Editing Eurofighter Typhoon (section)

===Radar and sensors===
====Captor radar====
{{main|Euroradar CAPTOR}}
[[File:ILA Berlin 2012 PD 193-2.JPG|thumb|CAPTOR-E demonstrator]]

The Euroradar Captor is a mechanical multi-mode pulse Doppler radar designed for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Eurofighter operates automatic Emission Controls (EMCON) to reduce the electro-magnetic emissions of the current CAPTOR mechanically scanned radar.<ref name="structure" /> The Captor-M has three working channels, one intended for classification of jammer and for jamming suppression.<ref name="CAPCHA" /> A succession of radar software upgrades have enhanced the air-to-air capability of the radar.<ref name="EFW0712" /> These upgrades have included the R2P programme (initially UK only, and known as T2P when 'ported' to the Tranche{{nbsp}}2 aircraft) which is being followed by R2Q/T2Q.<ref name="R2P" /> R2P was applied to eight German Typhoons deployed on Red Flag Alaska in 2012.

;Captor-E AESA variant
The [[Euroradar CAPTOR|Captor-E]] is an [[Active electronically scanned array|AESA]] derivative of the original Captor radar, also known as CAESAR (from Captor Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar) being developed by the Euroradar Consortium, led by Selex ES.

[[Synthetic Aperture Radar]] is expected to be fielded as part of the AESA radar upgrade which will give the Eurofighter an all-weather ground attack capability.<ref name="SAR" /> The conversion to AESA will also give the Eurofighter a [[low probability of intercept radar]] with improved jam resistance.<ref name="AESA1" /> These include an innovative design with a gimbal to meet RAF requirements for a wider scan field than a fixed AESA.<ref name="AESA2" /> The coverage of a fixed AESA is limited to 120° in azimuth and elevation.<ref name="AESA3" /> A senior EADS radar expert has claimed that Captor-E is capable of detecting an [[F-35]] from roughly {{convert|59|km}} away.<ref name="AESA4" />

The first flight of a Eurofighter equipped with a "mass model" of the Captor-E occurred in late February 2014, with flight tests of the actual radar beginning in July of that year.<ref name="AESA5" /> On 19 November 2014 the contract to upgrade to the Captor-E was signed at the offices of EuroRadar lead Selex ES in Edinburgh, in a deal worth €1bn.<ref name="AESA6" /> Kuwait became the launch customer for the Captor-E active electronically scanned array radar in April 2016.<ref name="AESA7" /> Germany has announced the intention to integrate the AESA Captor-E into their Typhoons, beginning in 2022.<ref name="AESA8" />

In January 2024, it was announced that the first European Common Radar System (ECRS) MK2 had been fitted to an RAF operated test and evaluation Typhoon ZK355 (BS116), at BAE Systems' site [[Warton Aerodrome|Warton]]. Leonardo and DE&S announced that the initial flight was scheduled to take place later in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Administrator |date=17 January 2024 |title=Cutting-edge Typhoon Radar embodied for first flight |url=https://des.mod.uk/cutting-edge-typhoon-radar-embodied-for-first-flight/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The AESA radar program for the Eurofighter is now split into three European Common Radar System (ECRS) variants:
*ECRS Mk0: also called Radar One Plus, this is the baseline Captor-E model which was developed by Leonardo. Hardware development is complete and it is fitted to aircraft delivered to Kuwait and Qatar.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=17 January 2022 |title=Leonardo to deliver R&D and core parts for ECRS Mk1 E-scan radar |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/leonardo-ecrs-mk1-e-scan-radar/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=Airforce Technology}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Smith |title=Electrifying Typhoon |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/feature/electrifying-typhoon |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=[[BAE Systems]]}}</ref>
*ECRS Mk1: an upgrade of the Mk0 being developed by [[Hensoldt]]/[[Indra Sistemas|Indra]], for Germany and Spain.<ref name="AESA9" /><ref name="AESA10" /> It will be retrofitted to their Tranche 2 and 3 aircraft, and also fitted to both countries' new Tranche 4 models.<ref name="AESA14" /><ref name="AESA17" /><ref name="20T4" />
*ECRS Mk2: also known as Radar Two, a different version developed from the ARTS and Bright Adder demonstrators, and from the [[Gripen]] E's ES-05 Raven radar.<ref name="AESA12"/> With [[electronic warfare]]/attack capabilities, it is being developed by Leonardo for the RAF, and integrated by BAE Systems. It will initially be applied to Tranche 3 aircraft, but the RAF may upgrade Tranche 2 later.<ref name="AESA11" /> Italy has joined development of the ECRS Mk2,<ref name="AESA15" /><ref name="AESA16" /> which was part of the Typhoon offer to Finland for its [[HX Fighter Program]].<ref name="AESA14" />

====IRST{{Anchor|IRST}}====
{{main|EuroFIRST PIRATE}}

{{Anchor|PIRATE}}The Passive Infra-Red Airborne Track Equipment (PIRATE) system is an [[infrared search and track]] (IRST) system mounted on the port side of the fuselage, forward of the windscreen. Selex ES is the lead contractor which, along with [[Thales Optronics]] (system technical authority) and Tecnobit of Spain, make up the EUROFIRST consortium responsible for the system's design and development. Eurofighters starting with Tranche{{nbsp}}1 block{{nbsp}}5 have the PIRATE. The first Eurofighter Typhoon with PIRATE-IRST was delivered to the Italian [[Aeronautica Militare]] in August 2007.<ref name="PIRATE" /> More advanced targeting capabilities can be provided with the addition of a targeting pod such as the [[Litening]] pod.<ref name="AUSTERE2" />

[[File:Aeronautica Militare Typhoon IRST (27476944291).jpg|thumb|PIRATE IRST]]
When used with the radar in an air-to-air role, it functions as an infrared search and track system, providing passive target detection and tracking. The system can detect variations in temperature at a long range.<ref name="PIRATE2" /> It also provides a navigation and landing aid. PIRATE is linked to the pilot's [[helmet-mounted display]].<ref name="Airforce-TechEF2000" /> It allows the detection of both hot exhaust plumes of jet engines and surface heating caused by friction; processing techniques further enhance the output, giving a near-high resolution image of targets. The output can be directed to any of the Multi-function Head Down Displays, and can also be overlaid on both the Helmet Mounted Sight and the Head Up Display.

Up to 200 targets can be simultaneously tracked using one of several different modes; Multiple Target Track (MTT), Single Target Track (STT), Single Target Track Ident (STTI), Sector Acquisition and Slaved Acquisition. In MTT mode the system will scan a designated volume space looking for potential targets. In STT mode PIRATE will provide tracking of a single designated target. An addition to this mode, STT Ident allows for visual identification of the target, the resolution being superior to CAPTOR's. When in Sector Acquisition mode PIRATE will scan a volume of space under direction of another onboard sensor such as CAPTOR. In Slave Acquisition, off-board sensors are used with PIRATE being commanded by data obtained from an AWACS or other source. When a target is found in either of these modes, PIRATE will automatically designate it and switch to STT.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Once a target has been tracked and identified, PIRATE can be used to cue an appropriately equipped short range missile, i.e. a missile with a high off-boresight tracking capability such as ASRAAM. Additionally the data can be used to augment that of Captor or off-board sensor information via the AIS. This should enable the Typhoon to overcome severe ECM environments and still engage its targets.<ref name="Paul S. Owen" /> PIRATE also has a passive ranging capability<ref name="PIRATE3" /> although the system remains limited when providing passive firing solutions, as it does not have a [[laser rangefinder]].