Contributor - UK

David Donald

Leonardo’s radar business has added a new AESA fighter radar product to its portfolio. The company has already developed the ES-05 Raven for the Gripen and—as part of the Euroradar consortium—Captor-E for the Typhoon, with active electronically scanned array (“E-scan”) technology, and now it is introducing the Grifo-E that could be adapted for applications that include light fighters and attack aircraft.

 


Italy's FIAR developed the initial Grifo mechanically-scanned (“M-scan”) radar before it came under the purview of Selex Galileo, then Selex ES, and now Leonardo (Outdoor Exhibit L1). A number of versions have been produced, tailored to match the requirements of individual aircraft types. More than 450 have been delivered to serve with six air forces. Among other applications, M-scan Grifo radars have been installed as part of upgrades for the Dassault Mirage III, Chengdu F-7, and Northrop F-5, as well as new equipment on the Aero L-159 ALCA.

 


Based on its experience with M-scan Grifo radars, Leonardo has developed the E-scan derivative to offer a wide range of modes and capabilities in a lightweight and cost-effective package. The nature of the E-scan antenna array, which is built up from hundreds of individual transmit/receive modules with no moving parts, makes it easier to adapt to the constraints imposed by differing nose profiles and radome dimensions of different aircraft types.

 


Leonardo expects the qualification of the Grifo-E to be concluded next year and could be ready to deliver production radars from 2020. The company noted that the elements within the Grifo-E are mature and proven, with the IP owned by the company. The latter makes the radar a readily exportable system. It has been developed by Leonardo’s facilities in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Nerviano, Italy.

 


In the meantime, Leonardo is showing the Grifo-346 M-scan radar installed in the M-346FA fighter attack derivative of the advanced trainer this week at the Farnborough Airshow, as is a standalone E-Scan system. The M-scan radar is at an advanced stage of integration and will provide a range of modes for air combat, surface attack, and navigation. Among the radar’s capabilities are synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and Inverse SAR, while in track-while-scan mode it can track up to 10 aerial targets simultaneously. Maximum range is greater than 92 km (50 nm).

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Leonardo Adds To AESA Radar Line-up

Leonardo has been a pioneer of AESA radar technology in Europe, and is adding a new AESA sensor–aimed primarily at light fighters.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Curt Epstein

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

Kerry Lynch

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Avionics

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals

Light jet now approved by Brazilian, U.S., and European regulators

Klatt Works Adds Gulfstream as Approved SAVED Supplier

Expands availability of company's oxygen-mask head-up display system

Honeywell Expands Guided Visual Approach List to 120

Improves safety when flying into challenging airports

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN