Tim Ripley
Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) has signed a contract with British Aerospace for production of the ECR90 radar that will equip the Eurofighter Typhoon.
ECR90 is a next generation high performance pulse Doppler, multi-mode radar, and is the primary sensor for the aircraft.
The contract covers an initial batch of 147 radars and spares that will meet the production requirements for the first tranche of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to be built by the Eurofighter consortium for the four partner nations.
The award of the contract marks a significant milestone in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and represents an endorsement of the maturity and performance of the radar.
The ECR90 programme is valued at more than £1 billion for the planned 620 aircraft to be procured.
Other Marconi involvement in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme represents business valued at more than £2 billion for systems that include the flight control system, head-up display, helmet equipment and electronic warfare system.
As prime contractor for the ECR90 programme, and leader of the Euroradar consortium, Marconi will also be responsible for the support of ECR90 over the full life expectancy of the aircraft.
The Euroradar consortium is led by Marconi Avionics Radar and Countermeasure Systems in Edinburgh and combines the expertise of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, ENOSA and FIAR.
The award of the ECR90 production contract will help maintain a significant technology capability in Scotland as well as providing the basis for future joint programmes in this specialist field.
Source: Flight Daily News