Rafale program updates

©Dassault aviation - A. Hernoult

Here is a quick list of the main points discussed in the last Fox3 issues


RBE-2 AESA

• Performance evaluation passed
• A2A detection/range exeed expectations
• A2G and terrain following modes also tested
• First production Rafale C delivered with an AESA in 2012
• First production Rafale M delivered with an AESA in 2013
• Qualification expected early 2013
• First French Airforce squadron operational with the AESA in early 2014 

Meteor

• First flight envelope expension done in early 2011 (including carrier trials)
• First batch of 200 Missiles ordered
• Operational service expected in 2016

 AM-39 Exocet block 2 mod 2

• Integration on Rafale completed
• Final operational evaluation in early 2012
• Operational on French Navy Rafale in mid-2012
• French Navy Pilot training with the missile has already started
• Link 16 targeting from AEW aircrafts (E-2, ATL-2) is developed

DDM-NG (New Generation Missile Detector)

• increase range and field of view / decrease false alerts
• In flight testing in progress (2nd data gathering campaign completed in early 2011)

AASM

• Extensively used in Libya by French Air Force and Navy Rafale (225 units fired)
• success rate very close to 100%
• GPS/INS/IIR variant operational since mid-2011
• 800 units of the 250kg type delivered (3400 ordered)
• Range >50km for the 250kg type (57km demonstrated in Libya)
• GPS/INS/Laser version 
• Qualification phase in 2012
• Operational service entry in 2013
• 15km range with 90° of boresight release demonstrated against a 80km/h target with an acuracy of 1 meter
• First firing trials of the 125 kg variant completed (80km range demonstrated)
• 1000kg version development expected rapidly
• New guidance kit for antiship attack considered with datalink capability

Rover

• Rover system fully operational on Rafale
• Rover terminal fitted to the Rafale airframe (not the LDP) and thus also allows radar or FSO images to be transmitted to the FAC

Libya campaign

• All missions were operated without any dedicated SEAD and EW support thanks to Spectra
• Spectra Allowed accurate detection, location and attack of Libyan Air defenses 
• Spectra jammer allowed soft kills of the Libyan radar systems
• GBU-12 used for dynamic targeting
• AASM used against high value well-defended targets and SAM system  (SA-3/SA-6)
• Damocles pod used for laser targetting (GBU-12), identification and target GPS coordinates extraction (AASM)
• Half of the Rafale M missions performed at night
• Rafale considered as a key tool for ISTAR missions (Intelligence, Surveillance, Taget acquisition, Reconnaissance)