Home reports air New generation of the Praetorian self-protection system for Eurofighter presented

Die Elemente der DASS Praetorian sind auf dem gesamten Flugzeug verteilt._Grafik_EuroDASS — DASS Praetorian elements are distributed throughout the aircraft. (Graphic: EuroDASS)

New generation of the Praetorian self-protection system for Eurofighter presented

July 18, 2023

At the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in Fairford, England, from July 14 to 16, Leonardo presented the new generation of the Praetorian self-protection system for the Eurofighter, which is known as the Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) in Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) in the fighter planes are to be installed.

The EuroDASS consortium with Leonardo, the ELT Group, Indra and Hensoldt has further developed Praetorian according to user requirements and integrated it into a Piper Navajo test aircraft. In the consortium Leonardo is responsible for the integration of the components and the final acceptance. Hensoldt leads the development of the digital receiver and Indra has taken over the extension of the frequency band. The ELT Group contributes improvements to electronic countermeasures and WTP coolers.

Nach Darstellung von Leonardo erhöht die jüngste Weiterentwicklung die Überlebensfähigkeit des Flugzeugs und legt den Grundstein für die Integration des Verteidigungssystems mit den hochleistungsfähigen E-Scan-Radaren des Eurofighter Typhoon. Dies schließe alle Versionen des E-Scan-Radare ein, d.h. sowohl die bereits im Einsatz befindlichen als auch die Varianten, die derzeit von den Eurofighter-Partnerländern entwickelt werden.

The existing DASS, named after the elite Roman bodyguard unit Praetorian, protects the Eurofighter from threats such as infrared (IR/heat) and radar-guided missiles, Leonardo continued. The sensors and jammers integrated into the system provide the pilot with situational awareness and equip the aircraft with a digital cloaking capability achieved through advanced electronic decoy techniques.

Leonardo writes that the new capabilities, which are already in an advanced stage of development, include a digital receiver that will make it possible to better recognize modern and complex targets and how they work and to take the appropriate countermeasures. The upgrade also includes an extension of the frequency band, enabling the Eurofighter to operate in the increasingly complex, congested and competitive electromagnetic combat space of the future.

Improved signal processing algorithms and processor capacities lead to significant advances in processing speed, capabilities and storage space, Leonardo describes. This allows the Praetorian system to be optimally integrated with the Eurofighters' E-Scan radar options, including the new ECRS currently under development. The latest radar options have a powerful electronic attack capability and complement the onboard jamming of the Praetorian system for high overall impact.

According to the information, the first flight tests of the DASS Praetorian on board the Piper Navajo will take place immediately after the RIAT. The suite will then be scaffolded into a Eurofighter test aircraft for in-flight testing beginning in early 2024.

With Praetorian eVolution, the EuroDASS consortium has already proposed a roadmap for the future further development of the self-protection system. The aim is to maintain the high level of protection of the Eurofighters over the coming decades. New capabilities include cross-platform electronic warfare, high-precision targeting, and advanced combat ID.

Editors / gwh

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