EADS is exploring the potential adaptation of its prototype Euro Hawk electronic intelligence (ELINT) sensor payload for use as a more capable electronic support measures (ESM) suite aboard large military transport aircraft. An initial focus for the effort is Europe's A400M programme, and preliminary discussions were held earlier this year with the aircraft's developer, Airbus Military.
The ELINT payload would effectively be dual role, operating both as a highly sensitive radar warning receiver in an integrated self-protection system and also providing an enhanced tactical threat picture to the aircraft's pilots. EADS says the adaptation could also have potential application for future upgrades to NATO's Boeing E-3A Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft.
The ESM version would require the development of an airborne controller system and - depending on the host aircraft's space and weight provisions - possibly new antenna configurations.
However, the company says its development priority remains to support the German air force's future acquisition of the planned Euro Hawk signals intelligence unmanned air vehicle, which is based on the Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk. A prototype of EADS's ELINT payload was test flown aboard a US Air Force RQ-4A during a series of test flights late last year (Flight International, 11-17 November 2003). A production version of this payload is now under development by its Defence Electronics operating unit in Germany.
EADS says development of a pre-production version of a revised four-channel broadband digital receiver has been completed, with testing about to start. New pre-production antennas are also expected to complete development late this year, it says.
EADS Defence Electronics is already under contract to provide a new mission information system for NATO's AWACS fleet.
PETER LA FRANCHI / ULM
Source: Flight International
