The TALIOS nacelle has been tested in an operational context
While the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), Dassault Aviation and Thales have just validated the integration of the METEOR long-range air-to-air missile on the Rafale, these same players have also concluded a new flight test The TALIOS nacelle.
Indeed, according to our information, during the course of the beginning of March 2017, a third Revue d'Aptitude à l'Utilization (RAU) was conducted under the aegis of the DGA Essais en Vol.
Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Thales nacelle, the Military Air Experiment Center (CEAM) of the French Air Force and the Aeronautical Experimentation Center (CEPA) / 10S, National Navy).
As for the integration shot of the METEOR, it was the R30 F3-R Rafale B301 which was responsible for all flight tests but associated with other conventional force systems such as A Rafale M of the French Navy and JTAC on the ground (Joint Terminal Attack Controller).
All of these in-flight tests would have been carried out with the TALIOS platform, both day and night.
The objective of these flights was to analyze the capabilities of the TALIOS nacelle in an operational context, where it would operate in a variety of environments, in cities, mountains, rural areas and marine environments.
In addition to observing the behavior of the nacelle in these different environments, according to several sources, tests have been carried out on Close Air Support (CAS) missions with French JTACs equipped with the ROVER system (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver).
In addition, the capabilities of long-range observations have also been analyzed.
Finally, in order to ensure the true performances of the TALIOS, joint flights were conducted with Rafales equipped with the DAMOCLES platform to observe the differences that may exist between these two systems during the treatment of the same objective.
The qualification of TALIOS is expected to take place in 2018, as will its introduction into the armed forces. Of the 45 nacelles that have to equip the Air Force and the French Navy, 20 have already been ordered by France.
As a reminder, the TALIOS is a multifunctional optronic nacelle of the French equipment manufacturer Thales, and successor of the DAMOCLES currently in service in the theaters of operations.
It must be capable of recognizing and identifying potential terrestrial targets, such as aerial targets and, above all, laser targeting in favor of laser-guided air-to-ground weaponry (GBA as AASM).
Capable of being used day or night, this PDL-NG (Pod of Designation Laser - New Generation) will be more powerful than the current nacelle, the DAMOCLES, and must have a TV channel, in color.
All the images collected by this nacelle can be transmitted at the same time to allies in the air as well as in the field, since it will be equipped with an ascending and descending data link.
In addition, coupled with the Rafale F3-R standard, TALIOS must be able to integrate the collected images into a 3D mapping installed in the Rafale computer systems, display tactical elements of the mission on the visual display and carry out a Followed by mobile targets.
Its manufacturer explains that the pod "includes non-traditional NTISR (Non-Traditional Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities with a Permanent Vision system offering a wide field of view and valuable contextual information."
Its ease of assembly and connection with the aircraft currently in service must enable it to be taken to the Rafale Air and Marine, the Mirage 2000D, as well as to the Export aircraft (Egypt in particular).
Announced by Defens'Aero in May 2016, the first flight test campaign was held on April 28, 2016, under the direction of the DGA.
The first flight was made by the Mirage 2000 DGA Test Bench from Cazaux Airbase 120 as it is occupied by the DGA Flight Test site.
