An advanced new radar which will equip Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots with the ability to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defences has taken to the skies for the first time.

The latest prototype of the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mark 2 has been flown on a UK Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft at BAE Systems’ flight test facility in Lancashire, supported by the radar’s developer, Leonardo UK.

It’s the latest milestone in the ongoing development programme for the UK Typhoon and will strengthen the aircraft’s control of the airspace and provide cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities making it an even more potent part of the NATO’s frontline fleet.

The development of the radar and flight took place under a contract awarded by DE&S Typhoon delivery team which supports 600 jobs across the UK’s combat air industry including more than 300 at Leonardo’s site in Edinburgh, 100 in Luton and 120 at BAE Systems in Lancashire.

Nick Moore, Typhoon DepHd Capability Acquisition at DE&S, said:

“This is another landmark moment in this strategically important programme which will provide the RAF with battle-winning technology that gives them the edge to protect the nation.

“The ECRS Mk2 radar will further transform Eurofighter Typhoon’s control of the air and provide exceptional capability our adversaries will struggle to match.”

The flight follows a programme of integration and ground-based testing delivered through a successful collaboration between DE&S, RAF, BAE Systems and Leonardo.

Air Cdr Nick Lowe, Head Capability Delivery Combat Air and Typhoon Senior Responsible Officer, Royal Air Force, said:

“Evolution of Typhoon’s air combat capability is paramount to ensure Typhoon continues to deter potential aggressors, defend our nation and defeat our adversaries wherever we need to fly and fight whether for the UK or in our staunch support to the NATO alliance. This first flight of this ECRS Mk2 prototype new radar in the test aircraft is a positive step towards ensuring this.”

 

Andy Holden, Radar Delivery Director at BAE Systems, said:

 “Programmes such as the ECRS Mk2 ensure the UK retains a sovereign capability to develop and integrate cutting edge systems in to frontline combat aircraft such as Typhoon.

“Through this work we are directly supporting critical know-how and sustaining hundreds of highly-skilled jobs.”

Tim Bungey, Chief Engineer for ECRS Mk2 at Leonardo UK added:

“The development of the ECRS Mk2 is fully utilising the UK’s world-class radar design skills. Over the past few months, its Processor, Receiver, and Antenna Power Supply and Control (APSC) units have all been re-engineered from the prototype design to further enhance the capacity, capability, and performance of the Mk2 system in alignment with the new antenna and electronic warfare capability.”