We are off since December 10, but we are back tomorrow.
until then enjoy this Rafale solo display video from the Dubai Air show.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Centaures, a new comic book staring the Rafale
All the technical details have been checked and approved by 2 French Navy Officers, Commander Fabre and Rafale pilot Captain Guillaume Jacob which is a garanty for high realism.
A dozen of pages of the comic book can be seen on their web site as well as several videos from the French Navy.
More high resolution pages here and production drawing here
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Brazil, 2 new Aircraft carriers in sight ?
2 days ago, French defense journalist Jean Guisnel published an article confirming that Brazil is indeed seeking an industrial partnership in order to build 2 CATOBAR aircraft carriers. Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim would have tackled the subjet when he came to France on October 18 (19 ?). According to Jean Guisnel article, the Brazilian decision would be expected in 12 or 18 months.
This is of course a very important news as the aircraft selected for those carriers will most probably be the same as the FX-2 winner. If so, this is an advantage for the Rafale and the F/A-18E as they both are carrier capable.
MMRCA, rumors of an announcement tomorrow
The MMRCA winner should be revealed this month as the Dassault and EADS bids are expiring at the end of the year but most experts are expecting the annoucement to be made during the second half of December since Air Force Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne statement on Novemeber 18.
On the other hand, It's been one full month since the opening of the bids on November 4 and the Indian Ministry of Defense had stated then that 3 to 4 for weeks would be necessary to assess both offers and select the best one.
So, as usual, wait and see...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Rafale production, secured beyond 2020 at least
Gérard Longuet revient sur les difficultés du... par LCP
Wednesday December 7, During an interview on LCP TV , French defense Minister Gerard Longuet stated that the Rafale production will be stopped if the Plane is not exported after the French forces have received all their airframes. The claim was immediatly spread out of context in many French and international media giving the impression that the production was about to be stopped which is obviously not the case as it is expected to run at least until 2018 (as reminded by Longuet) and most probably until 2022-25 at the current pace.
Edit december 8 :
To clarify Gerard Longuet statement, the Ministry of Defense has issued an official note stating :
"If Dassault does not export the Rafale, The production for the French army will not end before 2030. The deliveries will spread long after 2020. In the meantime, the aircraft will get upgrades between 2020 and 2030"
Malaysia, official Rafale international website
Also read Flight Global article
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Switzerland, the Federal council chooses the Gripen NG
Official press release from Dassault Aviation / Rafale International
-----------
-----------
The Rafale team took note of the choice of Swiss authorities for the
acquisition of their future fighter aircraft. It regrets that the
Federal Council, as officially expressed, has "knowingly decided not to
position Switzerland at the highest European level as regards the
performance of new combat aircrafts."
The capabilities of the Rafale would allow the Helvetic Confederation to acquire a lesser number of aircraft to meet operational requirements, at a cost equivalent or less, as shown by the evaluations of the Swiss Air Force.
The "helvetic" Gripen exists only on paper. Its technical development and production should increase significantly the financial efforts of the Swiss authorities for the implementation of this program.
Rafale International thanks the 250 Swiss companies that have joined its project of Industrial Partnership in the 26 cantons of the Helvetic Confederation.
Bern, 30 November 2011
RAFALE INTERNATIONAL
Nathalie BAKHOS
Communication Export
DASSAULT AVIATION
The capabilities of the Rafale would allow the Helvetic Confederation to acquire a lesser number of aircraft to meet operational requirements, at a cost equivalent or less, as shown by the evaluations of the Swiss Air Force.
The "helvetic" Gripen exists only on paper. Its technical development and production should increase significantly the financial efforts of the Swiss authorities for the implementation of this program.
Rafale International thanks the 250 Swiss companies that have joined its project of Industrial Partnership in the 26 cantons of the Helvetic Confederation.
Bern, 30 November 2011
RAFALE INTERNATIONAL
Nathalie BAKHOS
Communication Export
DASSAULT AVIATION
-----------
So Switzerland has decided not to follow the recomendation of the Armasuisse experts and to go with the less expensive aircraft. So be it.
It's worth noting that this is the first export of the Gripen-NG which is not in service anywhere yet. So Switzerland is also taking some risks regarding the development of the aircraft.
Eventually, many people in the Swiss Air Force might wonder what was the point of the technical evaluation...
Also read Bill Sweetman report
It's worth noting that this is the first export of the Gripen-NG which is not in service anywhere yet. So Switzerland is also taking some risks regarding the development of the aircraft.
Eventually, many people in the Swiss Air Force might wonder what was the point of the technical evaluation...
Also read Bill Sweetman report
Switzerland, Armasuisse officialy ranks the Rafale first
A few days before switzerland makes its final choice, the main operational results of the Armasuisse evaluation have been released.
Armasuisse made a first evaluation of the Gripen, Rafale and Eurofighter in 2008. Several Air to Air and Air to Ground trials were performed by the 3 contenders, in Switzerland, in order to assess their relative efficiency in different roles.
A second Evaluation was done between March and August 2009 to take into account the upgrades and improvements of the 3 fighters in their "2015 form". This evaluation was based on data provided by the manufacturers or simulated flights. This final Armasuisse report, with updated rankings was released in November 2009 and is recommending the Rafale for the Swiss Air Force (confirming the rumors heard during the last 2 years).
In this report, each capability is ranked on 9 points, 6 points being the minimum score to meet the Swiss Air Force requirement (We understand that the 6 points benchmark would be the F/A-18C score)
Basler Zeitung has published the scores for 2 main mission types (see above) : defensive and offencive Air-Air missions. The green scores refer to the 2008 evalaluation while the red scores refer to the final 2009 evaluation including 2015 improvements.
Various quotes from the report :
"Rafale and Eurofighter showed generally better performance than the F/A-18, Gripen worse"
"The performance of the Gripen in air-air engagements as well as attack missions was insufficient"
"The most limiting factors of the Gripen design were the operating time, the flight performance and the maximum weapon load"
"The Rafale is the only aircraft that has met the requirements of the Air Force in all types of applications"
So the report is quite clear regarding the capabilities of the 3 aircrafts:
1- The Rafale is the best technical performer and thus recommended as the Tiger replacement.
2- The Rafale was ranked above the Eurofighter in both Air defense and ground attack missions.
3- The Gripen has serious weaknesses and is considered as a step back compared to the F/A-18 operated by the Swiss Air Force.
Sources:
Basler Zeitung
Bazonline.ch
Armasuisse made a first evaluation of the Gripen, Rafale and Eurofighter in 2008. Several Air to Air and Air to Ground trials were performed by the 3 contenders, in Switzerland, in order to assess their relative efficiency in different roles.
A second Evaluation was done between March and August 2009 to take into account the upgrades and improvements of the 3 fighters in their "2015 form". This evaluation was based on data provided by the manufacturers or simulated flights. This final Armasuisse report, with updated rankings was released in November 2009 and is recommending the Rafale for the Swiss Air Force (confirming the rumors heard during the last 2 years).
In this report, each capability is ranked on 9 points, 6 points being the minimum score to meet the Swiss Air Force requirement (We understand that the 6 points benchmark would be the F/A-18C score)
 |
| ©Basler Zeitung November 30, 2011 |
- The Rafale is ranked first with 7.28 and 7.41 points,
- The Eurofighter second with 6.49 and 6.54 points,
- The Gripen is third with 5.68 and 5.62 points. Therefore it does not manage to pass the threshold of 6 points.
Various quotes from the report :
"Rafale and Eurofighter showed generally better performance than the F/A-18, Gripen worse"
"The performance of the Gripen in air-air engagements as well as attack missions was insufficient"
"The most limiting factors of the Gripen design were the operating time, the flight performance and the maximum weapon load"
"The Rafale is the only aircraft that has met the requirements of the Air Force in all types of applications"
So the report is quite clear regarding the capabilities of the 3 aircrafts:
1- The Rafale is the best technical performer and thus recommended as the Tiger replacement.
2- The Rafale was ranked above the Eurofighter in both Air defense and ground attack missions.
3- The Gripen has serious weaknesses and is considered as a step back compared to the F/A-18 operated by the Swiss Air Force.
Sources:
Basler Zeitung
Bazonline.ch
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Video, Switzerland competition as seen by the Swiss themselves
A must see video from the Swiss TV show "Mise au point" about the Switzerland fighter contest. The Journalist had the chance to meet all 3 contenders :
Interesting points :
Eurofighter praises its larger radar and powerfull engines, Rafale focuses on its Front Sector Optronics and AESA antenna while Gripen emphasizes on it's small size and cheaper fly away price and maintenance costs.
During his Interview, Fernand Carrel, former Swiss Air Force chief and Mirage IIIS pilot, ranks the Rafale first on technical merits, then the Eurofighter and last, the Gripen :
"At the operiational level, the Rafale is the leader" He says.
According to him, the Swiss pilots would prefer the Rafale but he concedes that the final decision will be political and economical.
To the question what car would you compare your aircraft to, the Rafale pilot answer is quite funny :
- Laage Airbase, Germany, for the Eurofighter
- Istres Flight test center, France, for the Rafale
- Ronneby, Sweeden for the Gripen
Interesting points :
Eurofighter praises its larger radar and powerfull engines, Rafale focuses on its Front Sector Optronics and AESA antenna while Gripen emphasizes on it's small size and cheaper fly away price and maintenance costs.
During his Interview, Fernand Carrel, former Swiss Air Force chief and Mirage IIIS pilot, ranks the Rafale first on technical merits, then the Eurofighter and last, the Gripen :
"At the operiational level, the Rafale is the leader" He says.
According to him, the Swiss pilots would prefer the Rafale but he concedes that the final decision will be political and economical.
To the question what car would you compare your aircraft to, the Rafale pilot answer is quite funny :
- Eurofighter pilot : A ferrari
- Gripen.pilot : A porsche
- Rafale pilot : James Bond Aston Martin or Batmobile (lot of hidden gadgets in the Rafale ? Bond did have a DB9 with a cloaking device, didn't he ? ;))
Monday, November 28, 2011
12F Rafale M Squadron training at Hyeres Naval Base
Source : defense.gouv.fr
Exclusive Rafale jacket
Domique Gabille is specialized in custom leather flight jackets paintings
Friday, November 25, 2011
Afghanistan, Rafale and Mirage support Italian troops
12h20 : take off
12h40 : retasking by the Italian JTAC
01h00 : The Rafale and the Mirage arrive on the zone
01h10 : GBU-12 are fired to Support Italian troops
01h30 : Show of force
03h55 : landing
The 3 Rafale deployed in Afghanistan will return to France in a few days
Sunday, November 20, 2011
M88-4E engine program on track
- Feb 2010 : high altitude ground tests
- March 22, 2010 : First flight on a Rafale at Istres Airbase
- End of 2010 : Flight readiness certificate (after 70 test flights)
- 2011 : Endurance tests
- End of 2011 : delivery of the first production-standard M88-4E
"The aim of this program is to extend the engine’s service life and time between inspections for several key parts. Upgrades are planned to the high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine"
So, nothing new but the fact that everything seems to run as planed
Pool, The most likely Rafale export(s)
Brazil, Qatar, United Arabe Emirates, Switzerland, Malaisya, Kuwait, Greece, India ... all those countries have shown or are showing interest in the Rafale. According to you which are the most likely to order the French Fighter jet ?
You can answer this question in the pool on the right (multiple choices allowed)
You can answer this question in the pool on the right (multiple choices allowed)
Rafale Normandie Niemen squadron ramping up
It currently operates 4 Rafale C (source delta reflex):
C 113 / 118 IR
C 119 / 118 IX
C 123 / 118 GB
C 129 / 118 GH
The squadron should open its website soon with high quality pictures (sneak preview below). Meanwhile, you can check their facebook page. All pictures thanks to El Doctor. Also don't miss the superb Mirage F1 pictures on Checksix
Rafale program updates
 |
| ©Dassault aviation - A. Hernoult |
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
- First flight envelope expension done in early 2011 (including carrier trials)
- First batch of 200 Missiles ordered
- Operational service expected in 2016
- 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
- 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)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
MMRCA, final choice in 4 weeks
November 18, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne said:
"We're calculating very hard. A lot of work is going on. In another four weeks, we should be able to wrap it up. No matter how long it takes, we have to get it right. There are a lot of complicated figures. But mid-December we should have a good sense of who gets selected."
source : Livefist
"We're calculating very hard. A lot of work is going on. In another four weeks, we should be able to wrap it up. No matter how long it takes, we have to get it right. There are a lot of complicated figures. But mid-December we should have a good sense of who gets selected."
source : Livefist
Friday, November 18, 2011
UAE, can Juppe overcome the price issue ?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
UAE, tough negociations on the Rafale deal
UAE, wednesday 16, Dubai Airshow.
"Thanks to French President Sarkozy, France could not have done more diplomatically or politically to secure the Rafale deal. Bi-lateral relations have never been stronger and his constant personal intervention in this process has sustained Dassault at the forefront of our considerations. Regrettably Dassault seems unaware that all the diplomatic and political will in the World cannot overcome uncompetitive and unworkable commercial terms."
This is how wednesday 16 began for Dassault: a straight and unequivocal declaration by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reported by WAM the Emirates News Agency
The news, rapidly spread all over the web and media like a shockwave raising one question: does that mean the negociations are over and the deal is as good as dead ?
Well, even if the words are quite direct, they are also very precise : First the role of the French President in the negociations is saluted, meaning that there is no polical issue between France and the UAE. Then Dassault is pointed out for the price they ask for the 60 jets. I interpret that as a direct request from the Crown Prince to the French presidency to put pressure on Dassault in order to lower the price of the whole Rafale package.
So, is the deal dead ? Apparently no, or at least not yet. According to a French source quoted by Reuters, negociations are still ongoing and the Crown Prince declaration would be part of the trading "game". Indeed, the UAE are well aware that Switzerland and India are also about to sign for either the Rafale or the Typhoon in the following weeks. Therefore the Typhoon RFP and the public statement of wednesday morning are puting considerable pressure on Dassault. As a consequense, a Rafale failure in the UAE could put the French manufacturer in a very bad position in India. Clearly, Eurofighter Gmbh RFP announcement was a smart move, executed with a perfect timing. But as a matter of fact, the chess game is not over yet.
This is how wednesday 16 began for Dassault: a straight and unequivocal declaration by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reported by WAM the Emirates News Agency
The news, rapidly spread all over the web and media like a shockwave raising one question: does that mean the negociations are over and the deal is as good as dead ?
Well, even if the words are quite direct, they are also very precise : First the role of the French President in the negociations is saluted, meaning that there is no polical issue between France and the UAE. Then Dassault is pointed out for the price they ask for the 60 jets. I interpret that as a direct request from the Crown Prince to the French presidency to put pressure on Dassault in order to lower the price of the whole Rafale package.
UAE, France still confident regarding the Rafale sale
 |
| French Defense Minister and Air Force chief at the Dubai Airshow |
The French Air Force chief, General Palomeros has insisted on the fact that the technical part of the negociations (system upgrades and new weapon loads) have been settled and agreed. The UAE also abandoned their request for a more powerfull M88-2 after several successfull tests in hot temperture condition.
According to General Palomeros on ainonline:
"We would like to achieve a common standard, and invest in new capabilities" (additional radar modes, electronic warfare and communications).They [the UAE] are not buying an aircraft, they are buying a system, and France is a real partner”
[...]
"The negotiations are now about the cost of maintenance and manpower. The French defense ministry has also been negotiating a costed, long-term support contract with Snecma for the M88"
This is also confirmed by UAE's former Air Force chief, Major General Khaled al-Buainnain who said last Saturday to Xe.com:
"There's no required enhancements.The UAE has always special requirements. I think the enhancement issue is over, the issue is now financial and contractual. This is a massive project that needs deliberate study."
Tactical Report is also pointing out the fact that from the UAE point of view, the Typhoon RFP should not be interpreted as a lower interest for the Rafale.
With 3 highly important contests (UAE, India and Switzerland) involving the Rafale and the Typhoon, expected to be decided before the end of the year, both delta canard jet teams are pushing hard to occupy the mediatic ground and appear in a favourable stance.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
UAE, another Rafale vs Eurofighter battle ?
What does this last minute development mean for the Rafale ? First it is almost certain, now, that no deal can be expected during the Dubai Air Show or even before the end of the year. As a mater of fact, the UAE ar not in a hurry (their Mirage 2000-9 are almost new) and they will take all the time necessary to squeeze the French offer until the last drop. By the way, this situation looks very much like when Saudi Arabia was negociating its Typhoon and put the Rafale in the Balance to get more from BAE and the UK.
Last year, The UAE had already asked Boeing to make a F-18E offer and earlier in 2011, they were also negociating with Lockheed Martin for additional F-16E.
Sources : reuters.com
Friday, November 11, 2011
UAE, Dubai Air show starts November 13
The French Air Force chief, General Palomeros, will be present at the opening ceremony on November 13.
The French authorities are in final negotiations with the UAE for the purchase of 60 Rafale, but it is not known if an announcement will be made during the Air show.
Libya, French Defense Minister congratulate the men and women engaged in Harmattan
He notably underlined the first elint missions as early as February 23, as well as the first strikes conducted by Rafale and Mirage 2000 crews on March 19, while the Gaddafi Air defense network was still fully operational. Despite the risk, the French airmen managed to stop and neutralize the dictator's tanks a few hours from the Benghazi city.
source : defense.gouv.fr
Video, Rafale catapult trials at Lakehurst
Back to the nineties ! Here is a very interesting video from the French TV show "Pegase". We are in October 1995 and the Rafale team has moved to Lakehurst, USA, to perform the 4th catapult and arresting cable trial campaign with heavy loads. In the Video, we can see the Rafale M01 captapulted with 2 full 2000L external fuel tanks (total weight: 19.2 metric tons). For safety reasons, those external tanks were filled with water to be droped before landing (as seen at the end of the video)
Lakehurst NAES, New jersey, is the only western facility equiped for land based catapult trials. The Rafale M01 did 4 trial campaigns at Lakehurst (one in 1992, 2 in 1993 and one in 1995). Then the M02 (2nd Rafale M prototype) started the sea trials on the Foch French aircraft carrier (now, Sao Paulo, in service in the Brazilian Navy)
At 1min40, we can see the most famous Eric Gerard, Dassault test pilot and former French Navy pilot who performed, with his collegue Yves Kerhervé, these early Rafale M trials (sweat 90s style pullover BTW :) )
View Larger Map
Lakehurst NAES, New jersey, is the only western facility equiped for land based catapult trials. The Rafale M01 did 4 trial campaigns at Lakehurst (one in 1992, 2 in 1993 and one in 1995). Then the M02 (2nd Rafale M prototype) started the sea trials on the Foch French aircraft carrier (now, Sao Paulo, in service in the Brazilian Navy)
At 1min40, we can see the most famous Eric Gerard, Dassault test pilot and former French Navy pilot who performed, with his collegue Yves Kerhervé, these early Rafale M trials (sweat 90s style pullover BTW :) )
View Larger Map
Thursday, November 10, 2011
MMRCA, is a 5% price difference irrelevant ?
It is said that both bids are very close to each other with the Rafale about 5% cheaper. Although this difference may seem insignificant at first glance, it's still a quite large amount of money considering the unit price of a jet and the quantity bought by the IAF.
With a total order of 126 fighters, those 5% represent the price of 6 Rafale. That means that for the same price, you can either get 126 typhoon or 132 Rafale. It's as if Dassault was giving an additional plane for free for each squadron of 20 planes... nice :)
Now, if we estimate that the unit cost of the Typhoon is $100 million and the Rafale $95 millions (5% less), The total cost difference for 126 airframes reaches $630 million which represents no less than 700 mica missiles (given a mica price at $0.85 millions)
In this perspective those 5% start to make sense : Either you get 6 more airframes, or you can get enough BVR missiles to equip your entire MMRCA fleet (6 missiles per aircraft)...for free.
Yet, it also works the other way if the typhoon is the cheapest (as reported by Deccan Herald) ;)
Monday, November 7, 2011
Libya, The Last 4 Rafale have returned
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| General Palomeros with a Rafale pilot |
Source defense.gouv.fr
Rafale Libyan operation photo album
Previous messages concerning Libya on RafaleNews
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
MMRCA, first rumors on the bids
 |
| India Ministry of Defense |
- Rumor N°1 : Dassault bid would be only marginally lower, meaning that it will take some time to find out the best offer including all parameters.
- Rumor N°2 : both bids would be above the initial 42,000 Crore ($10 billions) estimate of the Indian MOD stated in 2007. That's not really a surprise but, now, some sources are talking about $20 billions which is a huge increase.
- Rumor N°3 : A scheduled meeting, on the sidelines of the G20, between French president Sarkozy and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan have been cancelled and the cause could be related to the MMRCA and the opening of the bids (well, this one sounds very unlikely).
livemint.com
www.tribuneindia.com
dailypioneer.com
livefist.blogspot.com
indiatoday.intoday.in (video report)
Friday, November 4, 2011
MMRCA, D-Day
This is it. the Indian Authorities and the Executives from Dassault and EADS will know in a few hours who is the lowest bidder of the MMRCA contest.
Indeed, the procedure imposes to both contender to be present during the opening of the sealed offers.
Theoricaly the lowest bid should win but in fact the process is a bit more complicated as the offset proposals which were submited and approved last month and the maintenance/operating costs have to be taken into account to identify the best overall offer. According to the IAF Air Marshal at least 3 weeks will be necessary to compute the best package.
Check Livefist for possible hot news during the day !
Also read IANS article
Indeed, the procedure imposes to both contender to be present during the opening of the sealed offers.
Theoricaly the lowest bid should win but in fact the process is a bit more complicated as the offset proposals which were submited and approved last month and the maintenance/operating costs have to be taken into account to identify the best overall offer. According to the IAF Air Marshal at least 3 weeks will be necessary to compute the best package.
Check Livefist for possible hot news during the day !
Also read IANS article
Thursday, November 3, 2011
MMRCA, the last US attempt to hijack the deal
[...] India has demonstrated its interest in upgrading its inventory of fighter aircraft. It intends to
purchase 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft and is working with Russia on the development
of the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). The U.S. F-16 and F-18
competed, but were not down-selected, in the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA)
competition in April 2011. Despite this setback, we believe U.S. aircraft, such as the Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF), to be the best in the world. Should India indicate interest in the JSF, the United
States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure,
security, etc.) to support India’s future planning. [...]
Honnestly I don't really understand the meaning or the purpose of such a move. Do they really expect india to cancel the MMRCA process if Dassault and Eurofighter bids are too high ? If so, a F-35 proposal would probably be out of the MMRCA price range too. Besides, India is already involved in a partnership with Russia to develop its own stealth medium and heavy fighters. It this context, it is difficult to imagine the US accepting to provide sensitive F-35 technology to India unless they intend to provide a F-35 "lite" with downgraded stealth capabilities.
Also read flightglobal Analysis
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Return to the CdG
For those who have not seen it yet, I repost this superb video from 2009-2010 showing the work of the Charles de Gaulle deck officers.
During le Libyan conflict from April to august 2011 the Rafale, Super Etendard and Hawkeye of the French Aircraft carrier conducted 1573 combat missions.
During le Libyan conflict from April to august 2011 the Rafale, Super Etendard and Hawkeye of the French Aircraft carrier conducted 1573 combat missions.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
MMRCA, Bids to be opened November 4
 |
| Original picture © Dassault Aviation - K. Tokunaga |
"According to procedure, the contents of both bids will be read out to all present and then signed by all members of the Contract Negotiation Committee"
So, apparently there is a 2 weeks time shift in the initial schedule stated on October 8. Therefore we can expect the winning bid to be revealed at the end of November, early December.
Source: livefist
Sunday, October 23, 2011
No export Future for the Rafale ?
 |
| Source : flightglobal.com |
Well, we all know that marketing powerpoints always tend to twist a bit the reallity but this one is certainly over optimistic about the export potential of the Typhoon compare to the Rafale.
First, the Tranche 3B of the Eurofighter (124 aircrafts) is in very bad shape and will most probably be cut.
Then, the export prospects of the plane are certainly not as bright as the chart says : the probability to get orders from Japan and Korea is very thin (if not nil), and the risk that India and Switzerland go for the Rafale is quite high. Not to mention the UAE and Brazil where the Typhoon is not even considered at all.
In 2012 we should have a clearer view of the fighter market for the next 15 years and it could be very different from the Cassidian crystal ball forecasts as far as Rafale and Eurofighter are concerned..
Friday, October 21, 2011
Switzerland, a decision before 2012
 |
| ©Thierry Gay |
Meanwhile, the 3 contenders (Dassault, EADS and Saab) have been asked to update their proposal, made in 2009 before the end of October.
Since 2009, the exchange rate of the euro vis a vis the Swiss Franc and the Swedish Krona has droped by more than 17 %. The mechanical result is that the Rafale and the Eurofighter are now 17% cheaper than in 2009 whereas the Gripen price has remained more or less the same.
Therefore the principal advantage of the Gripen compare to the Rafale (the price gap) will probably suffer in the new quotations. One could also argue that if the selection process has been accelerated to take advantage of the favourable CHF/Euro exchange rate, the Gripen has already lost.
Furthermore, if the rumors about the Eurofighter being too expensive to match the Swiss budget despite the weak Euro prove to be true, this could mean that the Rafale will be in a very good position when the bids will be assessed.
Switzerland is expected to buy 22 new fighters in 2012 to replace her F-5 Tiger II
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Libya, the end of Gaddafi
Colonel Gaddafi, would have took part in this convoy and would have been captured alive by Libyan NTC fighters but would have been killed (executed ?) later during a gun fight. .
"When the car was moving it was caught in crossfire between the revolutionaries and Gaddafi forces in which he was hit by a bullet in the head," said Mr Jibril, quoting from the official NTC report.
Sources :
bbc.co.uk
Associated Press
SecretDefense
defense.gouv.fr
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Rafale picture of the day
Picture credit : Bruno Dellière
UAE, Rafale deal probability is very high says French Defense Minister
Paris, October 17th, when asked by the LCI TV journalist about the probability for a Rafale deal with the UAE, The French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said "It is very high, It is very, very high" yet, adding that the deal is not done and that negociations are still going on between the manufacturer (Dassault), the UAE and the French state.
Monday, October 17, 2011
AASM IR is officialy operational
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| ©Sagem - P. Vodka Gallien |
Paris, October 13, 2011
In July, the French air force and Naval aviation began operational deployment of the infrared terminal guidance version (SBU-64) of the Hammer IR AASM modular air-to-ground weapon.
Developed and produced by Sagem (Safran group), with French defense procurement agency DGA acting as program manager, the Hammer AASM is a family of air-to-ground weapons, comprising a guidance kit and range augmentation kit fitted to standard bombs. This makes the AASM a high-precision guided weapon with a range exceeding 60 kilometers.
The AASM IR version features a guidance kit with an infrared imager in the nose cone, along with the standard hybrid GPS / inertial guidance systems.
Following the initial deployment of the Hammer AASM, the French air force and navy carried out the first firing tests of this version of the AASM under combat conditions, all successful.
Adding infrared terminal guidance to the standard hybrid GPS/inertial version of the AASM, the Hammer IR proved to be particularly well suited to precision strikes against targets with uncertain coordinates, offering impact accuracy to within a few meters, even when GPS signals were unavailable. Missions are planned using Sagem’s own SLPRM mission planning and restitution system, already in service with the French air force and Navy.
The AASM has already been deployed in foreign theaters of operation, demonstrating its reliability and accuracy, including for long-range missions. Actual operations have shown that it limits collateral damage, and is able to handle high-value targets, previously reserved to cruise missiles, while also neutralizing enemy air defenses from safe standoff distance.
The GPS / inertial version of the AASM guided weapon, with 250 kg bombs, has been in service with the French air force since 2008, and with the French naval aviation since 2010.
A new version with laser terminal guidance, capable of engaging moving targets, is now completing development. Following qualification by the DGA, it will be delivered to French armed forces in 2012.
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Some 225 AASM were fired by the Rafale during the libyan campaign which is about 20% of the bombs used by the french Air Force and Navy
Thursday, October 13, 2011
In the press, Nation Shield 476
The pdf can be downloaded directly on their website
Rafale pictures of the day, MBDA dadabase
If you don't have done it yet, I recommend a visit to the MBDA image data base where several high res pictures of the Rafale B302 can be found. They are of course related to the various weapons developed by the company for the Rafale : Scalp-EG, Meteor, Mica etc. The B302 has been used by the CEAM (French Air Force trial center) to validate several weapon/systems configuations.
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