Evolution of Existing Mechanically-scanned Radar in Service in Six Air Forces
GRIFO-E, an electronically scanned radar for fighter jets that draws on the successful Leonardo GRIFO mechanically scanned unit (of which more than 450 have been installed in seven aircraft types serving with six air forces), will be unveiled by the company at the Farnborough International Airhsow 16-20 July.
Re-using Leonardo’s proven E-scan antenna technology while adding a variety of advanced capabilities based upon a multi-aperture array and multi-channel receiver, GRIFO-E offers high-spec E-scan fire-control capabilities in a cost-effective, lightweight and low consumption package. The system is expected to be qualified in 2019, with first deliveries ready to take place in 2020. It is suitable for light attack as well as larger aircraft. A flexible, modular system, the GRIFO-E can be easily adapted to meet the installation constraints on a wide range of platforms. The new radar has been designed and developed at Leonardo’s Nerviano and Edinburgh sites, making it a European radar product that is readily exportable internationally.
GRIFO-E makes use of Leonardo’s leading Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, also known as ‘E-Scan’, hence the ‘-E’ suffix. AESA technology allows the radar to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Because the building blocks of the GRIFO-E are mature, proven technologies owned by Leonardo, the company has been able to invest in developing a range of advanced new modes for the radar, fully exploiting the capabilities of AESA, a multi-channel receiver and multi-core processing units.
FIA18 visitors will also be able to see Leonardo’s GRIFO-346 (M-Scan) fire control radar on-board the M-346FA (Fighter Attack) aircraft. The GRIFO is currently at an advanced stage of integration onto the M-346FA and will contribute to the aircraft being able to effectively conduct a wide range of both training and operational missions. GRIFO-346 comes with a suite of field-proven air-to-air, air-to-surface and navigation modes, including high resolution SAR and ISAR. It is able to track up to 10 targets simultaneously in Track-While-Scan (TWS) mode and has a maximum range beyond 50nmi (92 kilometres).
