Airbus Secures Deal for Cutting-Edge Eurofighter ESCAN Radar Integration with 115 Units
Airbus Awarded Major Contract for Eurofighter ESCAN Radars
Airbus has successfully secured a significant contract to develop, supply, and integrate 115 Eurofighter ESCAN Radars for the German and Spanish Eurofighter fleets. This marks the largest order to date for the state-of-the-art Captor-E electronically scanned array radar. The contract was formalized following approvals from both governments in recent weeks.
This contract involves the delivery and integration of 110 Captor-E radars for Germany, along with an initial batch of five radars for Spain, set to be delivered by 2023. The new advanced sensors will be installed on Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 Eurofighters, as well as on new aircraft. The Airbus facilities located in Manching, Germany, and Getafe, Spain, will serve as the primary integration hubs. Development and manufacturing of the radar will be managed by a consortium led by Hensoldt and Indra, in collaboration with other Eurofighter partner companies.
Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the significance of the Captor-E radar contract: “This agreement is a major achievement in ensuring that Eurofighter remains equipped with advanced sensors capable of addressing today’s and future threat scenarios. By investing in Eurofighter, Germany and Spain are solidifying their commitment to a robust European air defence framework and reinforcing a leading initiative within the European defence industry.”
The Eurofighter Captor-E is recognized as the most advanced electronically scanned array radar specifically designed for fighter aircraft. Its innovative front fuselage airframe design enables the Eurofighter to feature the largest electronically scanned array, which translates to enhanced detection and tracking ranges, advanced air-to-surface capabilities, and superior electronic protection measures. Additionally, the extensive antenna surface offers a broader field of regard compared to other platforms, substantially boosting the aircraft’s performance and affirming its strategic value within the Future Combat Aircraft System landscape.
Furthermore, the newly signed contract is poised to provide a significant boost to the Eurofighter’s ongoing export tenders.
