British Royal Air Force Conducts First Flight Test of ECRS Mk2 Radar for Eurofighter Typhoon

The European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) took to the skies for the first time today aboard a UK Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft at BAE Systems' flight test facility in Lancashire.

The radar, developed by Leonardo UK, aims to equip Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots with enhanced capabilities to locate, identify, and suppress enemy air defences.

The ECRS Mk2 offers traditional radar functionalities such as search and targeting, along with electronic warfare capabilities, including the ability to conduct powerful electronic jamming attacks against enemy radar systems while remaining out of range of threats.

The first flight of the ECRS Mk2 follows a series of integration and ground-based tests conducted through a collaboration between the UK Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the RAF, BAE Systems, and Leonardo UK.

The Typhoon programme supports over 21,000 highly skilled jobs in the UK and contributes approximately £1.6 billion annually to the economy. The development of the ECRS Mk2 alone secures 600 roles across the UK combat air industry, including more than 300 positions at Leonardo's site in Edinburgh, 100 in Luton, and 120 at BAE Systems in Lancashaire.