Edinburgh based Leonardo has confirmed it is working closely with the RAF to push forward innovation to reduce carbon emissions in its radar programme.
The aerospace engineering company is working to improve the quick reaction alert used in Typhoon aircraft to protect British air space.
Currently being developed by Leonardo at its sites in Edinburgh and Luton, with integration work being performed by BAE Systems in Warton.
The Typhoon’s new ECRS Mk2 is claimed to be the most advanced fighter radar in the world when it comes into service.
Leonardo is also developing the radar using new digital engineering techniques to boost efficiency in capability development and support.
It also means less test flights will be required before the radar goes into service and therefore less carbon will be emitted during the development programme.
Ross Wilson, head of engineering at Leonardo in Edinburgh, said: “An increased use of digital techniques and data driven technology leads to reduced physical testing, reduced test flights, reduced rework and reduced equipment sets, all of which contribute to a reduced carbon footprint across the development programme.”
The new tools and technologies Leonardo is using in the radar’s development include digital twinning and model-driven engineering.
“When it goes into service, the ECRS Mk2 will also be able to use what we call mission-loadable elements, which are data and applications which can be quickly uploaded to the radar.
"The thinking behind this is that we want to make upgrading a radar much less complex than before and more like downloading an app to your smartphone. These can be used to upgrade the system in the field while out on operations. We can test these elements first using advanced digital modelling, again reducing the need for test flights and keeping emissions down.”
Leonardo, BAE Systems and RAF team members have also been working together to upskill in the digital domain, with some RAF personnel working on site in Edinburgh’s roof lab to accelerate its adaptation of new techniques.
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