Page 16 - Aviation News (February 2020)

A German Eurofi ghter in air-to-air
Others disagree, pointing out that while confi guration. Key-Dino Carrara for carrying auxiliary fuel tanks) and with
America would of course prefer one of fuel tanks on the centreline and stations
its companies to be selected to provide with emerging threats and an ever- 7 and 8 (inboard underwing positions)
aircraft, it would still help integrate US more-complex contested environment, which are not currently ‘wet’ stations. The
nuclear weapons on the Eurofi ghter if reprogrammable EW systems and aircraft also carried MBDA’s new Selective
the alternative was Germany dropping advanced SEAD systems and weapons Precision E ects At Range-Electronic
its nuclear role altogether. Airbus and might o er a more e ective solution than Warfare (SPEAR-EW) weapon, while one
Eurofi ghter have dismissed claims that dedicated low observable (LO) or stealth illustration showed a wingman carrying a
integration of the B61 will be problematic, aircraft. This is especially true if the ECR generic anti-radiation missile.
pointing out that feasibility work is already is able to exploit a more rapid and agile SPEAR-EW will have an advanced,
under way. Typhoon’s nuclear capability mission data analysis cycle with genuine miniaturised Digital Radio Frequency
was reportedly demonstrated to Belgian air national control of the system. Memory (DRFM) jammer from Leonardo,
force chief Major General Frederik Vansina Aircraft like this ECR variant o er and will operate as part of a swarm of
in a simulator during 2017 as part of the collaborative electronic warfare capabilities networked weapons and expendable
ill-fated Belgian campaign (on October that promise to increase the survivability of stand-in jammers that will saturate and
25, 2018 it was announced the F-35 had coalition forces during future combined air neutralise the most sophisticated air
been selected by that country). The US operations in hostile airspace. defences. It promises to greatly increase
has been working since 2015 to ensure The ECR concept is a two-seater, with a the survivability of friendly aircraft,
that the improved B61-12 variant will be dedicated mission cockpit for the back- suppressing enemy air defences, and acting
compatible with existing NATO nuclear seater, including a new multi-function as a signifi cant force multiplier.
strike platforms, including Tornado. panoramic touch-screen display. It will be The ECR variant will use an AESA radar,
able to passively identify the location of but it may have the so-called Radar 2
ELECTRONIC ATTACK emitters and actively jam threats both in (MK2) being developed to meet British
In November 2019, Airbus revealed that a high-threat zone and at stand-o range requirements, and which will feature an
an Eurofi ghter ECR variant was under while potentially supporting attack aircraft integrated EW/EA capability. Germany is
development to meet the Luftwa e using a reconfi gurable integrated EW suite supporting the Radar 2 development stream.
requirement. The emphasis on electronic and a variety of modular confi gurations. An initial Eurofi ghter ECR capability
attack (EA) and the suppression/ Artist’s impressions showed an aircraft is due to be available by 2026 and will
destruction of enemy air defence (SEAD/ with large jamming pods on stations 5 subsequently be fully integrated into the
DEAD) may refl ect a growing belief that and 6 (the underwing pylons usually used wider FCAS project.

A Eurofi ghter from TaktLwG 73 blasts o for a training sortie. Germany is looking to expand
the air-to-ground capabilities of its Eurofi ghter fl eet. AirTeamImages.com/Jan Ostrowski

16 AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020

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