Airbus Details German Electronic Warfare Eurofighter Plans
Airbus Defence and Space has detailed its plans for an electronic warfare version of the Eurofighter for the German Air Force, after the German parliamentary budget committee approved funding for 15 of them.
The Eurofighter EK (Elektronischer Kampf, or Electronic Warfare) will be equipped with a transmitter location system from Saab to detect and locate hostile anti-aircraft radars, with Saab also providing self-protection jammers for the aircraft. To destroy hostile anti-aircraft radars, the EK will be equipped with Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile. Other technologies set to be integrated on the Eurofighter EK include an AI solution that can analyze collected radar data on-board and quickly determine precise self-protection measures required, with Airbus saying that the AI solution is one of several technologies developed by small and medium-sized enterprises and a start-up.
Following the budget committee’s approval, Airbus expects an official contract between prime contractor Eurofighter GmbH and NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) to integrate the electronic warfare solutions into the Eurofighter by the end of the year. The 15 Eurofighter EKs are to be NATO-certified by 2030, with Airbus saying that it is working with German military procurement agency BAAINbw, the Air Force and the Bundeswehr Aviation Office on a detailed timeline. The EK will then replace the German Air Force’s remaining Tornado Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance aircraft for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence missions.
“Electronic warfare and reconnaissance are an important NATO requirement: current conflicts and the present security situation show how important the two capabilities are,” says Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn. “In this respect, the German government’s decision to include such an important capability as electronic warfare in the Eurofighter capability portfolio is an important measure. EK will add this important capability to the already broad operational spectrum of the Eurofighter while strengthening European sovereignty and autonomy.”
The German government announced plans last year to replace its Tornado fleet with a mix of F-35As and electronic warfare Eurofighters, with the F-35As selected to replace the Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike) in the tactical nuclear delivery role.