Flight Trials Of E-Scan Radar On Eurofighter Typhoon Begin

Flight trials of the E-Scan radar have begun following the completion of ground tests using a UK Eurofighter Typhoon test aircraft, clearing the path towards full integration of the radar.

The ground tests were carried out on Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 5 with the detection and tracking of airborne targets at significant range, Eurofighter said in a statement Wednesday.

Flight tests have now begun at BAE Systems' site in Warton, Lancashire, where IPA5 undertook a flight of around one hour in duration on Friday 8th July. A second test aircraft, IPA8 based in Germany, is also set to join the integration programme.

The trials are designed to ensure the radar and weapons system reaches the required capability in time for first deliveries to the Kuwait Air Force earlier this year.

Alan Barton, Delivery Director, Typhoon Radar Programmes for BAE Systems, said, "Following the successful completion of this ground testing phase, flight testing using IPA5 has now commenced."

The E-Scan Radar equipment and Weapons System capability will be incrementally enhanced over the next three years to enable the required capability (P3E Standard) to be available for the first deliveries to the Kuwait Air Force.

The new radar, provided by the Euroradar consortium, which is led by Leonardo-Finmeccanica, underpins the Typhoon's current and future capability evolution.