Leonardo has declared that it has secured contracts exceeding €260M with HENSOLDT, which will position the company as a crucial participant in the advancement and provision of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s ECRS Mk1 (European Common Radar System Mk1) E-scan radar, commissioned by Germany and Spain. Leonardo will undertake development tasks on innovative wideband features and deliver essential components of the radar’s antenna, APSC (Antenna Power Supply & Control), along with its processor.
Leonardo is already recognized as the design authority for the ECRS Mk0 E-scan radar requested by Kuwait and Qatar, the design of which serves as a foundation for the ECRS Mk1, and holds the position of design authority for the UK-led ECRS Mk2 radar.
HENSOLDT holds the role of design authority for the ECRS Mk1 radar, while Airbus Defence & Space will incorporate the radar onto the Eurofighter Typhoon. Leveraging its leadership of the EuroRADAR consortium—which develops the ECRS Mk0—Leonardo is equipping HENSOLDT to take on a leadership position for the ECRS Mk1, enhancing Germany’s indigenous combat aircraft capabilities. This strong teamwork on the project exemplifies the robust collaborative relationship between the two defense electronics giants.
The German and Spanish ECRS Mk1 radar features a digital multi-channel receiver along with new wideband transmit-receive modules, elevating the capabilities of Mk0. Beyond producing fundamental antenna, APSC, and processor components, HENSOLDT has enlisted Leonardo for development tasks on wideband functions that will utilize these new receiver and transmit-receive modules to enhance the ECRS Mk1’s detection range and precision. The inaugural ECRS Mk1 radar is anticipated to be completed in 2025.
Leonardo will provide modules for the ECRS Mk1 from its facilities in Nerviano, Edinburgh, Campi Bisenzio, and Palermo.
Additionally, Leonardo is spearheading the design of the ECRS Mk2, a new iteration being advanced in collaboration with BAE Systems, featuring a multifunction array. Development of the ECRS Mk2 is financed by the UK and is backed by Italy through the ECRS Mk2 Industrial Joint Team.
