instrumented Production Aircraft, IPA9 (C.16-70, 10145 wearing the code 14-28). The first flight of a radar designated as an ECRS.Mk 1 is not quite what it seems, as the Step 0 radar is essentially an existing ECRS.Mk 0, with a German-built antenna, with the same functionality and performance, representing only a stepping stone to the definitive ECRS.Mk 1.
The Typhoon’s AESA journey (https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/advanced-frankenradar-prototype-for-typhoon/) has been long and complex, and resulted in the ECRS.Mk 0 (Captor-E) for Kuwait and Qatar, the ECRS.Mk 1 for the latest German and Spanish orders, and the more advanced and more capable UK-led ECRS.Mk 2.
The ECRS.Mk 1 is a derivative of the basic Mk 0, and in its initial ‘Step Zero’ form will be functionally identical, differing only in having a German-manufactured antenna. The ‘Step One’ version will “significantly expands on the existing capabilities of the Mk 0,” its manufacturers insist, and will feature a new Hensoldt/Indra multi channel receiver, and new broadband TRMs. The ECRS.Mk 1 Step 1 will first be fitted to the Eurofighters ordered under the Halcon 2 programme, but earlier Step 0 radars fitted to initial Quadriga and Halcon 1 aircraft will be upgraded to the same standard by retrofit.
The Hensoldt/Indra team is already planning for a further Step 2 iteration, which will essentially be a major software upgrade. This will further exploit the processing capabilities inherent in the system, adding task-based management, and some electronic warfare functions, as well as a number of unspecified ‘advanced features’.
Hensoldt say that the E-Scan Radar will open the door for the Eurofighter Typhoon to enter the Future Operating Environment. The radar is the aircraft’s main sensor, and improvements and the insertion of new capabilities act as multiplier for the mission effectiveness of the whole Typhoon weapon system.
The ECRS.Mk 0 and ECRS.Mk 1 use a mechanical repositioner to provide a much greater field of regard, and bring more radar power and automated multi-mode operation. Smart integration with other sensors and greater detection range will help to reduce the pilot workload and enhance his Situational Awareness.
The ability to use multiple beams allows extremely precise target tracking, giving the pilot maximum authority over engagement ranges and tactical decisions. Thanks to the Wide Field of Regard, there’s greater potential to reduce geometrical closure to an enemy while maintaining the full picture.
Whilst there are multiple variants of the ECRS radar, there is one common integration programme and weapon system solution. Even the ECRS.Mk 2 (which has no commonality with the other variants forward of the power supply) has the same interface into the attack computer, and the same MMI (Man Machine Interface). This common programme approach will allow Eurofighter to cater for different customer requirements, without costs spiralling due to divergent requirements and stand-alone development programmes.
The Eurofighter weapons system itself — the avionics, the cockpit, the power, the cooling, the structure, the support solution — is configured to support all of the different ECRS AESA radar variants. All share one common interface and infrastructure within which the multiple radar variants can be utilised – providing what is essentially a plug and play radar concept for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
