Magnetics Business & Technology - March/April 2025 - 18

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Continued from page 17...
The Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned
array (AESA) fire control radar is the latest and most capable
AESA in the world and acts as the cornerstone to the F-35
Lightning II's advanced sensor suite, says the company. It has
long-range active and passive air-to-air and air-to-ground modes
that support a full range of air-to-air and air-to-surface missions
complemented by stealth features along with significant electronic
warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance functions.
northern
England. The installation follows months of ground tests
" in a unique facility " at the Warton site, added the manufacturers.
They said that the radar will be " able to locate and deny use of an
adversary's radar with a powerful electronic jamming attack, whilst
staying beyond the reach of threats. "
BAE and Leonardo UK fit latest AESA technology to Typhoon test jet at
special facility in UK
Generations of AESA Experience: Northrop Grumman's mature production
environment reflects decades of AESA development spanning
many generations. Over this period, Northrop Grumman has continuously
improved strong designs and reduced the cost while expanding
capabilities.
AESA projects by BAE and Leonardo
Thales
Ross Wilson, Vice President of Engineering, Radar & Advanced
Targeting at Leonardo UK, said that alongside the prototype radar
integration work, " ECRS Mk2 production design has also been
progressing apace. " He added that the radar's processor, receiver,
and antenna power supply and control units have " all been
re-engineered to further enhance the capacity, capability, and
performance of the Mk2 system in alignment with the new antenna
and electronic warfare capability. "
Eurofighter Typhoon: BAE and Leonardo are working on AESA installation
to Europe's next-generation Eurofighter Typhoon jet.
BAE Systems and Leonardo are among others active in AESA
programs. Working together, they recently fit an advanced AESA
radar to a Eurofighter Typhoon fourth generation fighter jet for the
first time, in preparation for the maiden flight of the system later
this year. The companies said the European Common Radar
System (ECRS), Mark 2 (Mk2) prototype, which features a multifunctional
array for search and tracking and electronic warfare
functions, was installed on BS116, a UK test and evaluation
Typhoon jet by engineers at BAE's Warton production facility in
18 Magnetics Business & Technology * March/April 2025
Thales is applying AESA technology to the Rafale Fighter in France.
Photo: © E. Raz Regards ©Thales
Thales, another active provider of AESA systems, is supplying
state-of-the art AESA radar for the Rafale, a French twin-engine,
canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by
Dassault Aviation. The radar has been designed in close collaboration
with Dassault Aviation and DGA -French defense procurement
agency to meet expectations of Air Forces by combining
advanced fire control radar detection and target tracking capabilities.
It is combat proven on board the Rafale for the French
Air Forces. The Rafale is also used by Egyptian, Qatari, Indian,
Greek, Croatian, UAE and Indonesian Air Forces.
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