The radars equipping tomorrow’s sixth-generation combat aircraft will be the most advanced ever to take to the skies, says Thomas Withington, examining their capabilities and how they might influence air combat
The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a $278m deal to install the ECRS Mk 2 radar on board the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. The announcement in July said Leonardo has developed the ECRS Mk 2 to be installed on the RAF’s Tranche-2/3 jets, equipping 40 and possibly 67 aircraft, respectively. Reports stated the new radar should reach an initial operational capability on the RAF’s Typhoons circa 2030. The ECRS Mk 2 is a step change for the Typhoon’s radar capabilities compared with the current Euroradar Captor-M systems furnishing the aircraft.
The ECRS Mk2 will be an important move toward the radar equipping the Typhoon’s Tempest successor. Several forthcoming sixth-generation combat aircraft will domina…
