Note the single centerline 2000L tank which is the usual loadout for reception flights.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Rafale pictures of the day : New aircrafts delivered
Note the single centerline 2000L tank which is the usual loadout for reception flights.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
French Olympic champion in the Rafale
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| The French swimmer Alain Bernard |
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| A. Bernard climbing on the Rafale ladder ©JM Tanguy |
Libya, April 22-27 and March 29- May 5 air operations stats
April 28- May 5 missions log - (230 sorties - rate>30 sorties/day - 20% of NATO sorties - 30% of NATO ground attack sorties) :
picture 1 : A pair of Rafale M about to take of for a Night time mission over libya
April 21-28 mission log - (216 sorties - rate>30 sorties/day - 20% of NATO sorties - 25% of NATO ground attack sorties) :
picture 2 : View on the CDG deck The aircraft carrier will make a few days stop in a Mediterranean harbor soon to allow the crew to rest.
- CAS and interdiction (+14%) : 110 flights (Rafale, Mirage 2000D, Mirage F1 CR, Super Etendard)
- Reconnaissance (+13%) : 62 flights (Rafale, Mirage F1 CR)
- Inflight refueling (-16%) : 27 flights (C-135, Rafale M, Super Etendard)
- AWACS (=) : 12 flights (E-3F, E-2C)
- Air Defense (=) : 21 flights (Mirage 2000-5F)
- 1 MRL (Adjabya)
- about 15 military vehicules including 5 MBT (Misrata, Adjabya)
- 2 logistic warehouse (Tripoli)
- 1 communication and command center (Tripoli)
- 1 ammunition depots (Syrte)
picture 1 : A pair of Rafale M about to take of for a Night time mission over libya
April 21-28 mission log - (216 sorties - rate>30 sorties/day - 20% of NATO sorties - 25% of NATO ground attack sorties) :
- CAS and interdiction (-29%) : 96 flights (Rafale, Mirage 2000D, Mirage F1 CR, Super Etendard)
- Reconnaissance (+6%) : 55 flights (Rafale, Mirage F1 CR)
- Inflight refueling (-27%) : 32 flights (C-135, Rafale M, Super Etendard)
- AWACS (-34%) : 12 flights (E-3F, E-2C)
- Air Defense (-19%) : 21 flights (Mirage 2000-5F)
- 1 SAM site and 1 MRL (Tripoli)
- about 10 armored vehicules, 2 ammunition transporters and a MBT (Misrata, Adjabya, Tripoli)
- 4 BM21 (Misrata, Adjabiya)
- 1 ammunition depots (Syrte)
picture 2 : View on the CDG deck The aircraft carrier will make a few days stop in a Mediterranean harbor soon to allow the crew to rest.
Libya, AASM sead capability demonstrated (2)
A very informative article about the Sagem AASM sead potential can be read on Defense Update.
As far as i know, this is the first time that I read about a 180° off axis targeting capability for this weapon. Until now, only 90° was claimed by Sagem.
I reproduce it here for the record :
The Libyan campaign has emphasized unique advantages of the French AASM-250 autonomous guided weapons. Previously criticized in the media as an excessively expensive weapon, AASM proved its value in offering operational flexibility, in providing small fighting formations the effects achied by much larger strike forces. The weapon was developed to meet a wide range of counter-air and offensive air missions, including Counter Air Defense/(Suppression of Enemy Air Defense – SEAD), Air Interdiction and Deep Strikes, to Close Air Support (CAS) including precision attacks in urban environments, as well as anti-ship missions.
Relying on the AASM extended stand-off range, Rafales were tasked to suppress and destroy SA-3 air defense sites during the initial phases of the conflict. During these strikes, utilizing the Rafales’ on-board sensor fusion capability, integrating data obtained from on-board sensors and external sources, delivered over Link-16, the fighters could generate strike coordinates based on real-time data, and feed it to the weapon in flight. The French fighters succeeded to hit the active sites with AASM, launching the weapons from long distance, outside the SA-3 launch envelope. Since each individual weapon is programmed with specific target coordinates, multiple weapons can be employed from the same aircraft, to attack different targets. Each weapon can be reprogrammed in flight, enabling it to engage several targets simultaneously (up to six in the case of the Rafale.)
A significant advantage of the AASM is the ability to retarget the weapon from the cockpit, just before launch. A Rafale carrying six weapons, each programmed with six different targets prior to takeoff. In addition to hitting each of the targets, the same fighter can re-attack targets already engaged but not destroyed, ensuring mission success, avoiding the high risk and costs involved with repeat missions, following battle damage assessment. Overall, Sagem claims a mission success rate of over 90%, compared to 70%, achieved by unpowered (gliding) laser guided or geo-targeted weapons, which are also restricting mission planning in flight envelope, flight trajectory, impact angle and penetration.
When employed against air defense assets, the combination of the weapon’s stand-off range and re-attack capability means an air defense site would be taken out of operation for longer periods, delivering higher success rate in SEAD operations and precision attacks of high value targets. Another important capability, particularly in today’s hybrid warfare, is the weapon’s flexibility in striking ‘time critical targets’. During the recent attacks in Libya, a Rafale pilot clearly demonstrated such method, when spotting a Libyan Soko G2 Galeb aircraft flying near Misrata. As the Libyan plane landed at the base, the Rafale pilot acquired its coordinates as a ‘target of opportunity’, fed the data to the weapon and launched the GPS/INS guided AASM against the target. As the weapon dropped, it homed in on the exact spot and destroyed the Libyan aircraft on the tarmac.
Operational with the French Air Force, and French Naval Aviation, AASM is produced made by Safran subsidiary Sagem DS. The weapon was first deployed in Afghanistan with the French Rafale in 2008. The baseline AASM kit comprises of the INS/GPS guidance system, designed for standard 250 kg (500 pounds) bombs. The AASM family will eventually include 125, 500 and 1,000 kg (250, 1000, and 2000 pounds) versions. Since the French forces have received only the initial deliveries of 3,500 weapons ordered, chances are that the used inventory could be replenished by extending current production runs. It is assumed that new weapons could be delivered at considerably lower costs than the original ones, as the manufacturer has stepped up the learning curve. Nevertheless, the cost of a basic AASM is still expected to ship at around $300,000 apiece (€200,000).
The weapon uses a booster/sustainer rocket engine accelerating it to the designated cruising speed and altitude, from where it is designed to continue through an autonomous operation, in day or night and in all weather conditions. It can be released at low altitude, and can also be fired up to 180 degrees off-axis in relation to the aircraft’s flight path, (‘backwards’) attacking targets from any direction, from standoff distance exceeding 50 km.
AASM-250 weapons are currently fitted with inertial/GPS guidance. The addition of semi-active laser seeker, and algorithms to track fixed or mobile targets during the terminal phase, will enhance the operational flexibility of the AASM family. Two versions are currently available and qualified for firing by the Rafale multirole fighter – the inertial/GPS and soon to be fielded inertial/GPS/infrared. The laser terminal guidance version of the AASM is expected to enter volume production for the French air force and navy starting at the end of 2012.
In addition to the basic GPS/INS guidance, AASM will also offer optional terminal guidance kits. These add-on features currently under development, will increase attack precision and enable engagement of fast moving targets. The infra-red seeker enables the weapon to hit small targets with distinctive signature, overcoming target location errors y undertaking a terminal correction just before impact. The semi-active laser seeker, along with associated moving target algorithms enable engagement of any surface target (stationary or moving) illuminated by a target designator, even targets travelling at high speed.
The AASM-125 was successfully tested in February 2009 on a Mirage 2000. The AASM-1000 is under development, as are new features such as airburst and data link. The AASM has also been selected to equip the Moroccan Mirage F-1s and are considered a likely choice for Air Forces considering the French Rafale (India, Brazil). Sagem is also addressing other platforms as well, including opportunities to arm Mirage 2000s in foreign service.
Also read :
AASM seadcapability demonstrated
Video of rafale (AASM) strike
As far as i know, this is the first time that I read about a 180° off axis targeting capability for this weapon. Until now, only 90° was claimed by Sagem.
I reproduce it here for the record :
French AASM Demonstrates Outstanding Versatility in Libyan Campaign
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| AASM being reloaded on Rafale - 2011/04 |
A significant advantage of the AASM is the ability to retarget the weapon from the cockpit, just before launch. A Rafale carrying six weapons, each programmed with six different targets prior to takeoff. In addition to hitting each of the targets, the same fighter can re-attack targets already engaged but not destroyed, ensuring mission success, avoiding the high risk and costs involved with repeat missions, following battle damage assessment. Overall, Sagem claims a mission success rate of over 90%, compared to 70%, achieved by unpowered (gliding) laser guided or geo-targeted weapons, which are also restricting mission planning in flight envelope, flight trajectory, impact angle and penetration.
When employed against air defense assets, the combination of the weapon’s stand-off range and re-attack capability means an air defense site would be taken out of operation for longer periods, delivering higher success rate in SEAD operations and precision attacks of high value targets. Another important capability, particularly in today’s hybrid warfare, is the weapon’s flexibility in striking ‘time critical targets’. During the recent attacks in Libya, a Rafale pilot clearly demonstrated such method, when spotting a Libyan Soko G2 Galeb aircraft flying near Misrata. As the Libyan plane landed at the base, the Rafale pilot acquired its coordinates as a ‘target of opportunity’, fed the data to the weapon and launched the GPS/INS guided AASM against the target. As the weapon dropped, it homed in on the exact spot and destroyed the Libyan aircraft on the tarmac.
Operational with the French Air Force, and French Naval Aviation, AASM is produced made by Safran subsidiary Sagem DS. The weapon was first deployed in Afghanistan with the French Rafale in 2008. The baseline AASM kit comprises of the INS/GPS guidance system, designed for standard 250 kg (500 pounds) bombs. The AASM family will eventually include 125, 500 and 1,000 kg (250, 1000, and 2000 pounds) versions. Since the French forces have received only the initial deliveries of 3,500 weapons ordered, chances are that the used inventory could be replenished by extending current production runs. It is assumed that new weapons could be delivered at considerably lower costs than the original ones, as the manufacturer has stepped up the learning curve. Nevertheless, the cost of a basic AASM is still expected to ship at around $300,000 apiece (€200,000).
The weapon uses a booster/sustainer rocket engine accelerating it to the designated cruising speed and altitude, from where it is designed to continue through an autonomous operation, in day or night and in all weather conditions. It can be released at low altitude, and can also be fired up to 180 degrees off-axis in relation to the aircraft’s flight path, (‘backwards’) attacking targets from any direction, from standoff distance exceeding 50 km.
AASM-250 weapons are currently fitted with inertial/GPS guidance. The addition of semi-active laser seeker, and algorithms to track fixed or mobile targets during the terminal phase, will enhance the operational flexibility of the AASM family. Two versions are currently available and qualified for firing by the Rafale multirole fighter – the inertial/GPS and soon to be fielded inertial/GPS/infrared. The laser terminal guidance version of the AASM is expected to enter volume production for the French air force and navy starting at the end of 2012.
In addition to the basic GPS/INS guidance, AASM will also offer optional terminal guidance kits. These add-on features currently under development, will increase attack precision and enable engagement of fast moving targets. The infra-red seeker enables the weapon to hit small targets with distinctive signature, overcoming target location errors y undertaking a terminal correction just before impact. The semi-active laser seeker, along with associated moving target algorithms enable engagement of any surface target (stationary or moving) illuminated by a target designator, even targets travelling at high speed.
The AASM-125 was successfully tested in February 2009 on a Mirage 2000. The AASM-1000 is under development, as are new features such as airburst and data link. The AASM has also been selected to equip the Moroccan Mirage F-1s and are considered a likely choice for Air Forces considering the French Rafale (India, Brazil). Sagem is also addressing other platforms as well, including opportunities to arm Mirage 2000s in foreign service.
Also read :
AASM seadcapability demonstrated
Video of rafale (AASM) strike
Thursday, May 5, 2011
MMRCA, The Indian shortlist shock wave
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| 4 Rafale alongside a Su-30MKI - Red Flag 2008/09 |
To explain its decision, the Indian MoD asserts that the shorlist has been made based on the IAF evaluation results only, thus excluding political or economical aspects. In 2009 and 2010 the IAF has indeed conducted one of the most extensive field trial campaign ever made during an international contest : no less than 640 technical points were assessed on all 6 contenders, including the now famous high altitute take off tests at Leh Air base, as well as weapons trials in the countries of origin of each plane.
The fact that the Rafale and the Typhoon emerged as the 2 best planes on technical merit only and after such a comprehensive evalution could become a valuable advertising in other international contests. The first choice of the IAF which has a requirement for 126 of these planes (extensible to 200), will most probably influence the established perception on the respective capabilities of the fighters available on the market : Indeed, US aircrafts are often seen as more capable, no mater what (this MMRCA Analysis by Mr. Tellis is a very good example of this state of mind).
As far as the Rafale is concerned, the F/A-18E elimination by the IAF is a very good news for Dassault as it might facilitate the French company resistance to Boeing's aggressive marketting in the UAE, Qatar and Kuweit.
This is also true for Brazil : The rejection of the Gripen NG and Super Hornet in India is a big setback for Saab and Boeing and one more argument in favor of the Rafale in the FX-2 contest when it will restart. We should not forget that the US ambassador in Brazil was thinking of using the (bogus) Rafale elimination in India, back in 2009, in order to discredit the French plane (as revealed by Wikileaks). The situation is clearly reversed now that the Rafale has received its "approved by the IAF" stamp.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Rafale pictures of the day
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| Meteor trials on Rafale M1 ©Dassault |
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| Flares dispenser ©Dassault |
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| Laser AASM trials ©DGA |
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
100th Rafale Delivered
The current delivery log should be :
- 4 production aircrafts used for trials : B301, B302, C101, M1
- 9 Rafale M F1 (tranche 1): M2 to M10 put in storage and waiting for their F3 upgrade.
- 48 Rafale F3 (Tranche 2, former F2) :
- 7 C (C102 to C108)
- 25 B (B303 to B327)
- 16 M (M11 to M26)
- 39 Rafale F3 (Tranche 3) :
- 22 C (C109 to C130)
- 11 B (B328 to B338)
- 6 M (M27 to M32)
Among those 100 fighters delivered so far, only 83 (19 M, 35 B and 29 C) are in operational service (3M and 1B lost, 9M in storage, 2B, 1C and 1M for trials)
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