Airbus A320 ATRA completes flight tests with Eurofighter radar

Airbus has announced the successful completion of integration flight tests for the Eurofighter Common Radar System Mark 1 (ECRS Mk1) using a specially modified Airbus A320. Known as the A320 ATRA (Advanced Technology Research Aircraft), the testbed features a Eurofighter nose section integrated into the A320 fuselage.

The aircraft is currently operational at Airbus facilities in Manching, Germany. To accommodate the new radar, Airbus teams redesigned the forward fuselage and reinforced the structure. The modifications include hundreds of meters of data cables, as well as liquid and air cooling systems to manage radar temperatures. The cabin has been equipped with engineering workstations to allow real-time performance monitoring and software testing.

The A320 ATRA, which belongs to the German Aerospace Center (DLR), was chosen for these trials because it offers a simpler certification process and greater flight endurance compared to a standard Eurofighter. The ECRS Mk1 radar is being developed for Eurofighter fleets in Germany and Spain.