Leonardo UK and BAE Systems have completed ground testing of the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, and the active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar is due to be flown for the first time from BAE’s Warton flight test site “in a couple of weeks,” according to Ben Geal, Leonardo’s Mk2 campaign manager. A number of the radar’s modules have recently undergone re-engineering into production form, but their functions have already been tested and cleared ahead of the flight trials.
Developed by Leonardo at its UK sites in Edinburgh and Luton, initially to meet UK-only requirements, the Mk2 represents a significant advance over the ECRS Mk0 AESA radar first fitted to export Typhoons for Kuwait and Qatar. It features an electronic attack capability that permits the equipment to actively counter hostile radars during defense suppression operations.
The Mk2 radar is one of several developments undertaken across the quadrinational Typhoon program to ensure that the aircraft remains relevant, especially as the Typhoon moves toward the Phase 4 enhancements (P4e) update, expected to come available in 2029.
Among them is the defensive aids sub-system (DASS), which is being updated with a digital processor offering improved speed and greater memory, and a digital receiver for better discrimination of threat emissions in complex threat sets. The system is also getting a bandwidth extension to provide a wider spectrum of coverage. A key element is to ensure that the DASS remains interoperable with the Typhoon's new AESA radars, be they Mk0, German/Spanish Mk1, or British Mk2.
P4e also includes a unified mission computer (UMC) that offers 300 times the power of the current system. New weapons capability includes the Spear and Spear EW, which also contribute to the ability to conduct suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions.
Some of the P4e elements have already entered testing. The computer has flown in a BAE Systems trials Typhoon, along with improved DASS elements being test-flown on a trials aircraft operated by 2Excel. Plans call for the new Striker II helmet to undergo test flights before the end of the year.
Eurofighter envisions a long service career for the Typhoon, with aircraft expected to remain in service until 2060 and beyond. A series of further modifications and upgrades form part of the Long Term Evolution roadmap.
New technologies to be installed include better datalinks and connectivity, which will allow the Typhoon to be fully networked with unmanned autonomous combat platforms that can accompany the fighter on complex missions. Greater interoperability will be possible with other force elements such as the F-35.
In the meantime, the Eurofighter consortium expects to shortly add more aircraft to the orderbook, which currently stands at 680 aircraft. Germany announced last month a further buy of 20 Tranche 5 aircraft for the Luftwaffe, while Italy is to order 24 new aircraft to replace its aging Tranche 1 machines. Spain plans to purchase another 25 Typhoons as the second phase of its Halcon acquisition.
Export prospects remain good, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia discussing a follow-on order of 48 to add to its initial purchase of 72. Turkey has also expressed strong interest in acquiring the type, a total of 40 having been mentioned, and the Typhoon is a strong contender for Poland’s air dominance fighter requirement.