When I flew the Eurofighter Typhoon with the Royal Air Force, it was without question the best aircraft I had the pleasure of flying.
As a pilot, you are removed from the development of the capabilities of the jet which you are operating and really only seen the benefits of this work when they come to the frontline squadron.
Why does Typhoon excel at Electronic Warfare?
Electronic warfare (EW) was a part of Typhoon’s make up from its earliest iteration. Typhoon has always been equipped with highly programmable and responsive, multi-layered defensive aids, known as DASS (Defensive Aids Sub-Systems). The DASS enables the aircraft to detect threats and carry out jamming against them very quickly.
One of the things that sets Typhoon apart is it not only detects and prioritises threats, but it tells the pilot what it's doing and offers recommendations in terms of manoeuvres whilst automatically deploying optimised countermeasures.
Decoys like chaff, flares and the Brite Cloud expendable active decoy are automatically coordinated with electronic counter measures to give the pilot the response that gives them the best chance of survival.
I operated some of these defensive aids during my time in the cockpit, and during this time and in the time since I left the RAF, Typhoon has continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing threats.
Today, I work alongside my colleagues in BAE Systems and our Eurofighter partners at Leonardo, Indra, ELT and Hensoldt to ensure Typhoon’s EW capabilities are constantly evolving.
The threat systems our adversaries are using, whether that be communications or radar systems, can change more rapidly, which means they are more challenging to detect, identify and counter. However, the ability to easily re-programme Typhoon’s DASS enables it to respond in a matter of hours to the rapidly changing threat environment.
Future Typhoon investments will take this ability to a new level. This year, we will flight trial in-mission DASS updates, meaning the ability to detect a new threat, send information via data link to a ground station, and receive the reprogrammed DASS data all within the same mission.
ECRS Mk2 – a game changer
The European Common Radar System, or ECRS, is the electronically-scanning variant of radar which is in service with Typhoon aircraft operated by both Kuwait and Qatar.
The variant in-service is known as ECRS Mk0, and brings pilots much more situational awareness, providing a 50% greater field of regard to traditional fixed plate radars. Together with our partners at Leonardo we are also working with our UK customer to develop the ECRS Mk2 standard.
The ECRS Mk2 will bring innovative, world-leading EW capability, in addition to traditional radar functions, including wide band Electronic Attack.
It will equip RAF pilots with the ability to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defences using high-powered jamming. They can engage targets whilst beyond the reach of threats - even when they’re looking in another direction - and operate inside the range of opposing air defences, remaining fully protected throughout.
What makes ECRS Mk2 different?
It is a multi-function array which is not just a more complicated way of saying ‘radar’ - it means it carries out a wide range of functions beyond just radar capabilities. This flexibility allows it to not only detect various signals across the spectrum but also engage in electronic attack activities. This multifunction aspect is a huge benefit.
In addition, whereas traditionally radars are limited to a narrow, congested part of the radio frequency spectrum, the ECRS Mk2 operates across a far broader range of the electromagnetic spectrum. That provides a massive advantage because you can operate above or below the congested and contested frequencies where most fighter radars operate.
It also enables the delivery of electronic attack effects to wide range of adversary air and surface based radars. Such advanced capability enables enhanced situational awareness and strategic effects in the electromagnetic battlespace.
Engineering the future of Typhoon
The most flexible and proven multi-role combat aircraft on the market today, Typhoon combines air superiority with proven air-to-surface capability, to take on any mission. Arham Haris discusses his passion for the aircraft and his role working on the platform.
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