Meggitt has signed contracts for advanced radar technology on the RAF Typhoon fighter jet and the supply of fuel bladders for the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia for the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The company, which specialises in high performance components and subsystems for aerospace and defence markets, secured a £4.2 million contract with BAE Systems for the supply of innovative nose radome technology to enable the effective operation of a pioneering.
Multi-function array radar system on the Typhoon
The contract with the Defense Logistics Agency in Philadelphia uses polyurethane technology to create a lightweight, highly flexible, durable and maintenance-free fuel bladder. The contract is valued at around $5.5 million with deliveries scheduled to commence this month. The fuel bladder’s self-sealing properties have proved fundamental in safeguarding both crew and aircraft from the impact of ground fire, ensuring a safe return to base.
Technologies will equip Typhoons with electronic warfare capability
The UK has committed to developing technologies which will equip RAF Typhoons with a world-leading electronic warfare capability, in addition to traditional radar functions, including wide band electronic attack. BAE Systems and Leonardo are on contract to deliver the European Common Radar Systems Mk 2 (ECRS Mk 2) which equips RAF pilots with the ability to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defences using high-powered jamming.
As part of BAE Systems programme, Meggitt has used its advanced composite expertise to design a new higher and broader bandwidth radome to protect the instrumentation from environmental effects, prevent electromagnetic interference whilst being aerodynamically stable and highly transmissive for the AESA radar system’s operational modes.
Chris Allen, President of Meggitt’s Airframe division, said, “This next generation radar will provide game-changing capabilities to the Typhoon. Our Stevenage facility is a specialist site for this class of cutting-edge radome development and manufacture. We are so proud to be associated with this programme, working with BAE Systems and Leonardo to meet the future ongoing operational needs of the RAF.”
