France Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
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MiG-29
Banned Idiot
PICTURE: France accepts first AESA-equipped Rafale
PrintBy: Craig Hoyle London 05:11 2 Oct 2012 Source:
Dassault and its industry partners on the Rafale combat aircraft have achieved a significant programme milestone with the delivery of the first production example to feature an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Handed over to France's DGA defence procurement agency at Dassault's Merignac assembly site on 2 October, single-seat aircraft C137 will enter French air force service with the Thales RBE2 radar. The DGA says it will be delivered to Mont-de-Marsan air base "in the coming days
Delivery of the first RBE2 has been achieved "on time and on budget", Dassault and Thales say in a joint statement. A schedule outlined last year calls for the new array to be ready to enter frontline use in mid-2013, and to equip the latest batch of 60 aircraft on order for the French air force and navy. The new F3-04T-standard fighter also has improved front sector optronics equipment from Thales and the DDM-NG passive missile approach warning system, produced by MBDA.
The Rafale has gained an operational AESA sensor before European rivals the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, its developers note. Also included in French proposals to export the so-called "omnirole" platform to Brazil and India, the RBE2 offers increased detection range, improved reliability and reduced maintenance demands versus the radar's earlier passive array.
A total of 111 Rafales have been delivered so far from combined orders for 180 aircraft, according to the DGA. This includes 36 M-model examples for the French navy and 37 Cs and 38 two-seater Bs for the air force.
PrintBy: Craig Hoyle London 05:11 2 Oct 2012 Source:
Dassault and its industry partners on the Rafale combat aircraft have achieved a significant programme milestone with the delivery of the first production example to feature an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Handed over to France's DGA defence procurement agency at Dassault's Merignac assembly site on 2 October, single-seat aircraft C137 will enter French air force service with the Thales RBE2 radar. The DGA says it will be delivered to Mont-de-Marsan air base "in the coming days
Delivery of the first RBE2 has been achieved "on time and on budget", Dassault and Thales say in a joint statement. A schedule outlined last year calls for the new array to be ready to enter frontline use in mid-2013, and to equip the latest batch of 60 aircraft on order for the French air force and navy. The new F3-04T-standard fighter also has improved front sector optronics equipment from Thales and the DDM-NG passive missile approach warning system, produced by MBDA.
The Rafale has gained an operational AESA sensor before European rivals the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, its developers note. Also included in French proposals to export the so-called "omnirole" platform to Brazil and India, the RBE2 offers increased detection range, improved reliability and reduced maintenance demands versus the radar's earlier passive array.
A total of 111 Rafales have been delivered so far from combined orders for 180 aircraft, according to the DGA. This includes 36 M-model examples for the French navy and 37 Cs and 38 two-seater Bs for the air force.
IMHO, they should be building 250 of them. These builds of less than 200 aircraft will simply not be enough if things really ever get out of hand and a major war comes along. The Chinese understand this and are building accordingly.
The US, France and other western countries are simply building too few to be able to handle any attrition in the event of major hostilities where air power is contested. it is as if the western planners believe that there will never, ever be another conflict where anyone can challenge them. Again, IMHO, a serious mistake.
But, you have to admit all the same, it is a beautiful aircraft and very capable.
navyreco
Senior Member
At the 23rd EURONAVAL show to be held from 22 to 26 October 2012 at the Paris-le Bourget exhibition center, DCNS will unveil several new designs of submarines and surface vessels. Among them are the new FREMM-ER (for Extend Range) Frigate dedicated to Air Defense missions and an updated design for the BRAVE replenishment ship which was first unveiled two years ago at Euronaval 2010.
The FREMM-ER was designed with a focus on Air Defense and possibly Anti Ballistic Missile Defense. The hull and general platform of the vessel is almost identical to the French Navy's and DCNS' FREMM class. However the two masts (Herakles radar and electronic warfare) found on the current FREMM (such as the Aquitaine frigate) is replaced by a new radar by Thales called SF 500 (or Sea Fire 500). The new Thales radar seems to be similar in concept to the Lockheed Martin's AEGIS - AN/SPY-1D multi-function phased-array radar system with its four fixed arrays noticeable on all 4 sides of the main mast.
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At Euronaval 2012, DCNS will be showing an updated design for the BRAVE class. As you can see in the images above and below, most of the redisgn work has been focused on the bow and stern of the ship. The bow is now inverted for better sea-keapping and there is now only one helicopter spot while the previous design had space for two helicopter spots. The sole spot is still able to accomodate heavy helicopters however (35 t). There is still space for two helicopters in the hangar.
Very nice. The French have an effective and long term plan for their own Naval Warfare needs. They are very experienced and advanced in their capabilites. Those new French FREMM vessels will be very capable, and their new supply ship looks awesome and I am sure will carry beaucoup resources.
Still waiting to see if and when they build a second carrier.
MiG-29
Banned Idiot
IMHO, they should be building 250 of them. These builds of less than 200 aircraft will simply not be enough if things really ever get out of hand and a major war comes along. The Chinese understand this and are building accordingly.
The US, France and other western countries are simply building too few to be able to handle any attrition in the event of major hostilities where air power is contested. it is as if the western planners believe that there will never, ever be another conflict where anyone can challenge them. Again, IMHO, a serious mistake.
But, you have to admit all the same, it is a beautiful aircraft and very capable.
i do not think so, in a major war, aircraft are useless, in a major war ICBMs and SLBM are far more important.
Aviation these days is more a tactical rather than an strategic weapon.
But as a fighter, Rafale is excellent, good aerodynamics, and excellent avionics, it supercuises.
So pretty much is one of the best fighters fielded these days.
As a tactical weapon is a really good one, i do not know if it will remain like that well into the 2020s, but if Europe`s new passive radar works as it is claimed, and it can detect stealth aircraft, i feel Europe`s NeuroN UCAVs and Rafales will be a force to reckon well into the 2020s
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