Broader Bandwidth Materials Facilitate AESA Operations
Meggitt plc has been awarded a £4.2 million (€4.7 million) contract with BAE Systems to supply innovative nose radomes for the TYPHOON aircraft.
The UK has committed to developing game-changing technologies which will equip RAF TYPHOONs with a world-leading EW capability, in addition to traditional radar functions, including wide-band electronic attack. BAE Systems and Leonardo are on contract to deliver the European Common Radar Systems Mk 2 (ECRS Mk 2), which will equip RAF pilots with the ability to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defences using high-powered jamming.
As part of this programme, Meggitt has used its advanced composite expertise to design a new higher and broader bandwidth radome, to protect the new multi-function array radar from environmental effects, prevent electromagnetic interference whilst being aerodynamically stable and highly transmissive for the AESA radar system’s operational modes.
“This next generation radar will provide game-changing capabilities to the TYPHOON. Our Stevenage facility is a specialist site for this class of cutting-edge radome development and manufacture [and we are] working with BAE Systems and Leonardo to meet the future ongoing operational needs of the RAF,” commented Chris Allen, President of Meggitt’s Airframe division.
