{"id":18818,"date":"2020-09-03T15:42:33","date_gmt":"2020-09-03T15:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/09\/03\/britain-moves-forward-with-its-own-typhoon-radar-primed-for-electronic-warfare\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:46:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:46:51","slug":"britain-moves-forward-with-its-own-typhoon-radar-primed-for-electronic-warfare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2020\/09\/03\/britain-moves-forward-with-its-own-typhoon-radar-primed-for-electronic-warfare\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain moves forward with its own Typhoon radar primed for electronic warfare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LONDON \u2014 Britain\u2019s Royal Air Force is on course to get its own multi-functional active electronically scanned array radar by the middle of the decade to equip Typhoon combat jets as a result of a \u00a3317 million (U.S. $420 million) deal between the Ministry of Defence and industry announced Sept 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BAE Systems and Leonardo have signed up to deliver what is known as the European Common Radar System Mark 2 radar to equip the RAF\u2019s Typhoon fleet with a multi-functional array providing advanced electronic-warfare and electronic-attack capabilities, as well as more traditional radar functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deal includes the industry partners delivering the first Mk2-equipped Typhoons in 2022 for test and evaluation work, as well as three complete radars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial operating capability of the upgraded RAF jets is planned for soon after 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Mk2 production contract will be required to take the program to its next phase but some long-lead manufacturing of some items is already included in this latest deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement is the latest step in a decade-long investment by the British, led by the UK arm of Leonardo, in active electronically scanned radar technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leonardo already produces AESA radars for the Saab Gripen fighter, and the company\u2019s systems are also being fitted to Typhoons for export customers Kuwait and Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The British plan to equip their 40-strong fleet of Typhoon Tranche 3 jets with the new radar but will decide at a later date whether to take up the option of fitting out the earlier Tranche 2 aircraft with the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from its integration work on Mk2 BAE is separately already under contract with the MoD to conduct weapons interface work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work on the Mk2 is a key step in Britain\u2019s efforts to mature technology updating for Typhoons ahead of possible inclusion of the know-how in the Tempest sixth-generation combat jet project now being pursued as part of a wider air combat strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consultant Howard Wheeldon, of Wheeldon Strategic Advisory, said the decision to push forward with the Mk2 is long overdue.<\/p>\n\n\n\t