The first flight of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar being developed for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft will take place in the first quarter of 2014, with the four partner nations expected to sign a production contract shortly after, an industry official said.
The inclusion of an AESA capability for the Eurofighter Typhoon is seen as critical if the aircraft is to capture additional export markets, such as the United Arab Emirates. (BAE Systems)
Speaking in London on 4 June, Andrew Cowdery, Executive Director of Strategy at defence electronics firm Selex ES, said that radar and airframe integration work is currently ongoing on test aircraft IPA 5 at Warton ahead of the planned first flight early next year. Following this first flight milestone, he added, the Euroradar consortium led by Selex ES expects Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK to commit to funding the final stages of development and production.
On 24 October 1979 the first production Leopard 2, hull number Y-377 046, was handed over to the Bundeswehr's Panzertruppenschule. Forty years, 3,565 vehicles in over 95 distinct variants, and more than 21 users later, the Leopard 2 stands as one of the most successful MBT designs in the world. Jon Hawkes explores the vehicle's evolution
The inclusion of an AESA capability for the Eurofighter Typhoon is seen as critical if the aircraft is to capture additional export markets, such as the United Arab Emirates. (BAE Systems)
