The Eurofighter Radar Mk1 Consortium partners, HENSOLDT and Indra, have completed production of the first ECRS Mk1 radars incorporating advanced subsystems for the Processor and the Antenna Power Supply & Control (APSC).
The ECRS Mk1 (Eurofighter Common Radar System Mark 1) is the next-generation radar system for the Eurofighter, to be fielded by the German and Spanish air forces. Based on a multi-channel AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) and a high-end processor, the ECRS Mk1 will significantly enhance the Eurofighter’s capabilities. Airbus is responsible for the production of the aircraft for both air forces.
Designed to support a full spectrum of fighter missions—including advanced air-to-air, high-resolution air-to-ground, and both passive and active electronic warfare—the ECRS Mk1 was contracted in 2020. In April 2024, the defence ministries of Germany and Spain decided to introduce enhanced Processor and APSC subsystems into the Mk1 Step 1 configuration.
“In less than 13 months, we have completed the production of the first radars with this new hardware, and a comprehensive assessment phase is already well advanced,” said Dr William Gautier, Technical Director Eurofighter Radar at HENSOLDT. “The new APSC and Processor give Mk1 a significant performance boost—enabling ultra-fast mode switching, real-time mission flexibility, and paving the way for future autonomous, task-based, and AI-supported operations. This hardware is integrated with a robustly refactored software suite that fully leverages AESA multi-channel technology. Thanks to its modern architecture, the ECRS Mk1 is designed for long-term sustainability by our customers.”
Borja Miño, Technical Director Eurofighter Radar at Indra, added: “The new processor architecture delivers major improvements, including increased computational throughput, enhanced parallel processing, and support for advanced signal processing algorithms. These upgrades not only improve current radar performance but also provide the necessary headroom for future software evolutions and sensor fusion capabilities.”
The first radar units will undergo extensive qualification and flight testing, including trials on Germany’s ATRA Flying Testbed. Mk1 Step 1 will demonstrate its capabilities in flight throughout the first half of 2025.
Following successful evaluation and testing, HENSOLDT and Indra aim to begin series production of Mk1 Step 1 in summer 2025. The radar will be installed on the Eurofighter Quadriga aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space in Manching, Germany.
Mk1 Step 1 will deliver robust air-to-air performance for the German and Spanish air forces. Subsequent software upgrades will evolve the radar into a full multi-role sensor, incorporating air-to-ground and electronic warfare capabilities. These developments will also enable task-based operations—reducing pilot workload while enhancing overall system performance.
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