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After a long gestation, the active electronically scanned array (AESA, or e-scan) radar for the Eurofighter Typhoon is now in production with the Euroradar consortium of Leonardo (UK and Italy), Hensoldt (Germany), and Indra (Spain). Gulf region military forces are now among the export customers for this technology.Totally agree with all of that except the air superiority role. How on earth could it possibly be an air superiority platform when it doesn't have an AESA radar? People need to understand that AESA radars are a must in every modern flying platform because of the augmented capabilities in speed, target acquisition AND TRACKING at great distances and especially because of the rapid frequency hoping that AESA radars work with, they're almost impossible to jam.
I think the reason it was labeled that way is because when the 4 countries involved got together originally to design and build this aircraft and make it the "F-15 or Joint Fighter" of Europe, they decided to call it an air superiority fighter because AESA radars weren't that common and certainly not combat proven at the time. Things have since changed considerably and the designation of air superiority just stayed and never changed.
Probably, but the article never really claimed anything except they've been negotiating with the EAF for 3 years and an announcement would help Leonardo and Finmeccanica's cause with the merging and stocks etc.
Captor-E
The aircraft will initially be fitted with the same Mk0 radar as that supplied to Kuwait and Qatar, but the radars will subsequently be upgraded to Mk1 standards with a new digital multi-channel receiver and new transmitter/receiver modules (TRMs), which will be developed under the new €1.5 billion contract. Hensoldt will be the design authority for the new German Mk1 E-scan radar, while Airbus will carry equipment design responsibility. Leonardo will provide the necessary support to enable Hensoldt to assume its role and will continue to provide the processor for the new German radar, which will be assembled at Ulm in Germany, rather than at Leonardo’s Crewe Toll factory in Edinburgh.