New contract will see Leonardo continue to keep UK Typhoon Jets protected from threats

• A two year contract will see Leonardo lead the upgrade of the ‘Praetorian’ Defensive Aids Sub System for Eurofighter Typhoon jets operated by the Royal Air Force
• More than 500 Eurofighter Typhoons delivered to date are protected by the advanced and operationally-proven Praetorian system, allowing crews to detect, evaluate and counter threats at maximum range
• Leonardo provides more than 60 percent of the avionics for the Typhoon and is leading the development of the new electronically-scanning ‘Captor-E’ radar

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Leonardo has welcomed a contract between NETMA and Eurofighter for a Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) capability upgrade for the UK’s Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets. The two-year, €45M (£40M) contract, which includes capability work by Leonardo, integration activities by BAE Systems and Ministry of Defence trials, will see the Typhoon’s 'Praetorian' DASS upgraded in order to meet the Royal Air Force’s future operational requirements. The contract is part of a continuous capability upgrade to ensure UK Typhoons can identify and defeat known and emerging threats.

Praetorian is a suite of protective electronic systems installed inside the Typhoon, which includes sensors and countermeasures, that seamlessly work together to defend the jets from a variety of threats. Leonardo leads the EuroDASS consortium (which also includes HENSOLDT, Elettronica and Indra) to provide the Praetorian system, which is a baseline system on the more than 500 Eurofighter Typhoons delivered to date. A majority of the UK’s new capability enhancement contract will be carried out by Leonardo at its electronic warfare centre in Luton, UK, while integration work and airworthiness clearances will be carried out by the UK’s Typhoon prime contractor BAE Systems in Warton, UK.

More than 599 Typhoon jets have been ordered, most recently by Kuwait who contracted with Leonardo in 2016 to procure 28 aircraft. Kuwait will receive the latest (P3E) standard of the Typhoon which will include the Praetorian DASS.

Overall, Leonardo provides more than 60 percent of the avionics for the Typhoon, including leading the consortia responsible for providing the aircraft’s radar and infrared search and track (IRST) system. The company is responsible for around 36% of the Typhoon’s overall programme value, which includes parts of the aircraft’s structure, avionics and on-board electronics. 

In a further technology development, Leonardo is currently leading the EuroRADAR consortium in the development of the Captor-E (E-Scan) radar for Typhoon. The new AESA radar will further enhance the capability of the aircraft by providing a 60 percent wider field of regard. Kuwait will be the first Typhoon operator to receive the new radar, in line with initial deliveries to the nation.