Helsing, a leading European defense technology firm, and Saab Germany will equip the German Eurofighter with a new Electronic Warfare (EW) system, for which Helsing will provide the Artificial Intelligence. The two companies have signed a contract worth several tens of millions of euros.
The contract stipulates that Helsing will supply its AI-based software, Cirra, for electronic warfare. Over the next three years, Cirra will be integrated by Helsing into Saab’s Arexis sensor suite on the Eurofighter.
The software and hardware of both companies will jointly enable the Eurofighter to conduct combat missions and destroy enemy air defense systems, including scenarios against modern air forces equipped with equivalent resources.
Initially, the Eurofighter will be enabled as an autonomous air capability. In the future, it will also enhance the capabilities of other Luftwaffe combat aircraft through collaborative data sharing.
Features of the Cirra Software
Helsing’s Cirra software addresses one of the most pressing problems in the aviation sector: adaptable and dynamic air defense radars. Cirra uses deep learning to classify unknown air defense emitters and understand their intentions.
The algorithms are executed directly on the combat aircraft, allowing real-time threat analysis and recognition of intentions, even in the presence of unknown emitters. Cirra thus significantly increases the survival of the fighters and provides full and accurate situational awareness to the personnel of allied air forces.
To demonstrate the system’s capabilities and reduce program risks, Helsing has integrated Cirra into a flying test bench over the past few months, and company-owned test and evaluation flights have been conducted.
The Partnership Between Saab and Helsing
In 2023, Saab Germany and Helsing were selected by the German Federal Ministry of Defense to equip 15 Luftwaffe Eurofighters with EW systems.
With the contract now concluded and the successful completion of the design phase in the past 18 months, the integration of the Arexis system into the Eurofighter will begin in collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space.
The new Eurofighters Ordered by the Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe has launched the Quadriga program, which includes the creation of 38 Eurofighter Tranche 4 and, subsequently, another 20 Eurofighter Tranche 5; these aircraft will allow the German air force to replace the operationally limited capacity Eurofighter Tranche 1 and a part of the end-of-life Tornado IDS.
The Luftwaffe’s Eurofighter Tranche 4 and 5 will be equipped with the ECRS Mk1 radar, an Electronic Scanning (AESA) radar developed by Hensoldt in collaboration with the Spanish Indra, which will also be used by the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio on the 45 new Eurofighter specimens ordered under the Halcon 1 and 2 programs.
Additionally, Airbus Defence and Space is developing the EW and suppression of enemy air defenses version of the Eurofighter, the EK, which will replace the Tornado ECR-DE in service with the Luftwaffe starting from 2030; at the moment 15 specimens have been ordered.
Source Helsing
Image credit @Airbus Defence and Space
