Disrupt, deceive and disable: RAF Typhoons' new radar closer to ...

RAF Typhoons are being given a new capability to take the fight to the enemy - not with bombs or missiles, but with an advanced new radar - and the system looks set to take flight shortly.

Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle said teams across the Ministry of Defence and industry were working to meet the major milestone of a first flight of ECRS Mk2 over the coming weeks.

BAE Systems and Leonardo UK's  European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 is one of the world's most advanced radars.

ECRS Mk2 features an innovative multi-functional array that can perform both traditional radar functions such as search and targeting, as well as electronic warfare tasks.

Its electronic attack capability will enable the Typhoon to disrupt, deceive or disable enemy radars and communication systems.

The new system will also allow the aircraft to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.

It allows greater freedom of manoeuvre whilst on missions and has extended range missile guidance - ensuring missiles remain accurate, on course and effective over a longer distance.

The radar is designed to be operational most, if not all, of the time.

This is because it can degrade gracefully - it continues to function at a lower capacity rather than shutting down entirely if components fail.

And any failures are also compensated for by backup or duplicate elements, so if one part fails, another can take over.

ECRS can also multi-task with the simultaneous operation of its air-to-air, air-to-ground and electronic warfare functions.

It is advanced enough to handle all these tasks at the same time without having to switch modes or focus on one. 

Ms Eagle said the programme had already achieved several positive milestones in the past four months.

She said it had notably passed the production radar system critical design review in June and the completion of prototype ground testing on a Typhoon trials aircraft in July.

ECRS Mk2 is expected to enter service with RAF Typhoons towards the end of the decade.