The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has been operating a modified Airbus A320, known as the Advanced Technology Research Aircraft (ATRA), which recently completed its first flight with a unique modification: the nose of a Eurofighter combat jet. The modified A320 is being used to test and mature a new radar system destined for Eurofighter combat aircraft.
Photo: Airbus
The A320 ATRA is not just any commercial airliner. Airbus engineers from Manching developed and assembled the Eurofighter nose specifically for this test aircraft. The modification was necessary to house the new AESA-MK1 radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array), which is at the heart of this project. Airbus Defence and Space, along with Airbus Commercial Aircraft engineers and mechanics, redesigned the entire front section and reinforced the A320’s airframe to ensure the safe accommodation of the new nose and its associated equipment. All of these structural changes were carried out under the proper procedures of the type-certification holder, Airbus Commercial Aircraft in Toulouse.
The AESA-MK1 radar is not merely an upgrade; it is a critical component for the next generation of Eurofighter jets. The radar is slated for integration into the latest Spanish “Halcón I” and German “Quadriga” Eurofighters. The new radar will improve the Eurofighter’s capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, while adding electronic warfare functionality. The radar development is a key step in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness of these fighter aircraft.
A key question is why use an A320 for radar testing rather than a Eurofighter? The answer lies in the A320 ATRA’s operational advantages. According to Airbus E-Scan radar project manager Thomas Hirsch, the A320 ATRA has a significantly shorter clearance process and can stay in the air for much longer periods than a Eurofighter. This is crucial as it allows for earlier, quicker, and more extensive testing in a real-life environment. The use of the A320 as a flying testbed speeds up the radar development process, avoiding some of the limitations and high costs associated with using a fighter jet. The modified A320 ATRA performed high speed taxi tests prior to its first flight.
The A320-232 D-ATRA has been in service for the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) since late 2008, and is the largest aircraft in its fleet. The Advanced Technology Research Aircraft (ATRA) is a flexible and modern flight research platform that is setting new benchmarks for airborne test vehicles in European aeronautics research. The ATRA is equipped with a basic Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) system, which records aircraft data and transfers it to experimental systems. This system is constantly being developed to expand the aircraft’s range of applications. The ATRA is used in a variety of research areas such as testing of aeroelastic measurement methods, interior acoustics, airflow noise, and aerodynamic measurements on the wings and empennage, all with the aim of saving fuel. It is also used in testing the latest measurement techniques such as Image Pattern Correlation Technique (IPCT), detection of wake vortices, engine measurements, research into alternative fuels, and the testing of navigation and communication technologies. In addition, the platform is used to improve the latest pilot assistance systems, test modern display technologies, research low-noise approach and departure procedures, and study pilot workload and work distribution.
DLR, CC-BY 3.0, CC BY 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
The Airbus A320 ‘D-ATRA’ has a length of 37.57 metres, a height of 11.76 metres, and a wingspan of 34.10 metres. The aircraft has an unladen weight of 42.3 tonnes and a maximum take-off weight of 75.5 tonnes. It is powered by two International Aero Engine V2500 engines, each providing 111 kilonewtons of thrust. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 840 kilometres per hour and can fly for up to seven hours with a fuel capacity of approximately 24,000 litres. While it has a maximum seating capacity of 179, it is currently used as a flying test bed.
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