Eurofighter radar advances into live operational testing

Ground-based evaluations have progressed with live targets as Germany and Spain move towards planned radar deliveries in 2027.

Testing of the Eurofighter Common Radar System Mark 1 (ECRS Mk1) has entered a new phase as consortium partners HENSOLDT and Indra begin live operational evaluations of the next-generation radar destined for German and Spanish combat aircraft.

The programme is moving from laboratory and ground-based development towards planned airborne trials in 2026. During the latest testing campaign, the radar has been equipped with its full hardware configuration and the most advanced software version developed so far. Live targets of opportunity and cooperative targets are being used to recreate operational scenarios and accelerate software maturation.

According to the programme partners, early results have demonstrated improvements in both robustness and performance, validating enhancements made to the radar's hardware and software architecture that were approved by programme customers in 2024.

“This major step toward the delivery of ECRS Mk1 to Germany and Spain in 2027 is the result of an uninterrupted commitment of the ECRS Mk1 Industry Partners and a strong support of the German and Spanish Customers to the ECRS Mk1 Programme. Behind the ECRS Mk1 Industry Partners, Airbus, Indra and HENSOLDT, this symbolic milestone is a great reward for the whole team distributed among Germany and Spain highly engaged to deliver first-class air combat capabilities to the ECRS Mk1 Nations,” says Falko Firl, Head of Eurofighter Radar at HENSOLDT.

“The start of the testing phase marks a key milestone in equipping the Eurofighter with an AESA radar featuring advanced capabilities that will support the aircraft's air superiority in the years ahead. It will become one of the most advanced airborne radars in operation and a clear example of how long-standing collaboration between leading European companies enables faster progress and the delivery of cutting-edge solutions to our Armed Forces,” adds Mónica Pérez Fernández, Eurofighter Programme Director at Indra.

ECRS Mk1 was contracted in 2020 and is being developed specifically for the German and Spanish Eurofighter fleets. Built around a multi-channel Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) and a high-performance processor, the radar is intended to strengthen advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities while also supporting passive and active electronic warfare missions.