Know Your 'Rafale'

[p2prada]

This springboard may be more attractive to RN than IN. They may look away from F-35B, if they end up with a STOBAR capable Rafale. The article completely forgot about the Elizabeth class. There is a chance that other countries may go for a medium STOBAR carrier with Rafale, like Brazil.

We have already ordered and committed to place Mig-29Ks on our first two carriers. It will make no sense throwing it all away while the Brits are yet to order.

 

[Drsomnath999]

Weapons integration update
Today, Jean-Marc Tanguy learned us that the Armée de l'Air is experimenting single-pilot procedures for the GBU-24 with the Rafale.

This work should be finalized in the coming days.

While some questioned the weapons integration works on Rafale, several articles in previous months revealed that GBU-49, AM-39, and GBU-24 integration were in fact quite advanced...

So, both GBU should be in service or will be in a few days, and we are still waiting for the qualification firing of AM-39.


Meanwhile, the Armée de l'Air talk about the first evaluation firing of the ASMP-A by a Rafale, after a 5 hours long flight, refueling, terrain following, etc. Successful, of course.

It is worth considering that while our first nuclear strike aircraft relied on 30 minutes of Mach 2 cruise to succeed, Mirage 2000N relied on terrain following, and Rafale improves this with a credible self-defence capability : while carrying its ASMP-A, Rafale still brings 6 Mica.
Rafale News: Weapons integration update

 

[Drsomnath999]

France Eyes Sale of Missiles for U.S.-Made F-16 Fighters
France's military procurement agency DGA is considering authorizing the sale by Sagem, a unit of French aerospace supplier Safran SA (SAF.FR), of its AASM air-to-ground missiles to equip the F-16 fighter made by Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) of the U.S., reports Les Echos, citing unnamed sources.

It says the proposal is unlikely to please Dassault Aviation (AM.FR) which makes the Rafale multi-role combat aircraft that competes with the F-16.

Sagem sells the AASM to foreign buyers in cooperation with MBDA, a missile maker whose shareholders include European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co NV (EAD.FR), BAE Systems PLC (BA.LN) and Finmeccanica SpA (FNC.MI).
France Eyes Sale of Missiles for U.S.-Made F-16 Fighters -Report

 

[Drsomnath999]

Spanish and French Naval and air forces make joint exercices
The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the oil-tanker Meuse docked in Cartagena from 17 to 21 June, before beginning a series of maneuvers with the Spanish Navy and Air Force. This was the first time since his call to active duty in 2001, the Charles de Gaulle made a stopover in Spain.

Spanish delegation in front of a plane E2-C HawkEye. At bottom left, a fighter specializing in attacks at sea and ashore, SUPER-ETENDARD MODERNIZES. HE Ambassador of France, Bruno DELAYE. Armada: Fernando Zumalacárregui Luxan VA / CA FERREIRO Manuel SANCHEZ / CV Fernando MARTIN PAZ. Ejercito del Aire: Colonel Alberto Gallego GORDON. Against Admiral Bruno Deméocq / CV Olivier Lebas / Col Ludovic DUMONT

France's ambassador to Spain, Bruno Delaye, visited the aircraft carrier along with the cons-Admiral Deméocq Bruno, commander of the naval group. A visit to the aircraft carrier was organized for the press, Wednesday, June 20, and a cocktail on board, to which were invited many local and national personalities.

The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sailed Thursday, June 21 in the early hours of the morning to get into operational configuration. He has been joined by the frigate and the submarine that had stopped in the Balearics. The morning was devoted to the reconfiguration and operational preparedness trainings that began at 11:00. He was scheduled air raid attack on a British frigate which corsait off. Work combined with a frigate and a submarine Spanish was also performed.

Finally, the Ambassador and the delegation were able to attend the catapulting of a deck that ran to an air combat exercise with the Spanish Air Force. The French Rafale have demonstrated through EUROFIGHTER Spanish had taken off from the airbase of Albacete in Castile-La Mancha. After over an hour of exercises, where the "debriefing" were reported very good results given the level of Spanish crews, was carried to "pick up" aircraft, that is to say, the procedures 'landing. These very complex maneuvers requiring extreme precision of the pilots to land on a platform that moves constantly and extra compact dimensions.

Google Translate

 

[Drsomnath999]

28.06.2012
Following the original request for proposals (RFP) issued in 2007, India announced just a few weeks ago that it intends to purchase 126 Rafale fighters from France. The definitive contract could be signed in 2012. Safran is a major contributor of systems and equipment to this new-generation multirole fighter. We asked Gérard Le Page, head of the Rafale program in India, to give us the contract background.

Which Safran companies are concerned by this contract?

At the head of the list is of course Snecma, which developed and produces the M88-2, Rafale's engine, accounting for 75% of the Group's contribution to the contract by itself. Other Group companies involved are Microturbo for the APU [auxiliary power unit], Messier-Bugatti-Dowty for the landing gear, wheels and brakes, Hispano-Suiza for the power transmissions, Labinal for all wiring harnesses, and Sagem, which contributes the inertial navigation systems, the engine's Fadec electronic control unit, and the AASM modular air-to-ground guided missile, one of the aircraft's major weapons. Other contributions come from Technofan, Aircelle, Herakles and Turbomeca. The contract will represent sales of about 2.5 billion euros for Safran, depending on the weapons chosen, and also entails major production offset arrangements.

Could you describe some of the cutting-edge technologies contributed by these companies?
Well, it's a very long list, because this is a real state-of-the-art fighter, including advanced thermodynamics, materials and electronics for instance. The engine features single-crystal turbine blades, powder metallurgy parts and ceramic matrix composites for the nozzle flaps, along with thin-wall cases for the power transmissions, laser gyros on the inertial navigation systems and of course the very sophisticated guidance system on the AASM "smart" weapon.

Safran has been a preferred partner of India for a number of years. How will their relationship change with this announcement?

The Rafale contract will undoubtedly boost our development in this country, where we have operated since the 1960s. Today, we have more than 2,000 employees in eight subsidiaries and joint ventures, including a design bureau in Bangalore with some 550 engineers. Morpho is participating in the world's largest biometric ID program, that will assign a unique identification number to each citizen and resident of India. CFM International's maintenance teams support a fleet of 350 CFM56 engines deployed by airlines in South Asia. With the Rafale, we expect our business to accelerate considerably. The Indian aviation industry is now under construction. It needs training, technical assistance and technology transfers. So we are going to mobilize to support their rise up the skills chain. In consequence, this contract will result in a hefty business volume for the centers of industrial excellence in France. Furthermore, this impressive contract could have a knock-on effect in other countries who are potential Rafale customers, with proposals already under way.
SAFRAN

 

[Drsomnath999]

FROM FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2011

PICS COURTESY: OLYBRIUS
THANK U FOR INFO MATE

 

[Payeng]

A PDF regarding Rafale demonstrator
http://kovy.free.fr/temp/rafale/pdf/Rafale_demonstrator.pdf

 

[Drsomnath999]

PAF OFFICIALS HAD EVALUATED RAFALE

but they had rejected it
REASON : it did not met our requirements

 

[A chauhan]

^^ really doc :O links ? if true then

Why were they evaluating it when they did not have an Auukaat to buy a single piece of it?

 

[Drsomnath999]

^^ really doc :O links ? if true then

Why were they evaluating it when they did not have an Auukaat to buy a single piece of it?

Well actually i got it from defence PUK .Yes it's quite true why would they pose a photograph infront of rafale .they had also evaluated EF in 2005 same
reason citeted for that's plane rejection also

 

[p2prada]

They rejected Rafale and Typhoon citing requirements. Twin engine, higher maintenance and waaaay too much capability.

They liked Gripen, but it came with American engines. So, they went for F-16s instead because it had equal chances of sanctions, was a bit cheaper and they already had the infrastructure and training facilities for it. In the end they couldn't afford more than 18.

 

[Apollyon]

Pukes rejected :
1. M1A1
2. A-10
3. F-18
4. Apache
5. JAS Grippen for JF-17
5. Rafale
6. EF-2000
7. U-214 in favor of Qing class (most advanced conventional sub with AIP, can carry SLCM and SLBM)

In near future : will possibly reject F-35A Lightening II for J-XXXXXXX

:shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked:

 

[Armand2REP]

Pakistan could never afford new fighters without welfare checks. France wasn't about to hand a voucher to give it away like Yanks or Chinis.

 

[Drsomnath999]

Btw armand where was this picture taken any idea

 

[Armand2REP]

Btw armand where was this picture taken any idea

In 2005 a PAF delegation went to Saint-Dizier to inspect the Rafale. It was around the time they were looking at Eurofighter but realised they were too poor to afford such toys.

 

[Armand2REP]

Rafale Ready to Take Off in India with Safran Systems

14:47 GMT, June 29, 2012

Following the original request for proposals (RFP) issued in 2007, India announced just a few weeks ago that it intends to purchase 126 Rafale fighters from France. The definitive contract could be signed in 2012. Safran is a major contributor of systems and equipment to this new-generation multirole fighter. We asked Gérard Le Page, head of the Rafale program in India, to give us the contract background.


Safran: Which Safran companies are concerned by this contract?

Gérard Le Page: At the head of the list is of course Snecma, which developed and produces the M88-2, Rafale's engine, accounting for 75% of the Group's contribution to the contract by itself. Other Group companies involved are Microturbo for the APU [auxiliary power unit], Messier-Bugatti-Dowty for the landing gear, wheels and brakes, Hispano-Suiza for the power transmissions, Labinal for all wiring harnesses, and Sagem, which contributes the inertial navigation systems, the engine's Fadec electronic control unit, and the AASM modular air-to-ground guided missile, one of the aircraft's major weapons. Other contributions come from Technofan, Aircelle, Herakles and Turbomeca. The contract will represent sales of about 2.5 billion euros for Safran, depending on the weapons chosen, and also entails major production offset arrangements.


Safran: Could you describe some of the cutting-edge technologies contributed by these companies?

Le Page: Well, it's a very long list, because this is a real state-of-the-art fighter, including advanced thermodynamics, materials and electronics for instance. The engine features single-crystal turbine blades, powder metallurgy parts and ceramic matrix composites for the nozzle flaps, along with thin-wall cases for the power transmissions, laser gyros on the inertial navigation systems and of course the very sophisticated guidance system on the AASM "smart" weapon.


Safran: Safran has been a preferred partner of India for a number of years. How will their relationship change with this announcement?

Le Page: The Rafale contract will undoubtedly boost our development in this country, where we have operated since the 1960s. Today, we have more than 2,000 employees in eight subsidiaries and joint ventures, including a design bureau in Bangalore with some 550 engineers. Morpho is participating in the world's largest biometric ID program, that will assign a unique identification number to each citizen and resident of India. CFM International's maintenance teams support a fleet of 350 CFM56 engines deployed by airlines in South Asia. With the Rafale, we expect our business to accelerate considerably. The Indian aviation industry is now under construction. It needs training, technical assistance and technology transfers. So we are going to mobilize to support their rise up the skills chain. In consequence, this contract will result in a hefty business volume for the centers of industrial excellence in France. Furthermore, this impressive contract could have a knock-on effect in other countries who are potential Rafale customers, with proposals already under way.

Company or Organisation Portrait:
Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Safran group has close to 60,000 employees and generated sales of 11.7 billion euros in 2011. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group invests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 1.3 billion euros in 2011. Safran is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index.

defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[Drsomnath999]

Air@Cosmos : First AESA-equipped Rafale will reach the French Air Force in September

The first Rafale team-AESA radar RBE2 Active Phased Array should finally win the airbase 118 Mont-de-Marsan in mid-September, when it was initially expected earlier in the summer. A delay that could be partly justified by the need for prior ownership by the DGA Istres, before the aircraft will be paid for experimentation within the EC-5/330 "Silver Coast "Centre of military air experiences (EHIC).

An experimental site operational approximately 18 months then will open to clear the performance of the new radar and draft the concepts of employment. With twice the range in air-air compared to RBE2-PESA, the'' EASA impose indeed to review some concepts of commitment, while anticipating the arrival of the future long-range missile Meteor which enable EASA to fully exploit the performance.

The device in question - the C137 car - is being completed at Dassault Aviation, in Merignac. If the sensors will be well equipped aircraft of the future fourth generation unit (AESA radar, OSF-IT, DDM-NG), the Rafale is in fact a plane of the third tranche. But its equipment had been ordered under the contract "roadmap" of 2006, which financed most of the configuration of the fourth installment - essentially the EFSA - to support exports. The Air Force should continue to receive PESA radar equipped aircraft until the end about 2013, and declare an initial operational implementation of EASA early 2014.

Google*Traduction

 

[Drsomnath999]

RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2012:

COURTESY: OLYBRIUS
THANK U FOR INFO MATE

 

[Armand2REP]

With twice the range in air-air compared to RBE2-PESA

I thought the increase was only going to be greater than 50%. That would make its range against a fighter sized target 260km.

 

[Drsomnath999]

DEBUNKING OF A RETARD CHINESE MEMBER'S SLANDER AGAINST RAFALE'S STEALTH

1) drop tank is not stealthy

Ans:Rafale has a CFT config
CFT :

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/sponsors/sponsor_rafale/img/fox3_2.pdf

2) Refueling probe is not stealthy

Ans: Refueling probe is covered in RAM and angled for RCS reduction

3) partial S -duct is partially stealthy

Ans:Rafale's kidney shaped Inlets & s duct hide the turbines as much as possible from frontal radar reflection & exposes very negliglbe turbine surface

4) IRST is not stealthy

Ans:IRST surface is covered in gold shield which reflects very less radar energy.

5) Lack of RAM coating is not stealthy

Ans:The entire surface of the plane is covered in RAM coating
http://www.dassault-aviation.com/fi...teur/AUTRES_DOCS/Fox_three/Fox_Three_nr_4.pdf

6)Rounded air ducts are not stealthy

Ans:Air ducts are tucked under the fuselage which hide inlets from top down radar

7) metal framed canopy & clear glass canopy is not stealthy

Ans:The internals of the cockpit are RCS shaped as well as the canopy containing gold and RAM coat on the mounts which reflects very less radar reflection
Saint-Gobain Sully - France

8)Round shielding to hide canard gap is not stealthy

Ans: Canard roots are not rounded at all & those are part of spectra EW suite
http://www.dassault-aviation.com/fi...teur/AUTRES_DOCS/Fox_three/Fox_Three_nr_1.pdf

9) Round (non-shaped) nose is an excellent radar reflector

Ans:Nose area is reduced by its very nature of less surface area roughly tringular in cross section, & has RAM coating & along with saw tooth pattern in it's surface.

10) Uneven underside is not stealthy
Ans: it has RAM coating along with Saw tooth pattern covered in it's underside fuselarge

11)For Rest other points like
a)flat pylon b)round sensor pod c)gap between airduct & fuselarge d)thick bridge between fuselarge & canard

Ans:Rafale was not designed as 5th generation jet, RCS reduction effort was aimed at cancelling hot spots and IR signatures.
but it has revolutionary SPECTRA EW suite along with the help of recently inducted RBE 2 aesa radar which can be easily used to do electronical jamming of enemy's radar waves either from AIR,SEA or LAND .which can make it survivable in facing future threats.

http://www.thalesgroup.com/Press_Releases/Documents/aerospace_pr_Rafale_press_kit_131109/

plus you never know enclosed weapon pods may also be developed in future as it's still in sketches