IAF 80th anniversary...

...how is it related to Rafale ?

Well, easy answer : Rafale International have published their wishes in Indian newspapers :

Congratulations to one of the world's widely respected air force on its 80th year

This ad reminds us that India has been flying fighters designed by French (at least partially) for 60 years, starting with the Toofani (Ouragan), Mytere IV,  Alizé, Jaguar and Mirage 2000.

 Interestingly, the picture shows a Rafale with four Meteor.

First European production AESA fighter delivered

Today, October the 2nd of 2012, Dassault has delivered the Rafale C137 to the DGA. The aircraft should arrive in Mont-de-Marsan (CEAM) soon.

The C137 is the first production Rafale equipped with a production RBE-2 AA (AESA). It is also the first of a kind in Europe. It is also equipped with the brand new FSO and the new DDM-NG.

This is the result of a more than 10 years sustained R&D efforts. The aircraft should undergo an 18 months period of tests and experimentations (discovery of new possibilities) before entering operational service.

Source : DSI Presse

edit, video of the C137 rool out :

In The press, Air & Cosmos article about Military engines

Picture credit Reno62

In its last issue published on Friday september 14th, Air & Cosmos revealed several interresting facts about the Rafale new M88-4E in a special article about military engines.

• 16 M88-4E have been delivered so far
• 20% of the engine is modified compared to the previous version (M88-2E4)
• Improved NATO Tactical Air Cycle (number of actions on the throttle) : up to 4000 cycles instead of 2500c previoulsy.
• Lifespan of  maintenance intensive parts increased by 60%
• All M88 engines delivered so far could be upgraded to -4E standard within 4-5 years
• New evolutions planed on the high pressure turbine (results of the Theo program) to increase the engine thrust (for 2015)
• The assembly of a M88 takes 36 days
• 300 M88 delivered to the French Air Force and Navy
• Talks on the Kaveri using High pressure part of the M88 still going on.
• Technology transfers to the Indian Industry in preparation to allow india to produce the M88 engine

Source : Air&Cosmos 2326

Rafale pictures of the day

High res pictures of the Rafale/Typhoon flight in Scotland last week

Senior Officers in the Royal Air Force and French Air Force traded places on 14 September to fly in Typhoon and Rafale fighter jets in a demonstration of the strong ties which exist between the two air arms. 
source : hmarmedforces.tumblr.com

Rafale C137, first serial production Rafale with AESA Radar

The first serial production Rafale to be delivered with the RBE-2 AESA radar is running its final tests at Dassault aviation Merignac facility. The aircraft is expected at the CEAM (French Air Force technical evaluation center) at the end of September for a 18 months trial period.

The aircraft is also fitted with the new generation IIR missile warning system DDM-NG (the half sphere at the top of the tail fin) and probably the OSF-IT.
Pictures credit : Frenchy on Pics-Aeronef

Rafale pictures of the day

The 70 years of the Normandie Niemen squadron comemorative camo from above
More picture on www.defense.gouv.fr
And a superb reportage on FoxAlpha by Franck Cabrol

 

╕Franck Cabrol

Rafale and Typhoon pilots switching planes

As announced a few weeks ago, a French Air Force Rafale pilot and a RAF Typhoon pilot are about to exchange their fighter jet.

Captain Marc-Antoine Gerard who is flying the Rafale since 2008 will therefore be integrated in an RAF Typhoon squadron while lieutenant Matt Johnstone will spend 2 years at the Normandie Niemen squadron (Mont de Marsan Air Base).

This exchange project was formalized last September 14th by a 90 min demonstration flight of the 2 jets over Scotland with  RAF Air Vice-Marshal Stuart Atha and the Commander of the French Air Force Command, Lieutenant General Guillaume Gelée on board.

[...]During the 90 minute flight the pair of aircraft flew at low and medium-level in Western Scotland to demonstrate handling characteristics before splitting to show the officers the various systems on each type of aircraft.[...]

Sources : RAF, Air&Cosmos

In the meantime, defense journalist Jean Marc Tanguy indicates on his blog that some typhoon will come to the Saint Dizier Air Base in October in order to develop new operational tactics for joint Typhoon/Rafale operations.