Announced by the company on 17 February, the technology demonstrator programme (TDP) includes the "development and build of a first of type, multi-function, wide-field-of-regard AESA radar providing increased capability and performance when compared to conventional AESA fire control radar systems".
Although Selex Galileo said that the AESA TDP is earmarked for "future UK platforms", the Royal Air Force (RAF) has shown considerable interest in recent years in acquiring the technology for its Typhoon force.
Edinburgh-based Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems UK is already developing an AESA radar for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen NG and this is the main reason why the UK government has thrown its backing behind that aircraft's bid to secure the Brazilian F-X2 fighter replacement competition.
With regard to the Vixen 1000E/ES05 Raven AESA radar being developed for the Gripen, Air Marshal Nigel Maddox of the RAF said in November 2009 that "any programme that de-risks the UK [Typhoon AESA] radar has to be fantastic.
"It's win-win," he added.
A key-element of the Vixen 1000E/ES05 Raven AESA, which distinguishes it from most other European- and US-developed AESA systems, is its electrically driven swashplate. This allows it to cover a total scan angle of ±100 degrees compared to 60-70 degrees for most current systems, allowing the aircraft to perform a large turn away from the target after launching a missile while maintaining missile support.
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