The UK could accelerate the availability of advanced features to be introduced via a major radar upgrade for its Typhoon combat aircraft, according to Eurofighter partner company BAE Systems.

Leonardo UK is developing the ECRS Mk2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor for integration with the Royal Air Force’s Tranche 3 production-standard jets. A first series of prototype flight trials was conducted last year using an instrumented production aircraft flown from BAE’s Warton site in Lancashire.

“We are very keen that we have that radar operationally in service before the end of the decade,” BAE’s Typhoon head of programme capability Paul Smith said at the DSEI exhibition in London on 11 September. “Working closely with Leonardo and our other partners we are on track to do that, and we are looking at ways that we could accelerate that capability.”

BAE expects to receive a first pre-production-standard example of the AESA radar during 2027, ahead of ground-based work to be followed by flight-testing from later the same year.

BAE recently disclosed that future flight-testing of the AESA array is also likely to include the use of Qinetiq’s Avro RJ100 Airborne Technology Demonstrator.

“We are discussing with the UK whether that would be an appropriate vehicle to accelerate the introduction of that capability,” Smith says. “Can we drag forward some of those other elements that a multi-functional array gives us; the broader capabilities?”

Notably, the UK has previously outlined plans for its ECRS Mk2-equipped Typhoons to conduct electronic attack missions.

While Smith declines to say which elements could be brought forward, he notes: “I’m talking about a fully robust initial operating capability by the end of the decade. The great thing that we saw in the Step 1 [prototype] testing last year was: straight out of the box, that radar successfully carried out the functions that we wanted to test.”

“We continue to work with the UK and the Royal Air Force on the development and supply of ECRS Mk2, and we support the UK in any collaborations they have across Europe or with international customers on potential acquisitions,” says James Glazebrook, BAE’s Typhoon capability delivery director.

BAE did not provide an update on its major export campaigns at the show, but near-term prospects have previously been detailed as including Saudi Arabia and Turkey. And Qatar, which recently fielded its last of 24 UK-assembled Eurofighters, is believed to have renewed its interest in a potential follow-on acquisition, spurred by factors including a 9 September Israeli air force strike which targeted Hamas personnel near Doha.

Noting that the worldwide Eurofighter fleet is approaching the completion of its first one million flying hours, Glazebrook says: “Typhoon has never been busier in terms of operations. We see increased interest within Europe and [from] export nations around potential aircraft sales.”

Meanwhile, BAE plans to fly its self-funded large-area display (LAD) enhancement for the Typhoon, which it hopes to include as part of a mid-life upgrade activity for the type.

“As part of our investment, we are looking at getting that display into the air,” Smith confirms.

He notes that the LAD – which was included within a cockpit demonstrator at DSEI – has been selected by Eurofighter partner nations Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK “as the technical maturation focus for LTE [long-term evolution]”.

And asked whether a BAE-produced low-cost precision-guided rocket which is increasingly being employed in the airborne counter-drone role by the US military could find its way onto the Typhoon, Smith says: “We are currently assessing APKWS [II], and looking at a range of integration options.

“It is just one of a range of weapons that we are doing feasibility studies on, working with customer nations,” he adds.

The US Air Force recently completed a nine-day activity to integrate the APKWS II round with its Boeing F-15E combat aircraft.