The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has granted BAE Systems a substantial £870m agreement to furnish a new radar system aimed at augmenting the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon fighter jet fleet. This initiative will enhance the aircraft’s command over airspace while providing state-of-the-art electronic warfare functionalities.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has granted BAE Systems a substantial £870m agreement to furnish a new radar system aimed at augmenting the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon fighter jet fleet. This initiative will enhance the aircraft’s command over airspace while providing state-of-the-art electronic warfare functionalities.
The contract, conferred by the Ministry of Defence to BAE Systems, will facilitate the further advancement of technology and integration efforts concerning the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radar by BAE Systems and Leonardo UK. This endeavor is anticipated to culminate in initial flight testing by 2024.
BAE Systems spearheads the comprehensive design, development, production, and enhancement of the Typhoon aircraft for the UK, while Leonardo takes the lead for the aircraft’s principal sensing and survivability frameworks, encompassing its radar and defensive aids sub-systems.
This contract forms part of the UK Government’s announcement from July 2022, investing £2.35 billion to advance technological enhancements in Typhoon capabilities, underscoring its enduring role in supporting national security and defense priorities.
Typhoon is an exceptional aircraft that consistently delivers essential support to defense and security missions across the globe, including NATO air policing in Eastern Europe. Its ongoing development as a superior combat air platform enables the RAF to retain its strategic edge and safeguard the dynamic ecosystem fostering our sovereign combat air capabilities in the UK, while nurturing the technical expertise crucial to the nation’s future combat air strategy.
Andrea Thompson, Managing Director – Europe & International at BAE Systems’ Air Sector
The ECRS Mk2 Radar program will introduce world-class capabilities, conceived by our proficient engineers in both Edinburgh and Luton. We take great pride in our contribution to the safety and security of the United Kingdom, ensuring that the country remains pivotal in next-generation combat air initiatives. The ECRS Mk2 will not just provide essential features to Typhoon but also cultivate and sustain vital skills pertinent to the Global Combat Air Program.
Mark Hamilton, Managing Director Electronics UK, Leonardo
Typhoon is a highly proficient and extremely versatile multi-role combat aircraft. It is prepared to be deployed across the complete spectrum of air operations, including air policing, peace support, and high-intensity conflict. The RAF Typhoons operate in conjunction with F-35B Lightning II to deliver frontline capacity for the UK.
The Typhoon program supports over 20,000 positions throughout all regions of the UK each year, contributing £1.4 billion to the national economy annually. The ECRS Mk2 radar initiative sustains more than 600 specialized jobs nationwide, incorporating over 300 at Leonardo’s facility in Edinburgh, more than 100 electronic warfare experts at the company’s site in Luton, and 120 advanced engineers at BAE Systems’ location in Lancashire.
