The Royal Air Force is preparing to begin flight tests of the new ECRS Mk2 radar on the Typhoon fighter jet.

Forces News reported on this.

The new testing stage will allow Leonardo UK specialists to study the radar’s behavior in the air in more detail and conduct high-quality integration with aircraft systems.

The prototype radar is currently installed on the Typhoon ZK355/BS116 fighter jet in Tranche 3 configuration, which will provide a high-quality combination of all detection elements.

It should be noted that the Tranche 1 configuration aircraft will not be upgraded with new radars, as their decommissioning is scheduled to begin in 2025.

It should also be noted that the new radar is designed with an active phased array antenna, which qualitatively improves the radar’s ability to detect, capture, and track air and ground targets during the enemy’s active use of electronic warfare.

The uniqueness of this radar also lies in the rotary mechanism of the antennas, which provides additional angles for capturing the enemy during close air combat or during operations to strike ground targets.

In addition to the antenna, the onboard radar is integrated with the PIRAT optoelectronic detection and capture system.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Defense has invested £2.35 billion in this modernization project, which will improve the capabilities of both British aircraft and the corresponding modernization of foreign Typhoon users.

Militarnyi previously reported that Spain is considering German-made Taurus missiles for its Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

Halcon II is a continuation of the Halcon program, under which Spain received a batch of 20 new Eurofighter Typhoons worth approximately €2 billion.

The improved models are scheduled to be commissioned in 2026. This step ensures that the Taurus system remains operationally viable.