Eurofighter and Euroradar to develop latest generation AESA Radar

July 21, 2010
FARNBOROUGH, England, 21 July 2010. Eurofighter will further develop the capability of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft with the latest active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar technology, building on preliminary development and flight testing undertaken since 2007.
Posted by John McHaleFARNBOROUGH, England, 21 July 2010. Eurofighter will further develop the capability of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft with the latest active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar technology, building on preliminary development and flight testing undertaken since 2007. "This is an important step in the Eurofighter program and will ensure that Typhoon continues to lead the way as the world's best new generation multi-role combat aircraft," says Enzi Casolini, Eurofighter chief executive officer. "In consultation with our core nation customers we can offer an AESA capability that far exceeds any other radar available. This capability will mean that Eurofighter is in the best possible position when offering Typhoon to the export market. The in-service date means we are perfectly positioned to respond to the complex and demanding requirements of the air forces."Although the current Captor mechanically scanned (M-Scan) radar is considered to be best in class, AESA technology will see the Typhoon's radar capabilities developed even further, Eurofighter officials say. The planned AESA radar will offer a variety of benefits over M-Scan, including increased detection and tracking ranges, advanced air-to-surface capability, and enhanced electronic protection measures.The new radar will retain the key features of the existing Captor radar architecture in order to exploit the maturity of the current system and will use latest generation technology to provide a full complement of air-to-air and air-to-surface modes. The large array can be accommodated easily in the Typhoon's radome and, being fitted on a repositioner, will provide an extremely wide field of regard, Eurofighter officials say. The radar will offer users the freedom to retrofit their existing Typhoons when required. The radar will have significant growth potential and both existing and new users will be able to participate in tailoring the radar to meet their individual operational requirements.Euroradar is a multi-national consortium lead by SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, alongside EADS Defence Electronics and Indra. Euroradar has delivered over 250 Captor mechanically scanned radars into the Typhoon program to date and this experience will ensure a timely and smooth transition to AESA.

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