The German Aerospace Center (DLR) airfield served as the setting for the maiden flight of the Advanced Technology Research Aircraft (ATRA). This modified Airbus A320 testbed features a distinctive new element: the nose of a Eurofighter Typhoon jet.
This modification, executed by Airbus engineers in Manching, is specifically designed to accommodate the Hensoldt-made ECRS or AESA MK1 radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array) and creates a platform for developing radar technology for the Eurofighter.
“We are operating the aircraft in close collaboration with the DLR and the German Armed Forces to test a new radar for the Eurofighter and bring it to maturity,” explains Airbus E-Scan radar project manager Thomas Hirsch.
To accommodate the radar, engineers designed a completely new front section and reinforced the airframe, ensuring the modifications adhere to the strict procedures of Airbus Commercial Aircraft. Future phases of the project will involve fitting the cabin with specialized test systems, including a Eurofighter avionics rig and cooling and power infrastructure.
Using the A320 ATRA provides several advantages over testing directly on the Typhoon.
“The A320 ATRA has a significantly shorter clearance process and can stay in the air longer than a Eurofighter,” Hirsch explained.
These aspects allow for more extensive and prolonged testing in real-world scenarios, thereby accelerating the radar’s development timeline. It will eventually be integrated into the Spanish “Halcón I” and German “Quadriga” Eurofighter variants.
According to Airbus, the AESA-MK1 radar will enhance the Eurofighter’s functionality in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, along with improving its electronic warfare capabilities. The radar upgrade focuses on precise target recognition, greater agility, and enhanced electronic protection (EPM). It adds new electronic support (ESM) and attack (EA) capabilities.
Another prototype radar designed to upgrade the Typhoon, known as the ECRS Mark 2, is currently in development and testing by BAE Systems and Leonardo.
