What is the Eurofighter Captor-E Radar? HENSOLDT’s Role in EURORADAR
The Eurofighter Typhoon’s combat effectiveness ultimately depends on its radar. The Captor-E AESA — developed by the EURORADAR consortium under Leonardo’s lead, with HENSOLDT as the German industrial partner — represents Europe’s most ambitious airborne radar program.
Product Identity
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Program name | Captor-E / ECRS Mk1 |
| Consortium | EURORADAR |
| Lead company | Leonardo (Italy) |
| Other partners | HENSOLDT (Germany), Indra (Spain) |
| HENSOLDT’s role | Radar units for Germany’s Eurofighter fleet |
| Technology | AESA |
| Platform | Eurofighter Typhoon |
| Users | Germany, UK, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia |
System and HENSOLDT’s Role
Early Eurofighter production (Tranche 1 and 2) used the mechanically scanned Captor-M radar. The Captor-E AESA — also designated ECRS Mk1 — defines the upgrade standard for Tranche 3+ aircraft. HENSOLDT produces and integrates the radar units for the German Luftwaffe’s Typhoon fleet within the EURORADAR consortium framework.
ECRS Mk2, developed specifically for the UK’s Typhoons, incorporates a much broader electronic warfare integration capability — a program in which HENSOLDT also provides technical contributions.
Competitor AESA Radars
| System | Platform | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| AN/APG-81 | F-35 | Northrop Grumman |
| AN/APG-79 | F/A-18E/F | Raytheon |
| RBE2-AA | Rafale | Thales |
