Anyone who cares? Export book is not afaik the only (or even best) metrics for a military aircraft. Best metrics are do it fits the needs? Properly adress the operational requirements? Is its functionment nominal? At what cost (economical and political)? Etc. you do not buy a weapon to have the same as your neighbour but to have the one that fits your needs.
MMRCA 2.0 - Updates and Discussions
- Thread starter Picdelamirand-oil
- Start date
From the beginning Rafale was torpedoed by the US administration...
But since the first export order, in 2015, the real export life of the Rafale is open.
96 units in 3 years.
You can be sure it's only the beginning, because it's a real swiss knife, it's a mature and combat proven plane, it has a very strong road map for the future, and because uncle Donald will act as a repulsiv for any futur US arm deal for some.
Rafale F4 Standard
As part of a spiral development, the MoD and Dassault Aviation recently announced the launch of Standard F4, the next major step for the Rafale programme. The Rafale was conceived from the outset with ‘evolutivity’ in mind, and its weapon system is designed in such a way as to facilitate upgrades. The Standard F4 development strategy is based on four pillars that cover interconnectivity, combat engagement/sensors, armament upgrades, and support/availability. Formal development of the new Standard F4 will begin in 2018, but risk-reduction studies will be launched this year.
“Standard F4 will be even more ambitious than F3R,” explained the programme director. “While F3R is mainly restricted to software upgrades, new hardware will be required for the far-reaching F4, even though the airframe will remain unchanged. In practice, F4 will be split into F4.1, for older, in-service aircraft, and F4.2, for new-build airframes. F4.1 will be limited to a number of improvements only in order to avoid complex hardware changes, but F4.1 will accept the new Rafale weapons now being developed. F4.2 will include the whole package of upgrades for the radar, the electronic warfare suite, the Front Sector Optronics and the cockpit to accommodate a helmet-mounted display (HMD).
“All Tranche 4 aircraft – the 28 airframes to be delivered in 2021-23, and all Tranche 5 Rafales will be delivered as F4.2 aircraft. Standard F4 development will take about six years, with service entry due in 2025, but some systems will find their way into the inventory earlier, as soon as they are ready, using a building-block approach thanks to software upgrades.”
Communications advances
With the advent of the F4 Standard, the Rafale will be equipped with the new Thales Contact software radios that will be widely fielded across the French Armed Forces in the next couple of years. These new-generation radios will remain fully compatible with legacy radio waves and should be tested on the Rafale as early as 2020.
The Rafale will also be fitted with a new point-to-point, directional, discreet, high-speed fighter data link to be used exclusively for communications and data exchange within a Rafale patrol. This will use a new three-dimensional waveform (FO3D, or Forme d’Onde 3 Dimensions) generated by digital signal processing using dedicated antennas for the required bandwidths and the expected data flow. This new fighter data link will supplement – and not replace – the current Link 16. Accordingly, the Rafale’s core avionics system will have to be modified to accommodate the two data link systems that will operate alongside each other (although they will not be linked).
The architecture of the internal network will have to be modified for it to become even more resistant to cyber attack. The CAPOEIRA (Connectivité Améliorée Pour les Evolutions du Rafale, or improved connectivity for the Rafale’s future variants) research programme has recently been launched to help determine what sort of architecture will be required for a future, totally secure navigation and attack system. In 2015, as part of an urgent operational requirement, the French Air Warfare Centre integrated a satellite communication (satcom) system into the Rafale. “This system will not be kept on the Rafale,” the programme director added. “The future military satcom will be encrypted, fully secure and impossible to intercept thanks to a military-grade antenna and a hardened modem. It will enable the Rafale to activate a communication relay mode between fighters and troops on the ground on one side, and higher echelons on the other.”
Radar and Spectra upgrades
The current Thales RBE2 AESA radar will be further improved. It will benefit from the introduction of two new air-tosurface modes: a ground moving target indicator (GMTI), to detect and track moving targets over land, and a UHR (ultra high resolution) mode, to replace the current HR functionality for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, offering superior radar image quality at very long distances. The ability to interleave radar modes will be enhanced, thus helping provide aircrews with even better situational awareness.
The Spectra electronic warfare/selfprotection suite produced by Thales and MBDA is fully integrated. It is composed of a wide range of systems: a Détecteur d’Alerte Radar (DAR, or radar warning receiver), a Détecteur d’Alerte Laser (DAL, or laser warner), a Détecteur de Départ Missile (DDM or DDM NG, or missile launch detector), a high-power radar jammer, and decoy dispensers that can launch a range of flares and chaff.
Over the coming months, Spectra will be improved, with bandwidth extensions for the detectors and jammers to cover lower and higher frequency bands, thus providing an instantaneous reaction against any type of pop-up threat. “Our objective here is to obtain extremely accurate RF emitter geolocation and 3D tracking, including of airborne radars,” said the programme director. “The capabilities of a single Rafale to locate and track a threat without resorting to traditional, but timeconsuming, methods of triangulation or of bearing measurements along the aircraft’s flight path will be significantly improved. It is a very important step forward, and the recent progresses made by Spectra will boost the capabilities of the Rafale in that field.”
Advanced weaponry
New variants of current weapons will be modernised for the updated Rafale, including the Scalp cruise missile, the Mica air-toair missile and the Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) precision weapon. The new weapons will be introduced incrementally, through software upgrades. In February 2017 it was announced that the British and the French defence ministries had signed contracts with MBDA to upgrade the remaining Scalp/Storm Shadow stealth cruise missiles in service on both sides of the Channel.
Under the deal, MBDA will refurbish the missiles and carry out a limited upgrade to sustain the weapon until its planned out-of-service date in the early 2030s. The first refurbished Scalp missile is due to be delivered back to the French Armed Forces in 2020. Scalp cruise missiles were first fired in combat from Rafales during the conflict in Libya, in 2011. The missile has also been successfully used operationally in Iraq and Syria. The Mica family of AAMs, which includes the infrared-guided Mica IR and the radarguided Mica EM, will be updated to Mica NG (New Generation) standard with, among other undisclosed systems, new seekers.
The MBDA Mica, which equips the Mirage 2000-5, the Mirage 2000-9, the Rafale and upgraded Mirage F1s, has met with considerable success. Moreover, a surface-to-air version, the Vertical Launch Mica (VL Mica), has been ordered by several foreign nations. Expanded Hammer family The Hammer family will be expanded, minimising the need to procure Paveway II/ III and Enhanced Paveway precision-guided bombs from the United States.
Three variants of the Safran Electronics & Defense Hammer precision weapon are in service: the SBU-38, with inertial/GPS guidance; the SBU-64, with a dual-mode inertial/GPS and infrared seeker; and the SBU-54, with laser guidance as well as the inertial/GPS kit. “We need to increase our stocks of precision weapons and we are committed to helping promote and support a national weapons industry,” the programme director stated. “A new, simplified Hammer variant is already being developed. This Block 4 variant will be fitted with a revised rear kit, without the rocket motor. The wings will be retained, and its aerodynamic shape and its weight and balance will remain unchanged to ease aeromechanical integration onto the Rafale.
Recent operational experience has proved that the rocket motor is not always required, and not always switched on in combat by French aircrews, especially for short-range engagements during close air support missions. In any case, we will retain the capability to produce both variants of the Hammer, the powered variant remaining available for stand-off attacks in high-threat environments. “Other improvements are high on the agenda, including a data link between the weapon and the Rafale, and new seekers to engage other types of targets, including fastmoving, highly mobile vehicles.
We have launched preliminary studies to develop heavier variants of the Hammer to eventually replace the current inventory of 500kg-class GBU-16 Paveway II and 1,000kg-class GBU- 24 Paveway III laser-guided bombs. “Priority is likely to be given to the 1,000kg variant. A new rear kit will probably have to be designed, but every effort will be made to keep changes to an absolute minimum, most current components being reused, including the seekers and guidance systems.” A new, dual-mode seeker was exhibited by Safran at the Paris Air Show in June 2015.
GaN technology
Thales and the DGA are actively preparing the future radar developments that will be introduced on Standard F4.2, incorporating cutting-edge Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology for the radar and jammer antennas. Thanks to additional radar apertures, detection capabilities will be unmatched and electronic attack capabilities will become a reality. The programme director explained: “Even though we are entirely satisfied with the current RBE2 AESA radar, we are already working on the next generation scheduled to appear on new-build aircraft in 2025. “For the same volume, GaN technology will offer an expanded bandwidth, more radiated power and an even easier ability to switch from one mode to another, or from one functionality to another.
With the same antenna, we will be capable of generating combined, interleaved radar, jamming and electronic warfare modes as part of an electronic attack mission. “GaN emitters will not be restricted to the radar and they will also equip the Spectra suite. For example, for the antennas in the wing apexes, ahead of the canard foreplanes, we could obtain a very quick emission/reception cycle, either saving some volume or augmenting radiated power. On Tranche 5 Rafales, we will have at our disposal twice the amount of transmitted power for the radar and jamming antennas. Thales has already produced and tested in laboratories a series of GaN module prototypes for the new radar and initial testing results look extremely promising. “Following the entry into service of the AESA in 2013, the deliveries of the Meteor in 2018 will push the Rafale into a class of its own – we will be the only ones in the world operating a fighter equipped with an AESA and a ramjet-propelled missile – but we have to keep investing to maintain our leadership.
This is the reason why this GaN technological path is so important, especially for the development of additional emitting panels and apertures that will offer extended radar angular coverage. “It is not just an improvement; it is a real technological breakthrough in the field of detection. Jamming modes will not be left untouched and will push the Rafale’s electronic warfare capabilities to unprecedented levels thanks to the introduction of what we call ‘smart jamming’, with a wider band coverage and GaN emitters from 2025. These capabilities will be further expanded thanks to the adoption of MFAs [Multi-Function Arrays].” The Rafale’s Front Sector Optronics (FSO) will be fitted with a new-generation infrared search and track (IRST) sensor optimised for the tracking of air targets, either alone, or in conjunction with the RBE2 radar.
Changes in the cockpit
Although the Rafale’s man-machine interface is lauded by pilots, its cockpit will not be left untouched, with new, larger, lateral touchscreens to be adopted. Because the existing working environment is well balanced, with ergonomics that have proved to be highly successful, the DGA and the industry will introduce only minor adjustments in the cockpit’s design, as part of an evolutionary process.
More importantly, a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) will find its way onto the Rafale, filling an operational gap: “The DGA has formally expressed a need in order for the industry to study our requirements. Our specifications are fully compatible with various systems from different providers. We have taken steps to ensure that all Mk16F ejection seats produced under licence in France by SEMMB [Société d’Exploitation des Matériels Martin-Baker, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran and Martin-Baker] since 2015 are capable of accommodating an HMD.”
Long-term future
Safran Military Engines constantly innovates and further develops the M88 turbofan. The programme director admitted: “Contrary to popular views, we are not going to create a new M88 variant rated at 9 tonnes/20,000lb of thrust, nor a new high-pressure core. Nevertheless, modifications to the engine calculator will help further improve component durability and engine availability. M88 technology will gradually evolve in order to propel UCAVs [unmanned combat aerial vehicles], and the Rafale will eventually benefit from these technological advances, but not until the advent of the MLU [midlife upgrade] variant.” Future Rafale variants will benefit from the multiple research programmes launched by the DGA.
These include the extremely secretive DEDIRA (Démonstrateur de Discrétion du Rafale, Rafale discretion demonstrator), which focuses on new and innovative processes to improve the airframe’s lowobservable qualities against air-defence radars and fighter air-intercept radars. “We are currently having discussions with the Armée de l’Air and the Marine Nationale regarding their future operational needs and requirements,” the programme director confirmed. “Many options are being scrutinised, from the development of a UCAV to an increase in the number of Rafales.
Nothing has been decided yet. What I can tell you is that we will not alter the Rafale’s airframe if we do not need to and that we will keep its proven aerodynamic shape. “The Rafale retains a huge growth potential, especially regarding the size of the radar antennas and the dimensions and weighs of its weapons. We might adopt radar cross-section reduction kits, but without radically modifying the airframe. We will keep all options open.
For example, we are considering the possibility of increasing the number of decoys carried by the fighter. In this respect, a DIRCM [directional infrared countermeasures] turret used to generate a laser jamming signal to defeat an incoming missile could well find its way onto the Rafale.”
With such a clear roadmap ahead and with the recent successes on the export market, the Rafale’s long-term future is assured. Dassault Aviation and its partners are constantly investing to make sure their fighter remains at the forefront of technology. The future upgrades to be implemented on the Rafale are ambitious and far-reaching. They represent a clear technological breakthrough in several fields, utilising a fully mature, combatproven airframe that offers a considerable growth potential.
As part of a spiral development, the MoD and Dassault Aviation recently announced the launch of Standard F4, the next major step for the Rafale programme. The Rafale was conceived from the outset with ‘evolutivity’ in mind, and its weapon system is designed in such a way as to facilitate upgrades. The Standard F4 development strategy is based on four pillars that cover interconnectivity, combat engagement/sensors, armament upgrades, and support/availability. Formal development of the new Standard F4 will begin in 2018, but risk-reduction studies will be launched this year.
“Standard F4 will be even more ambitious than F3R,” explained the programme director. “While F3R is mainly restricted to software upgrades, new hardware will be required for the far-reaching F4, even though the airframe will remain unchanged. In practice, F4 will be split into F4.1, for older, in-service aircraft, and F4.2, for new-build airframes. F4.1 will be limited to a number of improvements only in order to avoid complex hardware changes, but F4.1 will accept the new Rafale weapons now being developed. F4.2 will include the whole package of upgrades for the radar, the electronic warfare suite, the Front Sector Optronics and the cockpit to accommodate a helmet-mounted display (HMD).
“All Tranche 4 aircraft – the 28 airframes to be delivered in 2021-23, and all Tranche 5 Rafales will be delivered as F4.2 aircraft. Standard F4 development will take about six years, with service entry due in 2025, but some systems will find their way into the inventory earlier, as soon as they are ready, using a building-block approach thanks to software upgrades.”
Communications advances
With the advent of the F4 Standard, the Rafale will be equipped with the new Thales Contact software radios that will be widely fielded across the French Armed Forces in the next couple of years. These new-generation radios will remain fully compatible with legacy radio waves and should be tested on the Rafale as early as 2020.
The Rafale will also be fitted with a new point-to-point, directional, discreet, high-speed fighter data link to be used exclusively for communications and data exchange within a Rafale patrol. This will use a new three-dimensional waveform (FO3D, or Forme d’Onde 3 Dimensions) generated by digital signal processing using dedicated antennas for the required bandwidths and the expected data flow. This new fighter data link will supplement – and not replace – the current Link 16. Accordingly, the Rafale’s core avionics system will have to be modified to accommodate the two data link systems that will operate alongside each other (although they will not be linked).
The architecture of the internal network will have to be modified for it to become even more resistant to cyber attack. The CAPOEIRA (Connectivité Améliorée Pour les Evolutions du Rafale, or improved connectivity for the Rafale’s future variants) research programme has recently been launched to help determine what sort of architecture will be required for a future, totally secure navigation and attack system. In 2015, as part of an urgent operational requirement, the French Air Warfare Centre integrated a satellite communication (satcom) system into the Rafale. “This system will not be kept on the Rafale,” the programme director added. “The future military satcom will be encrypted, fully secure and impossible to intercept thanks to a military-grade antenna and a hardened modem. It will enable the Rafale to activate a communication relay mode between fighters and troops on the ground on one side, and higher echelons on the other.”
Radar and Spectra upgrades
The current Thales RBE2 AESA radar will be further improved. It will benefit from the introduction of two new air-tosurface modes: a ground moving target indicator (GMTI), to detect and track moving targets over land, and a UHR (ultra high resolution) mode, to replace the current HR functionality for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, offering superior radar image quality at very long distances. The ability to interleave radar modes will be enhanced, thus helping provide aircrews with even better situational awareness.
The Spectra electronic warfare/selfprotection suite produced by Thales and MBDA is fully integrated. It is composed of a wide range of systems: a Détecteur d’Alerte Radar (DAR, or radar warning receiver), a Détecteur d’Alerte Laser (DAL, or laser warner), a Détecteur de Départ Missile (DDM or DDM NG, or missile launch detector), a high-power radar jammer, and decoy dispensers that can launch a range of flares and chaff.
Over the coming months, Spectra will be improved, with bandwidth extensions for the detectors and jammers to cover lower and higher frequency bands, thus providing an instantaneous reaction against any type of pop-up threat. “Our objective here is to obtain extremely accurate RF emitter geolocation and 3D tracking, including of airborne radars,” said the programme director. “The capabilities of a single Rafale to locate and track a threat without resorting to traditional, but timeconsuming, methods of triangulation or of bearing measurements along the aircraft’s flight path will be significantly improved. It is a very important step forward, and the recent progresses made by Spectra will boost the capabilities of the Rafale in that field.”
Advanced weaponry
New variants of current weapons will be modernised for the updated Rafale, including the Scalp cruise missile, the Mica air-toair missile and the Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) precision weapon. The new weapons will be introduced incrementally, through software upgrades. In February 2017 it was announced that the British and the French defence ministries had signed contracts with MBDA to upgrade the remaining Scalp/Storm Shadow stealth cruise missiles in service on both sides of the Channel.
Under the deal, MBDA will refurbish the missiles and carry out a limited upgrade to sustain the weapon until its planned out-of-service date in the early 2030s. The first refurbished Scalp missile is due to be delivered back to the French Armed Forces in 2020. Scalp cruise missiles were first fired in combat from Rafales during the conflict in Libya, in 2011. The missile has also been successfully used operationally in Iraq and Syria. The Mica family of AAMs, which includes the infrared-guided Mica IR and the radarguided Mica EM, will be updated to Mica NG (New Generation) standard with, among other undisclosed systems, new seekers.
The MBDA Mica, which equips the Mirage 2000-5, the Mirage 2000-9, the Rafale and upgraded Mirage F1s, has met with considerable success. Moreover, a surface-to-air version, the Vertical Launch Mica (VL Mica), has been ordered by several foreign nations. Expanded Hammer family The Hammer family will be expanded, minimising the need to procure Paveway II/ III and Enhanced Paveway precision-guided bombs from the United States.
Three variants of the Safran Electronics & Defense Hammer precision weapon are in service: the SBU-38, with inertial/GPS guidance; the SBU-64, with a dual-mode inertial/GPS and infrared seeker; and the SBU-54, with laser guidance as well as the inertial/GPS kit. “We need to increase our stocks of precision weapons and we are committed to helping promote and support a national weapons industry,” the programme director stated. “A new, simplified Hammer variant is already being developed. This Block 4 variant will be fitted with a revised rear kit, without the rocket motor. The wings will be retained, and its aerodynamic shape and its weight and balance will remain unchanged to ease aeromechanical integration onto the Rafale.
Recent operational experience has proved that the rocket motor is not always required, and not always switched on in combat by French aircrews, especially for short-range engagements during close air support missions. In any case, we will retain the capability to produce both variants of the Hammer, the powered variant remaining available for stand-off attacks in high-threat environments. “Other improvements are high on the agenda, including a data link between the weapon and the Rafale, and new seekers to engage other types of targets, including fastmoving, highly mobile vehicles.
We have launched preliminary studies to develop heavier variants of the Hammer to eventually replace the current inventory of 500kg-class GBU-16 Paveway II and 1,000kg-class GBU- 24 Paveway III laser-guided bombs. “Priority is likely to be given to the 1,000kg variant. A new rear kit will probably have to be designed, but every effort will be made to keep changes to an absolute minimum, most current components being reused, including the seekers and guidance systems.” A new, dual-mode seeker was exhibited by Safran at the Paris Air Show in June 2015.
GaN technology
Thales and the DGA are actively preparing the future radar developments that will be introduced on Standard F4.2, incorporating cutting-edge Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology for the radar and jammer antennas. Thanks to additional radar apertures, detection capabilities will be unmatched and electronic attack capabilities will become a reality. The programme director explained: “Even though we are entirely satisfied with the current RBE2 AESA radar, we are already working on the next generation scheduled to appear on new-build aircraft in 2025. “For the same volume, GaN technology will offer an expanded bandwidth, more radiated power and an even easier ability to switch from one mode to another, or from one functionality to another.
With the same antenna, we will be capable of generating combined, interleaved radar, jamming and electronic warfare modes as part of an electronic attack mission. “GaN emitters will not be restricted to the radar and they will also equip the Spectra suite. For example, for the antennas in the wing apexes, ahead of the canard foreplanes, we could obtain a very quick emission/reception cycle, either saving some volume or augmenting radiated power. On Tranche 5 Rafales, we will have at our disposal twice the amount of transmitted power for the radar and jamming antennas. Thales has already produced and tested in laboratories a series of GaN module prototypes for the new radar and initial testing results look extremely promising. “Following the entry into service of the AESA in 2013, the deliveries of the Meteor in 2018 will push the Rafale into a class of its own – we will be the only ones in the world operating a fighter equipped with an AESA and a ramjet-propelled missile – but we have to keep investing to maintain our leadership.
This is the reason why this GaN technological path is so important, especially for the development of additional emitting panels and apertures that will offer extended radar angular coverage. “It is not just an improvement; it is a real technological breakthrough in the field of detection. Jamming modes will not be left untouched and will push the Rafale’s electronic warfare capabilities to unprecedented levels thanks to the introduction of what we call ‘smart jamming’, with a wider band coverage and GaN emitters from 2025. These capabilities will be further expanded thanks to the adoption of MFAs [Multi-Function Arrays].” The Rafale’s Front Sector Optronics (FSO) will be fitted with a new-generation infrared search and track (IRST) sensor optimised for the tracking of air targets, either alone, or in conjunction with the RBE2 radar.
Changes in the cockpit
Although the Rafale’s man-machine interface is lauded by pilots, its cockpit will not be left untouched, with new, larger, lateral touchscreens to be adopted. Because the existing working environment is well balanced, with ergonomics that have proved to be highly successful, the DGA and the industry will introduce only minor adjustments in the cockpit’s design, as part of an evolutionary process.
More importantly, a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) will find its way onto the Rafale, filling an operational gap: “The DGA has formally expressed a need in order for the industry to study our requirements. Our specifications are fully compatible with various systems from different providers. We have taken steps to ensure that all Mk16F ejection seats produced under licence in France by SEMMB [Société d’Exploitation des Matériels Martin-Baker, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran and Martin-Baker] since 2015 are capable of accommodating an HMD.”
Long-term future
Safran Military Engines constantly innovates and further develops the M88 turbofan. The programme director admitted: “Contrary to popular views, we are not going to create a new M88 variant rated at 9 tonnes/20,000lb of thrust, nor a new high-pressure core. Nevertheless, modifications to the engine calculator will help further improve component durability and engine availability. M88 technology will gradually evolve in order to propel UCAVs [unmanned combat aerial vehicles], and the Rafale will eventually benefit from these technological advances, but not until the advent of the MLU [midlife upgrade] variant.” Future Rafale variants will benefit from the multiple research programmes launched by the DGA.
These include the extremely secretive DEDIRA (Démonstrateur de Discrétion du Rafale, Rafale discretion demonstrator), which focuses on new and innovative processes to improve the airframe’s lowobservable qualities against air-defence radars and fighter air-intercept radars. “We are currently having discussions with the Armée de l’Air and the Marine Nationale regarding their future operational needs and requirements,” the programme director confirmed. “Many options are being scrutinised, from the development of a UCAV to an increase in the number of Rafales.
Nothing has been decided yet. What I can tell you is that we will not alter the Rafale’s airframe if we do not need to and that we will keep its proven aerodynamic shape. “The Rafale retains a huge growth potential, especially regarding the size of the radar antennas and the dimensions and weighs of its weapons. We might adopt radar cross-section reduction kits, but without radically modifying the airframe. We will keep all options open.
For example, we are considering the possibility of increasing the number of decoys carried by the fighter. In this respect, a DIRCM [directional infrared countermeasures] turret used to generate a laser jamming signal to defeat an incoming missile could well find its way onto the Rafale.”
With such a clear roadmap ahead and with the recent successes on the export market, the Rafale’s long-term future is assured. Dassault Aviation and its partners are constantly investing to make sure their fighter remains at the forefront of technology. The future upgrades to be implemented on the Rafale are ambitious and far-reaching. They represent a clear technological breakthrough in several fields, utilising a fully mature, combatproven airframe that offers a considerable growth potential.
Any idea if the Phalcon and MKI will be able to communicate with the Rafale's new datalink?
This is a description of the French F-4, we know that IAF, want all its Rafale to be F-4.2, but the first Rafale will be with an Indian standard derived from F-3R with specific Indian modifications, among this one there is "cold start" and "hot weather" the later meaning certainly an increase of the thrust. To be F-4.2 capable these Rafale will have to be upgraded.
For the Phalcon and MKI to be able to communicate fully with the new data link, they need to get "contact" the new Thales software radio or something similar that is to say directional, discreet, high-speed and able to use a three-dimensional waveform.
SCAF: France, leading nation on the project
The French and German Army Ministers sign a letter of intent designating France as the leading country on the joint air combat system of the future.
Another important step in the will of France and Germany to act in the construction of a European defence. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, and her German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen signed on 19 June a letter of intent on the air combat system of the future or SCAF. The letter of intent designates France as the "leading nation on the project". It provides for other European partners to join the SCAF project with the aim of launching a study phase by the end of 2018 at the latest. During this phase, the architectural work will be accompanied by the rapid launch of demonstrators. Objective: to prefigure, by 2025, "the concepts to be retained for the future operational SCAF.
SCAF must gather around a new multi-purpose combat aircraft, "adapted to contemporary air threats and exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence", combat resources working in networks, including drones of various types. The SCAF should be operational by 2040. Similarly, the two ministers agreed to launch the Franco-German CSO3 military satellite on Ariane 6. An announcement which should satisfy Alain Charmeau, president of ArianeGroup, who recently complained of having no institutional order for Ariane 6.
Finally, France and Germany also advanced on the battle tank of the future or MGCS. Germany will be the leading nation in the project, fully integrated into the Scorpion programme in France and the HEER system in Germany. The Letter of Intent sets the objective of launching a joint demonstration phase by mid-2019 with a milestone in 2022 and the establishment of a detailed operational requirement by 2024.
SCAF : la France, nation leader sur le projet - Air&Cosmos
The French and German Army Ministers sign a letter of intent designating France as the leading country on the joint air combat system of the future.
Another important step in the will of France and Germany to act in the construction of a European defence. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, and her German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen signed on 19 June a letter of intent on the air combat system of the future or SCAF. The letter of intent designates France as the "leading nation on the project". It provides for other European partners to join the SCAF project with the aim of launching a study phase by the end of 2018 at the latest. During this phase, the architectural work will be accompanied by the rapid launch of demonstrators. Objective: to prefigure, by 2025, "the concepts to be retained for the future operational SCAF.
SCAF must gather around a new multi-purpose combat aircraft, "adapted to contemporary air threats and exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence", combat resources working in networks, including drones of various types. The SCAF should be operational by 2040. Similarly, the two ministers agreed to launch the Franco-German CSO3 military satellite on Ariane 6. An announcement which should satisfy Alain Charmeau, president of ArianeGroup, who recently complained of having no institutional order for Ariane 6.
Finally, France and Germany also advanced on the battle tank of the future or MGCS. Germany will be the leading nation in the project, fully integrated into the Scorpion programme in France and the HEER system in Germany. The Letter of Intent sets the objective of launching a joint demonstration phase by mid-2019 with a milestone in 2022 and the establishment of a detailed operational requirement by 2024.
SCAF : la France, nation leader sur le projet - Air&Cosmos
see what is the 5th gen plane of your dreams :
Fully 74% of Export F-35s Delivered Until 2023 AreObsolete
(Source: Defense-Aerospace.com; posted July 18, 2018)
Three-quarters of all the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters delivered to foreign customers until 2023 are obsolete and will require major retrofits before they can deliver their promised performance.
...
Fully-capable F-35 only after 2023
...
These new sensors are crucial for the F-35 to achieve the capabilities it was designed to deliver, but which are still not available today, after 17 years of development.
...
In other words, pray there’s no shooting war in the next 6-7 years.
...
ALREADY HERE, BUT ALREADY OBSOLETE.
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/ar...-f_35s-delivered-until-2024-are-obsolete.html
So the Rafales being prduced are Obsolete by a Generation
Well few countries can afford F-35, France cannot afford to produce a new plane for at least a decade.
Well few countries can afford F-35, France cannot afford to produce a new plane for at least a decade.
It's why Germany accept to give to the French Dassault company the lead to study a new fighter? Study to began for 2020 ....
Another pure Smestarz conjecture.
European economies are not strong at all, and whatever their state, they cannot spend so much on defence as they did before.
Results most countries in Europe do not have strong tank force.
I think you replied question in Strange way, it does look like France knows that Rafale is outdated by a generation and hence pushing for a new plane, So even the F4 is like DARIN upgrade which would really be more of an eyewash rather than help Rafale faces the likes of F-35 and Su-57.
but at the same time cannot really afford to buy (both Germany and France for that matter) Germany does not mind France to give it a try and be comfortable to develop techonolgies .
BTW you remember how the last JV to develop common plane ended up, right?
As per me. Europe should start studying for 7th Gen plane, 5th Gen planes are already flying, 6th Gen planes are being developed by USA., and if Europe is to start after 2 years then to be taken seriously. it would be better if they try to develop 7th Gen plane as all the time they would use by the time Europe produces its plane, the Americans would be with their 7th Gen plane just in prototype. Very similar to how Rafale was being developed when the Americans were developing F-22 Else you "super powe: will be producing planes a Generation too late
Results most countries in Europe do not have strong tank force.
I think you replied question in Strange way, it does look like France knows that Rafale is outdated by a generation and hence pushing for a new plane, So even the F4 is like DARIN upgrade which would really be more of an eyewash rather than help Rafale faces the likes of F-35 and Su-57.
but at the same time cannot really afford to buy (both Germany and France for that matter) Germany does not mind France to give it a try and be comfortable to develop techonolgies .
BTW you remember how the last JV to develop common plane ended up, right?
As per me. Europe should start studying for 7th Gen plane, 5th Gen planes are already flying, 6th Gen planes are being developed by USA., and if Europe is to start after 2 years then to be taken seriously. it would be better if they try to develop 7th Gen plane as all the time they would use by the time Europe produces its plane, the Americans would be with their 7th Gen plane just in prototype. Very similar to how Rafale was being developed when the Americans were developing F-22 Else you "super powe: will be producing planes a Generation too late
It's why Germany accept to give to the French Dassault company the lead to study a new fighter? Study to began for 2020 ....
Another pure Smestarz conjecture.
No it's why it is the favorite plane of 77.2 % of the forumer of Strategic Frontier Research Fondation.It's why Germany accept to give to the French Dassault company the lead to study a new fighter? Study to began for 2020 ....
Another pure Smestarz conjecture.
Our Defence Ties Have Never Been Stronger, Says French Ambassador To India Alexandre Ziegler
In 2016 India inked an agreement with France to acquire 36 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft to boost the depleting squadron strength of the Indian Air Force. A collaboration had already begun by then with the French Naval Group for six Scorpene-class submarines. Manish Kumar Jha of BW Businessworld chats with French ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler on the growing ambit of the defence partnership between the two countries. Excerpts:
Do you see any substantial change in the business of defence in India since 2014?
Defence ties between India and France are strong and very old, dating back to India’s Independence. More than in any other sector, they must be based on a very solid relationship of trust carand an identical concept of strategic independence.
We have already done a lot together, not only on industrial cooperation, but also on operational aspects. Together with India, we are currently developing a strong operational cooperation in the field of maritime security in the Indian Ocean, which will also uphold our technological and industrial partnerships.
Our partnership is a long-term partnership. When you engage in a programme like the Rafale, for example, you commit to the next fifty years. This is to say how much our defence relationship has always been, is and will be transpartisan. This is what characterised our strategic partnership, since its inception in 1998. The main armament contracts signed in recent years between our two countries (Scorpene in 2005, renovation of Mirage 2000 in 2011 and 2012, Rafale in 2016) have been concluded with different governments both in India and France.
But it is true that our defence ties have never been stronger than today and the State visit of the President of the French Republic to India in March has given it a new impetus. I would especially mention the Indo-French collaboration in the Indian Ocean, around which we are developing a very ambitious partnership of security and defence.
There is also a growing emphasis on Make in India and technology transfer, not just offsets, but through the consolidation of long-term industrial partnerships between our defence companies and their Indian partners.
French shipbuilding conglomerate Naval Group has a partnership as part of a transfer of technology (ToT) arrangement with Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the $3.75-billion ‘Project 75’ (P-75 l). What is the progress so far?
The P-75 Scorpene programme has given us extensive experience in working with Indian industry to produce modern and high performance submarines. The delivery of the first Scorpene-class submarine, Kalvari to the Indian Navy late in 2017, is greatly illustrative of this exemplary strategic and industrial partnership. The second Scorpene, the Khanderi, is completing its trials at sea and the third was launched early in the year. The programme is proceeding satisfactorily and in total six Scorpenes should equip the Indian Navy by 2022.
We obviously wish to continue and deepen this partnership in the field of submarines. The French group, Naval Group, responded favourably to the request for information on the Project 75 India project issued in mid-2017, proposing a new design, even more efficient than the Scorpene, with the best available technologies and weapons package, perfectly suited to the high ambitions of the Indian Navy.
What comes next in the sphere of Indo- French collaboration?
It is up to India to decide whether or not to pursue its acquisitions, and with which partner. In the field of combat aircraft, Dassault Aviation responded favourably to the Navy’s request for information to supply 57 multi-role fighters onboard with the Rafale M, which equips the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Dassault Aviation is also studying the information request recently issued by the Air Force for 110 multi-role combat aircraft.
France is currently participating in several other major competitions, including missiles (MBDA Mistral missiles for the VSHORADS competition), artillery (Nexter Group’s Trajan system for the TGS competition), or helicopters (responses from Airbus Helicopters to the NUH and NMRH requests), in partnership with the Indian public and private companies.
How could the defence ecosystem in India be made more proactive?
We have a sustained dialogue with the Indian authorities on all matters concerning the development of our cooperation around the defence industries. Sixty years ago, with General de Gaulle, France decided to opt for strategic sovereignty. Over the years it helped establish a strong and autonomous defence industry which must also be maintained by significant investments year after year. India has also made the choice of developing a strong, self-sustaining defence industry.
Is there any update on the Rafale G to G programme?
The signing in September 2016 of the Inter-governmental Agreement on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft by India has been a major breakthrough that paves the way for unprecedented industrial and technological cooperation between our two countries for the next 50 years. We are working to implement it as soon as possible, to the satisfaction of both parties. Contractually, the first Rafale will be delivered to India in September 2019. The state-to-state framework of this contract guarantees India the full involvement of France in its implementation, in the level of performance expected by the Indian Air Force and in keeping with the delivery schedule.
Our Defence Ties Have Never Been Stronger, Says French Ambassador To India Alexandre Ziegler
In 2016 India inked an agreement with France to acquire 36 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft to boost the depleting squadron strength of the Indian Air Force. A collaboration had already begun by then with the French Naval Group for six Scorpene-class submarines. Manish Kumar Jha of BW Businessworld chats with French ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler on the growing ambit of the defence partnership between the two countries. Excerpts:
Do you see any substantial change in the business of defence in India since 2014?
Defence ties between India and France are strong and very old, dating back to India’s Independence. More than in any other sector, they must be based on a very solid relationship of trust carand an identical concept of strategic independence.
We have already done a lot together, not only on industrial cooperation, but also on operational aspects. Together with India, we are currently developing a strong operational cooperation in the field of maritime security in the Indian Ocean, which will also uphold our technological and industrial partnerships.
Our partnership is a long-term partnership. When you engage in a programme like the Rafale, for example, you commit to the next fifty years. This is to say how much our defence relationship has always been, is and will be transpartisan. This is what characterised our strategic partnership, since its inception in 1998. The main armament contracts signed in recent years between our two countries (Scorpene in 2005, renovation of Mirage 2000 in 2011 and 2012, Rafale in 2016) have been concluded with different governments both in India and France.
But it is true that our defence ties have never been stronger than today and the State visit of the President of the French Republic to India in March has given it a new impetus. I would especially mention the Indo-French collaboration in the Indian Ocean, around which we are developing a very ambitious partnership of security and defence.
There is also a growing emphasis on Make in India and technology transfer, not just offsets, but through the consolidation of long-term industrial partnerships between our defence companies and their Indian partners.
French shipbuilding conglomerate Naval Group has a partnership as part of a transfer of technology (ToT) arrangement with Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the $3.75-billion ‘Project 75’ (P-75 l). What is the progress so far?
The P-75 Scorpene programme has given us extensive experience in working with Indian industry to produce modern and high performance submarines. The delivery of the first Scorpene-class submarine, Kalvari to the Indian Navy late in 2017, is greatly illustrative of this exemplary strategic and industrial partnership. The second Scorpene, the Khanderi, is completing its trials at sea and the third was launched early in the year. The programme is proceeding satisfactorily and in total six Scorpenes should equip the Indian Navy by 2022.
We obviously wish to continue and deepen this partnership in the field of submarines. The French group, Naval Group, responded favourably to the request for information on the Project 75 India project issued in mid-2017, proposing a new design, even more efficient than the Scorpene, with the best available technologies and weapons package, perfectly suited to the high ambitions of the Indian Navy.
What comes next in the sphere of Indo- French collaboration?
It is up to India to decide whether or not to pursue its acquisitions, and with which partner. In the field of combat aircraft, Dassault Aviation responded favourably to the Navy’s request for information to supply 57 multi-role fighters onboard with the Rafale M, which equips the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Dassault Aviation is also studying the information request recently issued by the Air Force for 110 multi-role combat aircraft.
France is currently participating in several other major competitions, including missiles (MBDA Mistral missiles for the VSHORADS competition), artillery (Nexter Group’s Trajan system for the TGS competition), or helicopters (responses from Airbus Helicopters to the NUH and NMRH requests), in partnership with the Indian public and private companies.
How could the defence ecosystem in India be made more proactive?
We have a sustained dialogue with the Indian authorities on all matters concerning the development of our cooperation around the defence industries. Sixty years ago, with General de Gaulle, France decided to opt for strategic sovereignty. Over the years it helped establish a strong and autonomous defence industry which must also be maintained by significant investments year after year. India has also made the choice of developing a strong, self-sustaining defence industry.
Is there any update on the Rafale G to G programme?
The signing in September 2016 of the Inter-governmental Agreement on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft by India has been a major breakthrough that paves the way for unprecedented industrial and technological cooperation between our two countries for the next 50 years. We are working to implement it as soon as possible, to the satisfaction of both parties. Contractually, the first Rafale will be delivered to India in September 2019. The state-to-state framework of this contract guarantees India the full involvement of France in its implementation, in the level of performance expected by the Indian Air Force and in keeping with the delivery schedule.
Our Defence Ties Have Never Been Stronger, Says French Ambassador To India Alexandre Ziegler
? An economical lesson by Smestarz !
What link with MBT ?
But for your information :
GB : 250 Challenger 2
D : 400 Leopard 2
Spain : 300 Leopard 2
F : 300 Leclerc
and some more.... Poland, Grece, NL, Denmark, Sweden....
More than enough to fight against the too few modern russian tanks and the hundreds of obsolete ones. All driven buy half alcoholics crew, not paid every month and seeing a fire training camp every 3/5 years....
Germany and France are so poor they decided to launch a new MBT and a new fighter....
Thats the problem. Too futuristic at the time led to subpar illdesigned. There will be a Conference for 6 months results the 18th by Trappier, sorry i will e on holidays.