18 July 2022
by Gareth Jennings
Typhoon aircraft (BS116) alongside an ECRS Mk2 radar model in the test and evaluation hangar at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire. (BAE Systems)
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded BAE Systems GBP2.35 billion (USD2.78 billion) to integrate an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar aboard Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.
Announced ahead of the Farnborough Airshow, the contract sees the MoD commit to fitting the Leonardo European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) E-Scan radar to a portion of the RAF's Typhoon fleet.
“The ECRS Mk2 radar is a transformational upgrade for our Typhoon aircraft, and a step change in capability,” the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston was quoted as saying. The deal covers all 40 of the RAF's Tranche 3 aircraft.
As previously reported by Janes , the UK plans to fly the ECRS Mk2 radar aboard a Eurofighter test aircraft in late 2023, with initial operating capability (IOC) slated for 2030.
23 April 2024
by Gareth Jennings
A file photo of a UAE F-16 combat aircraft. While the Gulf state has traditionally enjoyed strong procurement and operational ties with the West, the UAE AFAD is now also seeking closer co-operation with the PLAAF in China. (Lockheed Martin)
The chief of joint operations for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces has met with the head of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as the two countries look to promote closer co-operation between their respective air forces.
The UAE Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the meeting on 23 April, saying that on the same day Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, commander of Joint Operations, had met with Lieutenant General Chang Dingqiu, commander of the PLAAF, at the headquarters of the Chinese MoD in Beijing.
“During the meeting, a number of topics related to the fields of joint military co-operation and work between the two countries and ways to support and develop them were discussed. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officers and officials of the MoDs of the two countries,” the UAE MoD said.
23 April 2024
by Victor Barreira
The Brazilian Navy wants to improve the radar capabilities of its OPVs. (Victor Barreira)
As part of an effort to update its Amazonas-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), the Brazilian Navy is acquiring a new air and surface search radar with identification friend-or-foe capability (IFF), according to the Navy Weapon Systems Directorate (Diretoria de Sistemas de Armas da Marinha: DSAM).
The Brazilian Naval Commission in Washington, DC, (Comissão Naval Brasileira em Washington: CNBW) on behalf of the DSAM has requested a request for information (RFI) and the price availability for up to three radars on 25 March.
The navy seeks to recover the combat capability of the OPVs by updating several of the ship's systems, the Navy Directorate-General for Material (Diretoria-Geral do Material da Marinha: DGMM) recently told Janes .
The modernisation of the OPVs will be carried out by the DSAM, the DGMM added, without detailing a schedule and the scale of the effort.
The DSAM is subordinated to the DGMM.
22 April 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
The two Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Sikorsky) SH-60Ks, which crashed on 20 April, were participating in an anti-submarine exercise with the JMSDF submarines and surface vessels, according to the service. In this representative 2016 photo, a JMSDF SH-60K Seahawk (in the front) operates with a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk. (US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew C Duncker)
Two Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Sikorsky) SH-60K helicopters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have crashed after they suffered a suspected mid-air collision during a night-time training exercise.
Japan Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara said the incident occurred between 2238 and 2304 h local time on 20 April, while the helicopters were conducting an anti-submarine drill with other JMSDF units. According to Kihara, three helicopters were participating in the drill, 150 n miles east of Torishima Island, in the Izu Islands chain.
“Two of the helicopters were flying in close proximity to each other and we have determined that there is a high possibility that there was a collision,” Kihara said on 21 April.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded BAE Systems GBP2.35 billion (USD2.78 billion) to integr...
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