The Royal Air Force’s upgrade to the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 for its Typhoon jets has reached several significant milestones, according to a new update from the Ministry of Defence.
In response to a question from Conservative MP James Cartlidge, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle provided details on the progress of the radar system, which is designed to enhance the combat capabilities of the Typhoon.
Eagle confirmed that the ECRS Mk2 programme passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the production radar system in June 2024 and completed ground testing on a Typhoon trials aircraft in July.
“The European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 programme has achieved several positive milestones in the past four months, notably passing the production radar system Critical Design Review (CDR) in June 2024 and the completion of prototype ground testing on a Typhoon trials aircraft in July 2024. Teams across the Ministry of Defence and industry are working to meet the major milestone of a first flight of ECRS Mk2 over the coming weeks.”
The latest developments build on previous testing conducted at BAE Systems’ flight testing facility in Warton, Lancashire, with support from Leonardo UK, which developed the radar at its Edinburgh and Luton sites.
The ground-based tests, completed in July, included rigorous electromagnetic testing in an anechoic chamber to ensure the radar’s functionality and performance in real-world combat conditions.
Group Captain D’Aubyn, the RAF’s Typhoon Programme Director, remarked in July, “Embodiment of this prototype new radar into the test aircraft is a positive step on the continuous evolution of Typhoon’s control of the air capabilities, maintaining its sovereign Freedom of Action and preserving its technological advantage.”
The ECRS Mk2 radar represents a significant upgrade from the older Captor-M systems, introducing high-powered jamming capabilities to suppress enemy air defences and engage targets from beyond the range of threats. According to Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the radar will “transform the Eurofighter Typhoon’s control of the air, bringing a world-leading electronic warfare capability which will allow the aircraft to simultaneously detect, identify, and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.”
The RAF has ordered 40 ECRS Mk2 radars for its Tranche 3 Typhoon aircraft, with potential expansion to up to 67 additional radars for the Tranche 2 aircraft. Germany and Italy are also considering incorporating the Mk2 into their Typhoon fleets, further underscoring the system’s international appeal.
Does this go hand-hand-hand with the cockpit upgrade?
Those potential 67 need to happen pulse Doppler is last century. Who knows how many potential export deals were scuppered due to perceived dated technology. I wonder if we will actually get any exports now we’re finally fielding up to par equipment.
Captor M is still a very, very capable radar system.
I agree, but I do think it’s now time.
If you’re exporting it’s not only about capability, but perception.
Export radars would have degraded capability? I understand the Saudi and other nations US Aesa on F15 has less capability , which makes sense. The world is changing about who to trust, especially nations tempted by BRICS for instance.
With Radar 2 tech going into Tempest , I doubt we will export outside EU partners
Given that we will probably end up selling GCAP to Qatar and the Saudis, I see no reason to be so cautious with the radar tech that will one day go into it.
Not Japan?
By the time this radar reaches operational squadrons we will have to ask how advanced it is. Typhoon is due to leave service 15 years from now and about 10 years before this reaches operational squadrons. I can see the last few radars being installed on aircraft a few years from the razor blade factory.
Now we are developing an entirely new radar for Tempest.
This is why the RAF is so small compared to other air forces.
So, get my maths right, total Typhoon fleet of 107 – 67 ECRS Mk2 candidates, leaves 40. So, which Typhoon Tranche would this leave with Captor M?
the Tranche 1s that are due to leave service shortly …
I do wonder if part of Italy’s goal with GCAP (other than actually just wanting to be part of a cutting edge fighter programme for the benefits that brings) is to try and bring some of the technology that is geographically locked in Leonardo UK into Leonardo as a whole.