New Electronically Scanned Array Radars for Airborne Applications

High performance fire control radars like CAPTOR for Eurofighter attain the limit of technical performance that can be realised by systems with mechanically scanned antennas. Today active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars are about to revolutionise the capabilities of state-of-the-art fighter aircraft. In the frame of different European activities towards E-Scan Radar the CAESAR (CAPTOR AESA Radar) demonstrator has successfully proven the capabilities of electronic beam steering during two flight trials campaigns, one on a BAC 1-11 test aircraft and one on the final Eurofighter platform. In a highly complex modern fighter, the pilot primarily needs two things: Minimum workload and maximum situational awareness. The AESA radar contributes to both: Workload is minimised by a high degree of automation and very high reliability. Situational awareness is improved through new capabilities such as combined air-to-air and air-to-surface operations as well as a very high jam resistance. Tracking of multiple targets will become even better with an AESA radar than the already impressive performance of CAPTOR. First results of a flight trials campaign of CAESAR aboard Euroflghter Development Aircraft DA5 are reported in this paper.