‘ VOLUME 4 international AIR POWER REVIEWinternational AIR POWER REVIEW AIRtime Publishing United States of America * United Kingdominternational AIR POWER REVIEW Published quarterly by AlRtime Publishing Ine {US office 120 East Avenive, Norwalk, CT 06851 {UK ofce: CAB International Centre, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 SDE (© 2002 AIRtime Publishing Inc. 3.24 cutaway © Aerospace Publishing Lxd Rafale cutaway © Mike Badrocke/Aviagraphica Photos and other lustations ae the copyright of thee respective owners Softbound Eidtion ISSN 14739917 / ISBN 1-880588.38-2 Hanlcover Deluxe Casebound Ealtion ISBN 1:88058839-0 Publisher Mel Wiliams | Editor David Donald Assistant Editors John Heathcote, Daniel J. March Sub Editor Karen Leverington Us Desk “Tom Kaminski Russia/CIS Desk Piotr Butowski, Zaur Eylanbekov Europe and Rest of World Desk John Fricker, Jon Lake Correspondents “Argentina: Jorge Felix Nuiiez Padin ‘Australia: Nigel Pitaway ‘Begum: Dick Lamarque Brazil: Claudio Lucehest ‘Bulgaria: Alexander Mladenov Canada: Jet Rankio- Lowe France: Henri Pierre Grolleas ‘India: Pushpindar Singh ‘Israel: Shlomo Alon aly: Laigino Caliaro Japan: osbitomo Aoki Netherlands Tieme Festner ‘Romana: Danst Vlad ‘Spain: Salvador Mafé Huertas USA: Rick Burges, Brad Eiward, Peter Mersky, Bll Sweetman Artists ‘Mike Badrocke, Chris Davey; Zaur Eylanbekoy, Keith Fretwell, ‘Mark Rolfe, Andre Salnikoy, John Weal, Ian Wylie Designer aut Eylanbekov Controller Linda DeAngelis Origination by Chroma G Printed in Singapore by Ki All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, ‘stored electronically or transmitted ip any manner or in any form whatsoever ‘without the written permission ofthe publishers and copyright holders. International Air Power Review is published quarterly in. two editions Goftbound and Deluxe Caschound) and is available by subscription oF as single volumes, Please sce detalls opposite, hes, Singapore Printing Acknowledgments ‘We wish to thank the following for their kind help with the preparation of this issue: Marin Howman Del Holland, Marin Saker Pil Jaret “Tom Newdick saan Pet Michael Stroud “The author ofthe Rail article would keto thank Yves Robs, Jean ‘Cams Yves Kerherve Philippe Rebound Plere Deere for tele ‘ind help, especialy organi the famalaration Might ‘The author ofthe 320 Squadron feature would lke o thank LIZ. 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USSI9._ US $46 Sems $1150 S11 S12MURI920 Cin$I9.—USS25USSs2Volume Four Spring 2002 CONTENTS Aik POWER INTELLIGENCE Programme Update 4 Project Development 4 Upgrades and Modifications 6 Procurement and Deliveries 10 Air Arm Review 4 Operations and Deployments 15 Jobn Fricker and Tom Kaminski; additional material by Daniel J March News Report Operation Enduring Freedom 16 David Donata Dersrier Israeli F-15 Upgrades 30 Sblomo Alont Operation Noble Eagle 31 Dantel J Mareb SPECIAL FEATURE ‘Night Stalkers’ — the 160th SOAR 34 Ted Carison Puoro FEATURE 93 Zrakoplovna Baza — Croatian Air Force Academy and Fire-fighting Base 44 Heinz Berger and Erich Strobl Focus AIRCRAFT Dassault Rafale 50 A symbol of national prestige and technological capability, France's Raale is among the exclusive band of aircraft which can justi the tag super fighter. Although its development has been driven by French needs, it boasts considerable export potential Henri Pierre Grolleau AIR PoWER ANALYSIS USAF — Air Combat Command 86 Tom Kaminskt PHOTO FEATURE Angelholm — F10 Skanska Flygfotilj 94 Luigino Catiaro VARIANT BRIEFING Beriev Be-12 ‘Mail’ 98 Aleksandr Zablotskiy and Andrei Satnikot; ‘additional material by Colonel Anatoliy Artemyeo A Compa USAF Gunships in Vietnam: Part 1 112 Larry Davis WARPLANE CLASSIC Consolidated B-24 Liberator: Part 1 126 Robert E Dorr and Jon Lake Compar Covours 320 Squadron, MLD 164 Eric Katerberg PIONEERS AND PROTOTYPES Myasishchev M-50 ‘Bounder’ 172 Boris Puntus and Konstantin Udatov; translated by Rauf Eylanbekou INDEX 182 ‘MAJOR FEATURES PLANNED FOR VOLUME FIVE Focus Aircraft: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, Warplane Classic: Saab J 35 Draken, Technical Briefing: Kamov Ka-50 ‘Hokum’ family, Air Power Analyst India, Air Combat: Gunships in Vietnam: Part 2, Variant File: Dornier Do 217PROGRAMME UPDATE Eurofighter Typhoon Following an extensive lay-up, Eurofighter EF2000 provotype DA, one of the 10 devel ‘opment airraft based at BAF Systems’ Warton facily in England, recently re-entered the fight test programme. During the lay-up the aitcraf's avionics and power-generation systems were ‘upgraded and it completed ground Wials asso lated with the first phase ofthe defensive aids sub-system (DAS) at the company’s elecronic ‘arlare test facility at Warton, The aircraft's first flight. back in the programme was used t© verily a variety of systems including engines, ‘dar, AMRAAM sil integration, and grouin! proximity wat fing system (GPWS). Subsequent fights will involve flight tals to suppor the fighters inital clearance into service next yeu. Ital tests will Concentrate on the weapon system integration hherween the AMRAAM and ASRAAM missiles, fadar and GPWS, Subsequent Mights. will inchide assessment of the DASS, and. live AMRAAM flight trials, The AMRAAM flight trials will lead up to the first fully guided firing ofan AMRAAM against an aitbore target, Benbeecula deep-sea range off northwest x! early in 2002, exmany, the Lufiwafle is reassessing orig inal plans for only 40 of is planned. 180 urofighters 10 be equipped for groundattack totals 1), 58/10 in Tranche 25 well as alr defence, from later procurement with a view 10 doubling multirole EF. 2000 rom its DM2S billion (USS115 billion) urofighter programme, Germany is currently ‘due t receive 28 single-seat and 16 two-seat aircraft from the fist production batch (Tranche and 61/7 in Software for main aieto-surface roles is pl for introduction in Tranche 2, between 2005- 2010, and funher expanded in Tranche 3 fr full anche 3 nec ‘Wit the Us Cho ofthe Ait Stat aboard, DA $ roars Int th ar rom te Warton base in Decomber 2007 folowing an extensive refit. Ater inital system als, Might assesament and analysts othe DASS, including ‘vangogh ial, wil bo card outa RAF Spadeadam ia Cumbria, the RAP electronic wartare test rane. swing role capability, from 2011-2014 ‘As the Luftwaffe’ first nominated Eurofighter unit, JG 73 will replace ts MDC FAP Phantom Project DEVELOPMENT fapan 40 aircrat forthe JASDF, to replace Japan__ 31 Rawat C1 tarpon nd 80 New transport/patrol aircraft rca for she SDF replain The Japanese Defense Agency has the 88 Kawasaki/Lockhee selected Kawasaki Heavy P/EP-3Cs currently in ser Industries to lead the development Funding. will come from the of a new transport aircraft for the respective USSL.2 billion CX ar Air SeltDefence Force (ASDF) $16 billion PX funding alloc and a new maritime patwol plane tions, and. the (wo {pes ate the Maritime Self-Defence expected to employ a, main Force (JMSDF). The agency common airframe. The first tof pects to purchase approximately in prototype form is scheduled t Following to ot ut coromony on 31 October 20, the F0pratnype is de to make is !maiden fightin ate spring 22 Thre farther ul cae development FD) cat will {ein the ts progan, before the rst prodocion examples ety inate 205. pe the P-X in 2006, powered by to serve as an Airborne Electronic four possibly indigenous medium- tack (AEA) concept aircraft. The st turbofans, The C-X, to follow fight tests measured. ‘noise. and from 2007, will have two larger vibration data and assessed. the impored ‘turbofans, to lift a Super Hornet's flying. qualities 2é-tonne payload while equipped with the AN/ALQ-99 jamming pods snd two South Korea_ ‘T-50 rolled-out First fight of the (KADIL Golden Eagle tansonic digital EAB Prowler electronic. warfare My-by-wie advanced. trainer is acral. nal rollout at’ Sachon on Boeing tankers? 31 October pver vee The USAF could soon become a months ahead of sche customer for the Boeing 767 tnke bilion programme, the T-50 proposal that would provide the ely rewembles an 8D per cent service with 100 act under scale F-16, with underwing To-year lease arrangement at a cost inakes for ts 78:71 of appronimately 822 billion. PHO4-GE-402lferburning tu an. The 94 alcaft planned for Osprey progress ROKAF procurement wil inde A National Aeronautics and Space 1 A'50 light combat versions. Administration (NASA) pane! has The fit prochicion aircraft will recommended tet he USMC resume follow six development protypes fighetesing of the Dell Bocing by late 2005 MV-228 Osprey titsoor aver The Osprey fect was grounded in United States Decemfe 20 newake oe EW Super Hormet variant Te programme has undergone P/ACIBP that had been configured redesigned and sotware has beenAir Power Intelligence jm and MiG-29 aie defence squadrons at Lage from 2003, followed by similar re-equipment of JG Ws two FAP squadrons at Neuburg. Tornado IDS replacement will not begin in the JBG.31 {ground attack wing at Nérvenich until 3007-0, but some withdrawals will start this year with planned! disbandment of BG 4 at Memmingen, Airbus A400M. Abus and. its partners expected! 10 finalise frders for 196 AM00M military transport aircraft by mid-November 2001. The orders include 73, raft for Germany. 50 for France, 27 for Spain, 25 for the United Kingdom, 10 for Turkey, 8 for Belgium and one for Luxembourg. Italy had ceatier announced plans to purchase 16 aicrlt, however the possible withdrawal of taly has faised concerns regarding the viability of the $16 billion project. Italy's Defence Minister recently announced that its air force didnot ‘need the 16 aircraft it had planned to buy. The Programme's minimum requirement is for 200 Aicraft, however an Hallan withdrawal would leave Airbus Miltary with just 196 orders. Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 locked Martin's Missile and Fire Control divi sion has delivered an engineering and manufac turing development (EMD) version of its Night Vision Piotage System (NVPS) forthe US Army's RAF66 Comanche armed reconnaissance heli- copter to Boeing, which is the mission equip ‘ment package integrator. The NVPS completed safery-oF ight testing in Orlando before ship- ‘ment to Boeing's System Integration Laboratory (SIL) in Philadelphia, where integration testing i being conducted. Once the SIL testing. is ‘complete, the equipment will be retumed 19 Tockheed Martin where it will be equipped with instrumentation in preparation for installation ‘on the RAFL4GA for subsequent fight tests “The US Amy is proposing to reschedule the development programme, allocating adlional Funds from the inital production budget into the engineering and manufuctring development (EMD) phase to address number of system Shonils tn adiion the number of EMD frames may be reduced 1 10 keep costs ‘own To compensate forthe lower production bradget itis proposed dt annual flkate proton be Bont rom 6210 96, elcing the overall prstction run by some eight yes ‘with Savings in the egion of US83 bilo. These Stings would allow the US Ary to purchase 1213, Comanches as planned, willow the programme going significantly over budget ‘Showing the diteriog tail rangement, RAN Provnypes 1 and 2 are continuing to tet avionics and ‘mission systoms as part ofthe EMO phase. rewritten, Significant design HM.Mk 1. anti-submarine heli: likely that each deployed carrier an MEVGOR squadron will operate Changes have been made to the copters, will inially attempt to sell will have one ME-60S squadron from the carter in the anti-subma- hydraulic’ system, the engine the Merlin to the USAF as a combat assigned 10 provide SAR/CSAR, rine warfare ole and light aitbome nacelle and flight control software, search and rescue (CSAR) aircraft, vertical replenishment (VERTREP) multi-purpose system (LAMPS) Which were blamed for the 11 ind aitborne mine countermea- missions. from escort vessels. By December 2000 crash that killed the four crew members, He3) at The aircraft had been assigned California to Marine Tiltrotor training Squadron VMMT-204 at MCAS New River, North Carolina, where eight Ospreys are currently grounded Two additional USMC Ospreys are located at NAS Patuxent, River, MH-60S, Maryland and the USAF has two In preparation for its initial prototypes of the CV-228 Special deployment, the MH-GOS entered Gperations variant at Edwards operational evaluation (OPEVAL) APB, California. Although the testing during November 2001. The aircraft has remained grounded, — tess, which wil include operations production has continued and from a variety of ships and facil hhumber of new aircraft are also tes, will determine the operational Stored at Bell Helicopter’ facilty effectiveness and suitability of the in Amarillo, Texas, The Marines helicopter in the combat support hope to restime flight testing in the role, and are scheduled 10. be spring of 2002 once the aicrat hhave been modified, and have est rated that iti years for the ‘operational take one t0 to jncraft to. become American Merlins AgustaWestland and Lockheed Marin have announced an agree ‘ment that will allow the later to market the EH-I01 helicopter to the US military. Lockheed Martin, t ‘which developed the systems that ‘equip the Royal Navy's. Medin MH-60S progress with the MH-G0S in August 2001 Following this, HC-5 at Andersen AFB, Guam, Station Norfolk, Ving the first Meet units to ‘completed in January 2002 HG-11 at NAS North Island will be the last combat support (HC) squadron to operate Knight and is scheduled to receive its fire MELGOS meaning that the Sea Knight could be phased out of the navy inven- tory by 2004, assume the combat search rescue (CSAR) rol the HH-GOH in 2006, the models are ‘NAS North commenced and HC at Naval a, will be perate the he HAG Sea in. March 2003, The MH-GOS will now assigned two new Seahawk in service, K appexs Ses (AMM) for the entie carrier battle group (CVG), Adal ily, UH-INs and UH-3Hs, used in the Intl igh wal of Boing’ Aibore Electronic Atack concept based around the AIF Super Hore aire, have commenced. Theatr s sen her confiured ‘with single ANALO29 jamming pod on each outioard wing pylon and farther ANALO-9 00 tho underteseloge tationAir Power Intelligence ‘Above: 22 Raptr 606i seen on ts ight ove the Californian desert in late 201, ‘Note the apparent diferent nol arrangement tthe end ofeach pipe. The ‘rival in Sansa 200 of Raptor 407 wl lieve some othe pressure a eet the ‘dedicated ital operations Test aod Evolution phase, scheduled for Apr 2002 SAR role at Naval Air Stations. readiness squadrons (FRS) for the "The MH-618 will also replace the new models MH-S3E Sea Dragon inthe airborne mine countermeasites. (AMM) C-130J-30 testing role, which wil rel in a merger ‘The USAR, US army and Lockheed Of the Combat Suppor (HC) and Manin recently completed oin Mine Countermeasures, (HM) test programme that validated the ‘communities, The last MH-S3Es will C-130)-30s ability to conduct par be retired in 2010. The Atlantic and troop airdrop operations, The US Pacific Naval Aie Forees will each Army Aitborne and. Special ‘eventually operate individual feet Operations Test Directorate (USAASOTD) at Fort Bragg, Nor Carolina, conducted the tests and the aircraft were flown from Pope AFB, which adjoins For Bragg Demonstrations included the deployment of up to 92 paratroops at a time using doors located on both sides of the aft fuselage, and the rapid ground evacuation of the aircraft by up to, 128 oops, {At the conclusion of testing, the airerafe returned 10 Lockheed Manin’s Marietta, Georgia, facility in preparation for delivery 10 the Rhode Island Air National Guard's Lied Adit Wing, The first two arrived in Providence, Rhode Island on 2 December 2001 Raptor developments On 2t September 2001 the F-22 Combined Tes Team met another igh The fre of 0 Boll Ure forthe USMC made ts iden {ight on 20 December 201 milestone when Raptor 4005 Iounched an’ AIM-120 AMRAAM within lethal range of its target scoring a ‘hit! against the Unmanned target aireraft. The ‘demonstration was the first live test fof the avionics site's ability to track and destroy a tamget. ‘The demonstration took place at approximately 40,000 ft (12192 m) ‘over the Pacific Missle Test Range. Boosting the Combined Te Force's programme, Raptor 4077 atrived “at” Edwards “AFR on 5. fanuary 2002, from Lockheed Martin's Marieta plant, The aircraft will be used as a second missile fest aircraft and is equipped with integrated sensor fasion capabil ies" that encompass electronic warfare, radar and communica ions capabilities pe iveyeiire TIONS Australia production modifications are being a incertae by Raytheon. Systems AP-3C deliveries begin Australia at Avalon, Victoria, Three Redelivery last October of the fist more upgraded Orions will be two of 17 RAP Lockheed AP-5C redelivered by April 2002, for Phase (Orion maritime patrol aia to be I programme completion by eatly upgraded by Raytheon with new 2004. Phase IIB of Project Air 5276, missions system equipment was now in hand, involves procurement reponedly over three years behind of three ex-USN P-3B Orions from the originaly-planned schedule. As AMARC Storage for RAAF taining Phase Il of the RAAFS Project Ait and transpor use 5276 programme, the Orion avion ics upgrade was delayed by Canada missions and fight systems software |<< integration problems, which have New aerial tanker plans helped to push the originally quoted Plans were revealed in late 2001 by January 1995 $A747'5 milion (now the Canadian Armed) Forces (0 {USS377.2 million) costs to SABHO regain a sratepc ar refuelling capa million (USS440 milion) bility, Jost in 1997 following. the ‘After a prototype AP-3C upgrade withdrawal of is two Boeing conversion by the former CC-137 (707). tanker/transpons, Esysiems in Greenville, Texas, Rectification is planned from 6 conversion of two of the CAFS five Airbus CC-150 Polaris with aie re cling equipment, Modification, in cooperation with the German air force and industry, is proposed to boring the aircraft ‘to A310. MRTT (Gnultirole tankertranspor) stan dard with underwing Flight Refueling Mk 3215 hose anrogue pods, The Canadian CC-1505 are planned for redelivery in 2005-04, for a target programme cost below $100 milion (863 milion) Egypt Apache upgrade contract Toop dlocoees len for upgrade nnd) remanutacture of 38, EAE AH-648 atack helicopters to next fenention AFLGID Apache san Eerdo announced. in’ September 2000, finally resuted in USS400 iillon FMS contact signature on 3 December 2001. Bocing as authorised to begin procuring Tonglead items in March 200% for the’ USS2419. million Egyptian upgrade order, for tedeliveries from 2003, The AH64D's associ. ated Lockheed Martin/Nonbrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow Fie-coniol radar isnot included in the upgrade package. Germany A310 MRTT conversions The first phase of a twostage programme to convert four of Seven GAF Airbus A3103045 as tankertranspons was completed in December 2001 by the Airbus A310 MRTT Ale Force Consortium, Te involved intial modification by DASA'S Elbe Flugzeugwerke subsidiary in Dresden, with 3 3.58 x 257 m UL74 x 843) forward Fuselage cargo door and eeitorced floors: Three. similar “conversionsAir Power Intelligence The IDFAF has commenced operations with CH-58 armed wit uptight laser guided IAI MBT Ninrod missiles, belived to havea range nthe region of 1 (ao kl This example i oon Siring 9 Nimrod rig Ia tats nthe 198 ‘Above: ncreasng the curont range of F16-lightretveling UFR) options i the newly ‘eveled A Lahay probe modification, seen hee on IDPAF F16 Barak 37 The {italian offers the FS the felt to rete ran boon or degoo-ouipped tankers ced by Lufthansa Teck burg Pubsbutel work is then a beginning in Hamburg to install tanker equipment, comprising a ight Refueling Mi 328 hose-and pod under each wing on ad rely refuelling boom, and a perator’s position India 1143 upgrade launched programme to upgrade the mission stems avionics and. operational Gipabilives of five Hyushin I-38 May’ maritime patroVASW airraft was started last year by the original manufacturers in Moscow. llyusbi Aviation received a USS75 million subcontract from the Indian Defence Minisiry 10 undertake structural alterations to the airerat ts USS30 anced electronic warfare and gence. (EW/ELIN} MiG-27 modernisation Upgrades of some. 40 of 165 MiG-27L Bahadur ground-attack Following 0 decision o retain the Mi-29 25 ts primar hte, Bulgaria's defence minister as anounced tht» tondor will bo issued covering an upgrade forthe ait fares loa of 21 MiG23 fighter. Seen at Gr lgnative AB in lt 2007, this sone ‘ony tree MiG-28 curently aiworty, the cers grounded bya lack of pars fighters licence-built by HAL 1984-1997 are planned from USS130_ million funding. i 02 military procure Tn Russia, the tuts. avionics in the upgrade package ‘which may also include anal refueling system Malaysia ‘Tanker conversions lockheed Martin recent began a two Royal Malaysian Air 30H and will equip the ons with Flight Refueling Limited equipment and an 1.800-US gal (stir) fuel tank devel ped wo her Malaysian C-130Hs will be modded tothe stretched C-1304130 cont ration by the Malaysian Airod Sendiran Berti Poland ‘Hind’ upgrade plans Further progress has been repo with the ZI825 milion (US$202. million) programme for-missions systems upgrades of the Polish Anny Air Force's 30 or 30. Mil Mi24D ‘Hind’ and 14 Mé24V Hind-E’ tack helicopters. Apart equipment. These inchide a por from meeting NATO standards, new side retractable ait refueling svionics will confer probe, and digital _ electronic Control for its Stun Lyulka AL-3TE turbofans, Limited avionics upgndes, cost ing about USSL million per aca attack capabilities with easter of Weslem weapons Polish “Hind” update’ contend include teams led by BAE Systems, Using Hellre/Brimstone, Rafael were planned for up to 20 WS NED Dandy or NT-S Spike series Su-27UBMS and Su-30KNs by late ntitank missiles (ATMs), TAT's 2001. From abut 650 Su-27 series Tamam Division, also with NT-D/S built by KnAAPO and IAPO forthe or similar ATMS, and. Rostvertol/ WS, 7080 per year will be Mis extant Mi35M, with AT4"9 upgraded from 2002 Ina changes Shurm of Atak missles. Also comprise a single 127 x 127 an competing are Thales and SAGEM, (5x 5 in) MFLSS liquid-crystal cock Euromisile’s HOT-3 ATMs, pit MFD, new head-up display and and South Africa's Advanced —upsfront control panel, pus GPS, for Technologies & Engineering Mk ill new —ground-attack capabiltes. ade package, with Denel Operations will then_be_ possible tron Ingwe or Mokopa ATMs. with Kh-3IA/P (AS-17 “Kiypton’ — Kh29T (AS14 ‘Kedge), and other Russia precision guided munitions Aaditionaly, work has reponedly aso stared by Federal Research & Production Centre (FRPC) Saya to ‘Su-27/30 upgrade progress force Sulehoi Su-27/30 single- and uprate the Si-27/30's Lyulka AL-31F fworseat combat aircraft avionics turbofan from is current ipgnides included the start of (27,387. Ib) thrust 10 ie Might-tests last year of two wwo-seat prototypes. ‘comprised the Su-30KN (G8730 Ib). Bench ronning sind wil reach 147 KN late 2002. Some Which fist flew in March 1959, as Russian industry reports claim that he Su-30MKR, and the Su-27UBM work on further AL-31 thrust-vector S/n 20), delivered from IAPO on ing development from complex 6 March 2001, The upgraded twin- swivelling nozzles in the ‘Si-30 stick Su30KN differs from the series i tapering off, since similar BM only by its more exten- agility is being achieved from ive operational avionics and advances in y-by-wire softwareHawks costing some US$30 milion also ordered in 208. by th RA, for delivery in 2002 bree Thailand's narcotic in United Kingdom 100th Tornado GR. Mk 4 BAE Systems recently delivered the 100th ‘Tornado GRMKe 4 mid-l spdate (MLL strike aircraft to th Royal Air Force, ‘The GRMK 4 rogrumme provides the cari NASA's testbed Hornets | enabling the latest weapons anc ‘Smoke generators are used to show the paths | duced. Systems include athe ‘af wingtip vortices bind the two NASA aging and. laser de [ait corentyenployed inthe Aatonomous | and are a cohesive team. Th are a great group of people and T will be her until rete, The people are dedicated at doing their jobs and you do not have to ask them to do things. For what we use it for. the kis the best helicopter out there, The MEI-60 was built forthe crew and to safely get the people in the back to their destination. With more third-world conflicts n lever, and with the US declaring Ww rational terrorism, the 160th Inelicopters are vital in. meeting US military demands. The "Night Stalkers’ and their capable Special Operations helicopters stand ready t0 Transitioning from nalog, such as the UH MH-60K seems o come ill IEGOK is ‘Night Stalkers be wherever needed within hours, and to be on f minus 30 seconds! 762mm cases fall as MUSIK door gunner fires his [M194 The MH.BDis the most aumeros ofthe Specie ‘ps hlicoptore and hae seen sevice in conf, including Aighonistan, oralThe aircraft of Zadar-Zemunik Air Base, Croatia, photographed by Heinz Berger and Erich Strobl 93 Zrakoplovna Baza (Air Force fase 93) at Zadar-Zemunik, Croatia is home to the training arm of the Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo (HRZ, Croatian air force). The air force academy shares the base with 's airborne fire- ighting force, controlled and operated by the HRZ. at Air Base's origins reach back over ars: during World War Il was used the. Reichsluftwalfe (specifically 3rd Reich Air Aeronautica, In RV) academy. moved rears on the island of Vis, In the cath s lasted two years and be school grade, The academy later ‘epted_non-comnmissioned officers (NCOs) hin 1968, the ac as extended to tree years. Today the course is four years in duration ~ meen si Although Z lem headuae ters, only pans of the labus ~ screen. nd Isic training, inclucing aerobaties on, for both’ fixed: Advanced including training was don sly Titograd, now capital of 1 helicopter training ik place at Mostar (now in Bosnia Hercegovina), Regular JRV academy operations continued at Zadar until 1991 Zadar was also home to three squad KO G-2 Galebs, each with 20 aircraft, and fone squadron of SOKO FI Jasrebs, also with ‘machines, Basic tani the base included 14-16 exampl in and UTVA. types duties, sx93 Zrakoplovna Baza noth eo ith il Squadron (ExOPH), ‘hile tivo more wore in training, on the PCD course.reste planned o ade: futuro, ad take options 99Omnirole fighter Along with Sweden's Gripen, the Rafale is almost certainly to be the last major combat aircraft to be developed in Europe by a single nation. Arising from Dassault’s ACX programme revealed in 1982, what matured as the Rafale was briefly one of three contenders to form the basis of the Eurofighter, until France left the discussion table in 1985, at which point the two programmes diverged. By going it alone, the Rafale has suffered from few of the political problems and attendant delays which have dogged its rival, and also allowed the French aviation industry to flourish in areas of cutting-edge technology. The result is a highly advanced aircraft which is already in service and assured of a large home market. To highlight its capabilities and export potential, its makers have dubbed it the ‘omnirole’ fighter — able to perform any task required of it in the current and future battlespace.1 the 1985, when Rafal wes underdevelopment it was considered that current and projected ‘vinics capabilities would alleviate much ofthe pilat’svadtonal workload slowing hiner concentrate on the important aspects of conducting the mission a hand In th igh of Gul War ‘experiance, France became one ofthe isto ade that the workond ona single pilot would be to ‘much na sophisticated stke missin scenario in heavily dolended vironment, with the result {hat the order was revised include a majority of two-seatrs. At th tine, this decision was derided ‘by many, bat other programmes have subsequently rived at a sina conclusion Saab (ripe) ‘Boeing (Super Hornet, Mikoyan (MiG-29H2, Sukhoi (Su 20) and even Euoighter ar ether pursuing ‘or studying tly ‘nssoniodwo-sentor, able to hande the most conpex of mission asking ‘Which ae expected to laclude command and control of other combat sera ond of UCAVThe imposing fom of Aafele M riees above the ‘eam fom the catapult of Charos de Gaul. When it amet Rae procurement ‘the needs ofthe Atronevale ‘were considered more pressing than those ofthe ‘mee de Ai withthe ‘scl tha the first. ‘peratonalarrat were ‘elveredtoLandvisau fom Foti 126 In ing ate ai defence Capability was restored to the caer air roy. Heving dropped the Super” from ts appellation the ‘Mirage a000 company: funded prototype for an Fisclecs supertigher e- ‘emerged in 198 939 als ‘irra forthe Rate ‘programme. Among the Srae twas used research was the ‘performance in urbulon ait ‘fan aieraft equipped with lose coupled canard forepanes. Naval Air Station marked the entry into service of the Rafale, the lntest combat aircraft designed and produced by Dassault Aviation. With the Rafal, the French Armed Forces have entered the 21st Century with one of the most modern fighters in use anywhere “The history of the Rafale programme can be tried back to the mid-1970s, when the Aéronavale and the Armée de [Air (AdA) started 10 look at vatious options 1 replace sircraft then in service or about to enter service. In an effort to reduce costs, the Armée de Air and the Aéronavale agreed on a common requirement and issued a common request for proposals "The stringent French Ministry of Defence requirements called for a tue swing-fole fighter which could operate by ‘day oF night in all weather conditions, covering the whole Spectrum of aitto-air and airto-grouind operations which, tuntil now, required a fleet of diferent types of aiecraf: Jaguar, Mirage FICT and Super Erendard attack fighters, Mirage FICK and Btendard IVPM reconnaissance aitraf, ESP Crusader, Mirage FIC and Mirage 2000 interceptors, plus Mirage 20001 nuclear bomber,” explains Jean Camus, 4 Dassault Operational Exper and former Test Pil in charge of the Rafale programme when serving with the French Aie Force. "Moreover, the design had to offer afford: able life-cycle costs through low fuel consumption, low ‘maintenance requirements, and long airframe and engine lives I: May 2001 the creation of Flotille 12F at Landlivisiaw Buropean co-operation was seriously considered as it was felt that it would help reduce costs, especially those associated with the development of the fighter, but the agreement France had entered into with Britain, Germany and lily sulled over the weight issue. French armed forces wanted a fully swing-role aircraft, in the Sonne class for aircraf-carrier compatiblity, whereas the other European nations were committed to buying a heavier air defence fighter, in the 10-tonne class, which was to emerge as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Programme development Development of the new French airrat was remarkably swift, and the fist Rafale~ the white-painted demonstrator Rafile A ~ was unveiled at Saint-Cloud in a ceremony headed by the late Marcel Dassault in December 1985 From then on, dhings proceeded quickly: the aierat frst took tothe ar from the Dassault fight test centre in Ttres, in the south-east of France, on 4 July 1986. To limit the risks tradtionally associated with a fst sortie, the airerat had been fited. with two proven General Electric AD4-GE-400 turbofans, the sime engine which powers the US F/A-IBA/B Homet. The Rafale A used all moving canard foreplanes coupled with an advanced fly-by-wire (FBW) flight contol system, with the large delta wing, eanards and FW system all ensuring maximum manoeuvrability Rafale A was first displayed at Firborough in September 1986, where it demonstrated its agility 10: good effec. A Snecma M8 turbofan replaced the left FA from May 1990 Conwatds. Superruise i dry thst was achieved with this powerplant when the areraft reached Mach 1.4, Rafale A ‘was retired in January 1994, after 865 sorties A severe blow to the programme came with the fall of the Bern Wall and the disippearance of the old Soviet threat. This event, in tm, led to a considerable deop in French defence budgets, with corresponding sstantal ‘modification to the French Air Force order of battle, and a reassessment of future needs. The first consequence Was 2 Arastie reonganisation ofthe Armée de Ai, resulting in the ‘early immediate withdrawal of the Mirage SF fleet, and the decision to modemise 55 Mirage FIC fighters into Mirage FICT taetical fighters. The Mirage 53 had initially been bile for Israel, but the aireraft had been brought into‘Above: Fr some yoars the Ral A technology demonstrator was on isply at ses, ouside the EPNER (est plot choo! building. It was ‘subsequently moved toa display st outside Dassaul's Saint Clond facili, although I v9 later removed ator tela euthories Campained about the sharp rise in rac accidents on the rad ouside the works! Aight Raa A lads the four prototypes (CO MOY Band MA) in ‘order offs fight. This phot-sorie on 2 auary 1998 marked the ‘As BOS and as ght rench service when an armament embargo was put in place, Those two events had a considerable impact. on Rafale, absorbing budgets which could have been used t accelerate the new fighter programme, Instead, it was then, lecided to slow down research and development. One of he consequences was the need to enhance Armee de TA air defence capabilites with other advanced aireraf, a ne French Air Force decided to update some ofits Mirage 2000Cs to Mirage 2000-5F standard, This allowed the Rafal to be futher delayed, and gave time to the competitors 10 patally catch up with Dassault Air Force versions fo cary out the different missions envisioned (air defence/superionty, precision attack, nuclear strike: and reconnaissance), the Armée de [Air required two Rafe variants: the single-seat Rafale C (C for Chasseur, fighter) and the two-seat Rafale B (B for Biplac, two-seater). The lack-painted Rafale prototype CDI frst lew in May 1991 seat prototype was in the event not but Ralale CO1 differed significantly from the earlier Rafale A demonstrator the overall configuration had been retained ly smaller and lighter. unhermore, considerable changes had been implemented to reduce radar cross-section (RCS). They included a gol coated. canopy, reprofiled fuselage/fin junction, radar absorbing materials andl more rounded wing toot firings Composite material content had been considerably to a. simultaneous reduction in Weight and RCS. "Inthe prototypes and production areal engineers have used high-tech materials to dive down ‘weight, increase fatigue life and reduce production costs, explains Jean Camus. *For instance, the Rafale’s canard are le of superplastic forming diffusion-bonded titanium, nd the wings are constructed of catbon fibre Dassault engineers have developed a very simple fighter with fixed air intakes and no dedicated airbrake, helping reduce maintenance requirements, With the Rafale Dassault pioneered the use of revolutionary advances such 18 the fully redundant, very high-pressure |(350-bar 5,000-b/sq in) hydeaulic system and the varable-frequenc aiernators which all boost reliability and safety. ‘These advances have proven so successful that they have been adopted as standard by other aircraft manufictuters and, for instance, they bave been specified forthe Airbus A38 Yes Kerhervé climts the Rafae A away ater an approsch othe sack of either lémencenu or Foch, Just visible fs the tl fn 8 Grusader te type which Raale M wae intially procured to replace As well as approaches othe two carries Rate A was alo feted (on dumoy decks at ines and Iss.Aafale Ms undercarriage is considerably strengthened. ‘whe the nasewhee et is fextondie to incronse Incidence a launch, The iosowhee! mounts» launch Strat and hol-backsytom, ‘ompatile with US arirs Like the Mirage 2000, the Rafale was conceived from the outset for NATO interoperability, and Dassault engineers striclly adhered 10 the various NATO Stanags (Standard Agreements). All the Rafale’s major systems are. fully compatible with NATO systems: its radios have Have Quick Secure capabilises, is inflight -efuelling equipment is fully compatible with NATO probe and drogue systems, ts [FF System is completely interoperable, and the MIDS-NT ‘Multifunction Information Distibution System — Low Volume Terminal) system has been designed hand-in-hand with other NATO count temament: the GBU «Interoperability extends t0 the 12, one of the most widely available airtoground stores, has already been qualified on the Rafale, and the fighters 14 fully NATO-compatible hard points offer excellent flexibility, allowing a wide variety of ores to be cari. It is anticipated that other widely aval able Weapons such as the Mle 82/83/84 ‘dumb’ bombs and the GBU=22/24 Paveway III laser-guided bombs. will be ‘qualified on the Raf © in the not too distant future Rafale CO1 was mainly used to open the Night envelope the MB8-2 engines. Later, i took part in weapon firing/Separation testing — with Magic TI alrto-aie missile and gun ~ and participated in the man-machine interface validation At some stage it was felt that OO1 was getting 100 old and that it should be retied, but st has. been decided instead to retain the aircraft for futher engine test ing, and it-will participate in’ the MB8-3- development Tactical two-seater Since the successful introduction of the two-seat Mirage WOON in the mic-1980s, the French Air Force has always been keen to operate two-seat tactical fighters. Initially i was intended that only o-seat Rafales were to be oeured for conversion traning but, after the Gull Wa, Studies showed that two-seaters Were fr better adapted to complex attack missions, as the workload in single-seat Jaguars or Miaige Fis was deemed too high in. poor weather or in demanding combat environments. The expe rience with two-seat Mirage 2000Ns. and 2000Ds. fad proved thar the concept of ‘burden-sharing’ between a pilot ind a weapon systent operator CWSO) was well suited to the airto-ground role in high-threat scenarios. Another key river was the need for increased operator Functionality. AS result he AA procurement plan was vended 139 and now includes 95. single-seat an Dassault Rafale worseat Rafles, although 16 aircraft were deleted from the ‘overall Air Force requirement at this time (om 250 to 234 Fighters), Iti worth noting thatthe US Navy has followed similar path with the F/A-1SE/E Super Hornet, increasing the percentage of two-seaters on order. Rafale BOL, the only two-seat pro fist flew in April 1993, and was in charge of the fire-control/weapon system testing, including the RBE2 radar and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite. Later, BOL took part in weapon Separation and heavy load tials, and the Fighter regularly few ‘with three 2000-Itre (528-US gal) drop tanks, two, Apache/Scalp cruise missiles and four airto-tr missles. It teen took part ia numerous fying displays in that config ration, demonstrating the agility ofthe aireaft even in the most extreme load conditions. Compared with the single seat variant, the two-seater is 350 kg (771 Ib) heavier, while fuel capacity % reduced by 400 litres (106 US ga. ‘Nevertheless, i fully combatcapable, “The front and reat cockpits of the Rafale 18 are similar, so that either the pilot of the WSO can perform any of the tasks associated With the different types of missions, thus enhancing flex bilty,” explains Pierre Delestrade, 2 Dassault Flight Test Engineer, “However, tis generally agreed thatthe pilot i he front cockpit Would. deal with the air-to-air modes Whereas the WSO in the ack seat would take care of ai to-pround functions Naval variants The Aéronavale has had a long-standing requirement for 4 new camerbome fighter to supplant ageing. Dassault Beendard IVPMS, Vought F8P Crusaders and, ultimately Dassault Super Etendard Modernisés. At some stage, the then-MeDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet was seriously considered, but ie was felt that a naval variant of the new fighter envisioned for the French Armed Forces was deemed the most likely candidate, and a carrier version was developed. However, the aireraft was so much delayed because of financial constraints that the service had to modernise its ancient Crusaders in an attempt t0 ‘Along with BOY, te was extensively sed a an ‘vionis testbed, being fined with ROE? radr ond SO. lt wae oo the fat afae oy witha working ‘SPECTRA suite. Opposite page: though Closely matched in overall ‘apabiies, Ewotighers Typhoon andthe Ratao oer inividal advantages In conan aroas~ Rate perceived as offering more Sisto surface options han its rval Both he ‘Aéroaval and Armée de hic hare opted for more ‘vo. sen versions than Singl-seater weapons stom oficer being oon 35 vita for complex attack ‘nd ecomnaezonce, missions ‘campaigns onthe dummy ‘deck a MAS Lakehurst ‘Now sersey, and aboard Foch. This iw highlights the clean lines ofthe Raale ‘ahen not encumbered wth ‘rlons andthe lps and bumps associated with [SPECTRA and 0,The Aéronosle received ts {ist our tale Ms (20 1s) in Standard LF — without guns and ony able {olire Mogie 2 missiles, i th ited BE? ond ‘SPECTRA modes From M6 ‘onwards, deliveries have ‘on to the fl Standard Fr The intial otra were subsoquont raised this ‘Standard and Foto 12E ‘Should have ll 10 of ts ‘located F aircraft by mid ‘2002 Subsequent deliveries ‘nil beta Standard 20 begin the replacement of the Super Etendara ‘Above: lati 12 Rate ‘Ms paricipted inter fist ‘major exercise (dont ‘FOr in fate May 2007 when four joined Charles de Gaulle ar group. The ‘Squadron officially reformed on 18 May igh 1 9s the second production Ratae fy, Iranded oer for testing i sly 1888 As well as ‘operational seit fies rom teres on Standard 2 development dates. increase their efficiency and defence capability A number of changes had to be introduced for Rafal carrier operations, but the single-seat naval variant retains ‘of commonality with is Air Force counter As a result, the mult-spar wing cinnot be folded the numberof maintain a modicum of air urcraft which can Be stored on the deck or in the hanga This compromise is not really a problem because of the significantly langer size of the new Charles de Gaulle uclear-powered carrier compared with the older Clemenceau and Foch, and the Charles de Gaulles is troup will be significantly more powesful than that of its forebears,” explains Capitaine ‘de Frégate Planchon, Commanding Officer of Fotile 12F, the first Rafal Navalisition changes introduced Marine) include massive tail hook to bring the aircraft 0 a alt even during power-on, noare, carer landin ced main undercar to absorb much higher vertical velocities, a power buen improve reduce the amount of groun a new finsip Telemis inertial navigation system t0 exch the navigition microwave landing system. The jus mexification introduced on the Rafale M is the imposing lor stronger nosewheel gear, which gives the aircraft its le nose-up attitude Because of the sat, the front centreline weapon pylon had to be eliminated, but this does noe have lny significant impact on the Rafale’s load-carrying capa: bility as this pylon cannot be used when a centreline fue tank or interoperabiin incompomates & back’ system, allowing AG the Rafal M (M for perated support equipment needed, System which allows the airraf's ge navigation data with Suite, and a carrier-based \dder cockpit accessibility missile is catried, To increase ‘with US Navy aircaf-cariers, the nose inch-bar coupled with a ‘hol mnavale Rafales to operate from fa-tops’. The consequence of all these modi cations is a Rafale Marine heavier than ils Ait Force cour terpart, about 500 kg (1,102 Ib) more, but this fi slightly less than when the fi designe able improvement at aircraft represents & consider wer the old F-AP Crusader, and will allow French Navy pilots to deal with any threat likely 10 be encountered for a considerable amount of time design has warfighting rele 2030. Rafale N Initially, was planned that the Navy would receive 86 ngle-seat Rafale Ms, but n Hiited the ‘overall number of fighters to be procured to 60. After an in depth, study, the procurement plan recenlly amended to include a two-seat variant, the Rafale N(N for Naval), which will have a very high commonality with the single-seat Rafale M version, but will cary slightly Tess ful: 4485 ke (9,888 Ib) instead of 4700 kg. (10,362 Ib Dassault engincers have begun development version, and a few modifications will have t0 be into: duced: the adoption of the beefed-up airframe and no wheel has already imposed the withdrawal of the 30 M791 ‘cannon to make room for relocated equipment, and rein opy hinges will be required to handle stronger wantered on currier decks, The final. spi and tworscat aircraft is still 10 be announced but is likely to be either 20 Ms and 40 NS, or 2 Ms and 35 Ns. fas initially anticipated thatthe frst 1 seat Rafale N for the Aviation Navale would make its fist flight in 2005, and thatthe frst aircraft would be delivered to an operational unit in 2007, but the recent forced budget cuts could have an impact on the planning Carier-sutailty wals were carried out quite early in the development programme when the Rafale A demonstrator lew approaches to the now-retired aincraft-cattic lémenceat to ensure that the Fighter behaved as t shoul in the carrier circu, Ahough not carier-capable, thefurther testing with J onirm han the Super Ftendied, the air Jowly than its Super Etendard and Differing Frencl To reduce 1 Dassault and ndards a and procure a stepped app ‘modified t handle the Ratt, including changs to first landings caor were carted out by ‘es Kerhrv in du 1998Bringing he ale on———sizcraft (ovorseters 301. and 1302, and singleseater Per cieenainernerd C101) and the first 10 naval fighters (M1 to M10) are being casi tan Wrapping og | Gelvered inthe so-called Sandan! #1, deci to aso= Grusader or Super Elendard, i- combat ancl air defence missions, The Fl variant is amis tepmanieretse Sinead wih MICA EM rar guiied mises and the long ee eee aan serving Magic Il short-range AAM, and is RDE2 (Radar Giakgivbrmchpre, — Halayage Electronique 2 plans) elecronically-scanned adar ewwotivtioard es” has no irto-ground mods. Standard FI Rafale Ms entered ‘tow te serto service in 2000, and the fist unit tobe equlpped i Foti ‘maintain predetermined 324 Larisa, in Bitany Rae B01, B302 and ML speed and angte-atatack ce ised forthe Standard F2 development programme, an tsa 1) wey sny operate from ates. However ean 2002, a —— ipated that M1 will spend about half of each year at fronerwies hope sted that MI wil pend ay Strmleeef” Lins vit lear penny wate 4g The Improved. Sanard F2 will alow aintoground Seite recat anacks to be petfomed with advanced weapons Such a3 seraAits sucess ie poset Nalp ese mise andthe lonrcos AASM ‘pica ond at vacingt (Artem Aisol Modulate, module sisco-surice arma Sow Sts tadng "pent Te toot Sector Opn (FSO), tn 10 HDS Sqmt Oca) to montr —[r (\uthnsion Information Distbuton System ~ Lo Me eprnch ih grat tune Trina). an srsogound modes forthe RR? arctan Megton rr wil aso be introduced in Sandard #2 Tales. Stateiismateoaerty—° eel : meiceataeetaia? Morera hgh-eoluinteedimersoral dpa daa sees acs Pnaly,the MICA IK wil replace the Magi I, and an those othe cari or precise location ‘ntormation. infight-refuelin alow them to ad risation for dhe Standard F2 ¢ yn 26 January 2001 ondtone The engine somes 2" maauss enimed the mamterancerequremerts fai and minimises spares holdings. Some of these explain Jocgques Desclaux: “For the MES, ieee 3 nunder an Rou Ate al Aight Aa M882 is mounted nots rig The engine is ‘ory compact an is accessories ar easily accessed formaintenance Below: An MB-2is removed hom a storage canister the Armée de Air and 15 Rafale M/Ns wil be delivered to this standard. The Fist Standard F2airraft was due to enter service in 2004 and the fist squadron was planned to be ally operational in 205, However, this programme could Swing-role fighter Delivered from 2008 onwards, the final and 35 Rafale M/Ns will be in the swing These sireaft will he able to cary ou tasks: nuclear strike with ASMP-A missle with Exocets of ANFS, Pod de Reconnaissance Nouvelle Générat NG, or New Generation Reconnaissance Pod), efuclin 98 Haale B/S le Sundaed her special anti-ship attacks missions with the n (Pod Rec ning tanking pod which by Standard F2 1 the hose/drogu fhe Super Etendrd cial roles until 2009, al Super Etendards can 4 Super EX onlike thy Rafales, will contain French Navy Raf which vl some ndarl Molerniss are fi osiderably budgeted MBDA. Meteor righly likely that th ean lectronie scanning RBE2 radar, and the uprated MBS-5 fengines being developed by Dasstult, Thales (former Thomson-CSF) and Snecma for the export will be oe this Standardsmart sensor fu Like every modern combat aircraft, the Rafale is depen. lent on technology to achieve air dominance, The idvanced avionics suite of the new Dassiult fighter is different types of systems, all closely ite the pilot's situational awareness: sensors jecronic warfare suite, navigation and identification Rafal, th the SPECTRA. situational awa ive FSO has inherent advan tages and drawbacks: the pas lent coun Termeasures resistance, and its angular resolution is bet nthe other hand, the ra distances, and can t he SPECTRA. suite can ns to precisely identify an emit lata fusion system combines and compares 1 by th ind can accurate ly identify targets. W's much build up an accu all praise the new give them the uppe ui ishioe/tracking, associated with smart nsor fusion, is a key-enabler which wil the face of ait warfare says Yves Kether Test Pilot “Until now, pilots onl process the information obtaine to build mena im fale, the rand Dassault Chick had their bran the evolving situation. With the stem has taken over the proc nd allowis ime to tactics management. Th mncentates on fight, not on fight. Additional multichannel weapon system can simultane {ow-level fight with beary Toads, Automatic. ‘removing the ned for 0 ‘iting TF redar which may ive away the areas positon Aight This test rig tres a of he cockpit ‘ystems, incuding HUD, Me and VAS. Below: Anther cockpit test Iighy complex mission profiles and scenarios.Focus Aircraft ls Aight Rata prodection vl be undertaken Slngside hat of the Mirage ‘2000 sometime. Indeed. the eater generation of Dassault fighter contiaves to secure important fighter contrat, aimed by Dassault at nations who ‘onnot affod th Rae Key to this sucess i the development ofthe Dash 58 fami oth ROY radar state-of-the-art cockpit MICA armament and now EW systems Here at BOT Hes withthe fist. Mirage 20005. Opposite page, top In some ‘aspects the C01 proteype ‘hs been overtaken by vents, notably the desire to aup the Asroneveles fighter squadron as a mater of considerable urgency, ‘and the decision to Zestructre the overall ‘afao buy areaty nfaour of two-seat aieratt Never fied with oprosentative avinies systems, CO was inti worked extremely hard on envelope expansion fio, Now it the main fngie testo, iveived in Mat‘? Sop 4 work and, ‘000, tal of th a. ‘important MBS. Aight Ninety-five of the AdKs 2 ara order are being procured as singe seat fatale Cs. The plot. ‘nly arrat wl be geared ‘awards a defence duties but tan fl ito surace apabiliy, perhaps under the direction oftwo-soxt ‘tera The fit online {nit form wl be EC 17 at ‘Sein ir, with whom the Rafal will place he agua Cy ously deal with This is a crucial advantage over the nearest competitors because from now on, pilots will be able to attack targets on the ground while engaging the enemy fighters presenting the freatest threat. For example, even with the radar in an sirto-nurface mode, the FSO wil be fully c ing and tracking hostile interceptor, instantly engage an ememing threat. At the core of the Rafale's capabilites is the Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU) composed of line-xeplace able modules, Built from commercially available offthe shel MDPU enhances avionics/armament integrations ~ thanks to its redundant, open and modular architecture, the system is highly adaptable, and-new avionics and new ordnance now under development can adopted. The system has been conceived with growth in mind, so that modifying the aiterat from one Standard to another will not be a problem. Noteworthy is the fact that the MDPU is not fied to Standard FY Rafale Ms, which are equipped with older technology systems. However, the MDPU will be fitted tothe first production Ai Force Standard Fl Rafales ~ B301, B302 and C101 RBE2 radar The adoption of spectaised phased array radars for the BAB Lancer and for the MiG-31 Foxhound had not gone unnoticed, and the French authorities quickly recognised hat this revolutionary technology was the Way forward This tend was confirmed by the announcement by the US itary that the F-22 Raptor and other future fighters (which gave way to the F/AISE/F and JSF programmes) were also to be equipped with phased ariay radars. French radar specialists soon embarked on an ambitious research and development programme to develop indigenous elec equip arety Left Inthe erly 18908 Dassault was dosriing the ‘AGA version ofthe sircrat 1th Rata D (D = Discrot. fiscret to highlight the fow radar cross-section and signature ofthe ype. This viow shows the cael ‘bonded contours ofthe forward fuselage and Imcakes, and also displays the gold tated canopy, ‘applied tthe CP proetype Cary visio istho wide- angle HUD screen, which aminats the pilots forward view, well 2 providing short term ght Information and targeting aca the hend-ap deploy can also project FUR or TY linagor to atdow-lovel fying at ight orn bad weather fof systems, including warships and new combat aircraft ‘Obviously, the Rafale was the this massive research effort ‘compared! with outdated mechanical planar antenna adars, electronic scanning radars offer a quantum leap in elficiency: as they do not need complex aetuators t point the antenna, they are inherently more reliable and more sealihy,” points out Philippe Ramstein, Thales Director of the Rafale programme, “The beam-shifting of an electronic scanning ridar is extremely precise and nearly instants neous in both vertical and horizontal planes, ensuring a very high revisiting rate on detected tangets in the search: whiletrack mode.” Modern air combat tactics have been ‘evised to counter mechanical scanning radars operating in the tnck-whilescan mode, witha pai of fighters usualy pling to confuse the interceptor. tn this scenario, some Othe dsporsed enemy sirait wil inevitably fll of the screen. However, agains a fighter equipped wh an‘ escan radar operating in search-while-tack prove toaly ineffective berween modes, thus carrying out efferent tasks sil neously” stresses Philippe Ramstein. "Powerfal data essor andl unmatched beam agility allow the Rafe to combines search, track and. misse-guidance a hieving air dominance. It also features a fighter/missile dali which gives beter te-conto cap lehalty ofthe Rafle’s weapon stem. Final, fixed says consider All these factors contribute to the enhancement. of the Rafale's combat efficiency and electromagnetic stealthiness compared with fighters fied with classic radar sets Developed by what is now Thales Airborne Systems, the RBEZ (Radar 2 Balayage Electronique 2 plans, two-axis electronic. scanning idan) the first airborne look down/shootdown multimode electronic scanning radar designed and produced in. Europe. Developing such ‘compact, high-performance radar system was a real techniha al challenge forthe Prench industry: the RBE2 had to have scanning management, the RBE2 radar performs long-range Below: An impressive SAR slong range while fiting in the relatively small nose of the detection nd tracking of up to 40 sic targets in look-down capability i bong Belle Besides che dar and all ofthe rete conics or kup asp al wean, and in severe jing rape ie REZ hhad to be able to withstand the shock ofa carer landing, environments. Interception and fring data are calculated Somonstat a lah esting started in Mystere 20 s/n. 104m July 1998 forego targets which can De engaged wath Mica M0 obaied By 2 and, at one point, no fewer than Five Cente dEssas en Vol it combat active rada fired in quick fevelpmen dae Using nd a one point, no 2 auick — $50p Sega te WSO aircraft - three Mystére 20s and two Mirage 2000s (W'n 501 succession at the rate of one every two seconds. With ts 540k mage th WSO cas and 504) - were involved in the RBE2 development elecronic scanning antenna, the radar is fully capable of Syaea'wnchneee chor Programme before further tests were conducted aboard tricking the other 32 targets while updating the MICAS with Sonne topoes ste Rafales BOL and MO2. Today, Rafales M1, B301 and B302 the dedicated, mi-course, secure, radarto-missile link designate loeedon also participate in radar development. The Fist production RBEZ was delivered in October 1997, and the radar is already” in operational service with the French Naval Aviation, The fist RBE2s for Standard FI Rafales are only capable of airto-air modes, but subsequent radar sets will tave improved capabilities, culminating inthe Standard F3 radar which will introduce comprehensive ainto-surface modes, including automatic terrain-following. The RBE2 is now totally qualified for airto-air combat, and arto” round functions are actively being developed in prepars thon of the Standard F2. Radar modes ‘By embracing open architecture and commercially off AF (COTS) technology, Thales has designed a highly multi-mode radar which wil satisfy even the most Stringent requirements,” sates Philippe Ramstein, The RBEZ multimode, electronic scanning array radar enable Rafale pilots to accurately detec, track and engage aiborne and ground threats from very long rang Thanks to is unique waveform design and electronAafae C01 hae boon used or Magic 2 separation” ‘rig was and sualy cates dary Magic 2s on the wingtips. Another ‘common wing stores the ‘Soke-Mapc: used ‘hance the visual eect fring airshow. ‘performances. The third Production ica forthe ‘AdA orginally intended to ‘he another wo sester (8301 is now being ‘completed as the st prodoction standard sngle- ‘eater (C10). Is oxpocted {oy in id-2002 Only tree ‘dA sircrat wl be t8 ‘Standard F, the folowing ‘airforce airrat being ‘Standard Foran he ‘omaiing 18 boing to ‘Standard FA Standard 4, incorporating advanced featres cure being dovoloped for oxport. tinder consideration Aighe Tis isa model othe Pod Reco NG which wll provide Rae with state-of- ‘heart digtalreconsiseance ‘capably. The nse section Totnes allow horizon havian operation andthe pod ‘so has function which Silows ito automaticaly tack linear entre such srs a Which enables. very long-range exceptionally high probability Kill rate, even against manoeuvring enemy’ fighters, This gives the Rafale a tunique combined situational awareness and combat caps biltyeffciency, while considerably reducing aircrew work load, especially in complex tactical situations, For airto-ground strikes, the radar has dedicated func ions for low- and high-level navigation, target-aiming searching and tricking of moving and fixed targets, rang ing and termin-avoidance/following. Inthe. terran ance/following mode the RBE2 looks ahead 10 Duil 4 constantly changing, wide-angle, three-dimensional profile of the temain to be overlown. With the electronic Scanning technology, termain-avoidance is optimised 10 improve survivability while fying at extremely low altitude and very high speed. ‘With its open architecture, the RBE2 has been designed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mapping mode is actively being developed for Standard F3 Rafales, Iwill allow Rafale aircrew to “paint from stand-off distances, providing high-resolution maps of surface targets inany weather, day and night, and t0 designate a precision aiming point o the fighters Weapon system. Aubore tals have alreudy stated on board a flying testbed, and the SAR mode will he fully qualified on the Rafale in 2006, for growth, For instance Ltt: This image shows 2 Rafe ond Mirage 200 at fexreme range captured bythe From Sector Optronics (#50) system. The FSO suite {sly intagrated wit the ‘ade and ater area ‘toms, allowing 0 be ued bythe radar tong ‘ange for denietion or ‘aid assessment end for ‘omtinued passive wacking ‘ot targets also Incorporates laser ‘angtinder, highly usta for Tecding sont range and ‘set pla ifornatin to the weapons computer fr ‘bomb roease, Anti-ship atacks require specific modes, and the RBE2 willbe able to detect, track and engage ships, even in high Sea states, An alirto-sea radar surveillance mode will be inoduced on Standard ¥2.Rafales, and the fighters ‘Weapon system will be capable of Firing anti-ship missles Optronics suite To complement the radar, the Rafe is fie comprehensive optronics suite divided into three systems the Front Sector Optronics (ISO, or OSI in France), the Damocls laser designation pod, and the aforementioned Pod de Reconnaissance Nouvelle Génération (Pod Reco NG, or New Generation Reconnaissance Pod) Mounted on top of the nose, ahead of the windshield the FSO allows in uninterupeed view of the forward sector. Operting in dliferent infrared wavelengths, the FSO provides discreet long-range detection, mulisanget angular tracking and rangesinding for ait and surface targets, considerably enhancing the Rafale'sstealthiness as the fighter can covertly detect and identify enemy airca The FSO comprises two modules the sensor (nfa-Red Search Track) and the TV system, coupled With un eyesafe laser rangefinder. The funetions of the two target tacking by the starboard IR survellance module target tricking, identification and ranging by the por TV laser module. Whatever the rules of engagement rest tions, the FSO minimises the risks of facies (ive on bie), and i allows instantaneous atl damage ment ta be performed. Allbough this unigue surveiance and identification system has been thoroughly tested Gnboard 4 Dassault Falcon 20 and Rafe protaypes MO2 and BOL, plus series airerat 8301 and 1302, it will not be introduced into production aircraft until the first Standard 2 Rafal is delivered Produced by Thales, the new-generation Damoclés laser designation /angeting pod has been designed to be used in tions such as Paveway LGBs and ASM precision weapons. The 250-kg (551-b) Damoctes represents the third genera: tion ‘pod after the ATLIS which equips Armée de Tair Jaguars and Aéronavale Super Etendards, and_ the PDL-CT/PDI-CTS of the Mirige 2000D, The new infra-red fics chonen for the Damocles ensire extende fnd recognition ranges, permiting laser guided to be delivered at substantially greater rnges and fom higher altitudes, considerably reducing the aicrafs vue: ability to short medium-range Two fields of view ane avaible to aicrew wideDassault Rafale POOR ene) ist hres decades, the French A For Republic, Gabon et, the Midole East (Gu Warland Europe (Bo Kosovo) Accordingly the Raia has been dened to meee Intighretuling i a pre ‘equate fora modern fighter intended undertake rapi-response deployment to anywhere in the worl. The Ads primary tankers th €-135°R which ‘Serves with ERV 33 ‘Slongside tives ex-USAF RCT25Rs The tanker ant is ‘onvenietly based at Ire, Slongsie te combined Raine test oot Pilot ‘pion diflers a 0 which 1S more difcttnking ‘tom the very short hose ‘stacked tthe boom, oF ‘efvelling trom the wingtip ‘32 HOU and their ‘tendon vortices or fom aa for sag ai oengina ea . Ce 2 vtusling syst f "rom shart runway, and thas been dete 9 ftorbumer for takes fem 2 NATO stan" run ‘urways or ftom damaged mitaryaiields. The Rafeles vig Sounding and autonomous itl and fina proaches car (Snead Oxygen 9 and hang oe 39) and narrow (18 0.58), and the pod is fied with un evesafe (Wavelength 1.5 um) laser rangefinder, with a laser designator fully compatible with NATO's Stanag 3733 (wavelength 1.06 ym), and svith a Taser spot tracker (wave length 1.06 um). Additionally, it greatly improved resolu tion means that it can be used for stand-off reconnaissance The Damocles pod ‘considerably lower maintenance and battle damage for requirements and cost wwithstand the sh curently. being than earlier designs, and it can ks associated with cartier landings. I is jualiied on Mirage 2000-9 and. Super tendards, and isto be qualified on the Rafale in 2003, for its Standard 5 Super Etendard Modernisés, and i highly Armed Forces for thei it has been selected by the United sult Mirage 2000-95 plus 33 earlier Mirage likely to be adopted by the Rafales,Adaltionaly Arab Emirates for recently ordered Ds 30) of which Thought 200A be the Dash 9/standatd). From 2010, a join Briish-French electro-optic targeting pod, called JOANNA for JOint Airborne NavigatioN and Attack), will be intro duced on Rafales to supplant Damocles, Fight‘esting. of JOANNA is de to startin 2005, the Future, and the Pod Reco NG will make good use ofthis technology. Designed and produced by Thales this system will be fielded by suitably modified Mirage 2000Ns and Rafale tactical fighters. The performance of but it is understood that the imagery provided will be exceptionally good, and wil allow high Tesolution images to be acquited from stand-off distances For maximum efficiency, the sensors use different wave lengths, pod features. stateoFthe-art digital recorders. Additionally, i will be equipped sith a datalink 0 relay data in a timely and accessible way for real interpretation, For targets of opportunity, itis envisioned hat the pilot will be able 10 slew the pod’ sensors us his helmet-mounted display. A total of 23 Pod Reco NGs including eight for the Aéronawvale Voice control and helmet-mounted sight afale’s man-machine incrfae has been tuned to reduce Workload: the aforementioned. sensor Fusion nelmetmounted display (HMD) and. voice contol fwareness, The direct voice input control system and the HMD will be adopted for Standard F3 Rafales,MATRA MICA IMicAs are shown mounted on underwing above lt and fselage (above) pyons. The EM version has a pointed nose housing an active radar seeker, wile the Mt version has rounded nose witha window or the das-band seeker a hghiyetoctive dualband imagery IR seexer for ne Mica I Ie eases dept to. ruck and could tnigets such as af bares oalnosen Using wir IR sce EM seeker he MICA system scam io be capbie of exaagrg upto ah csheser sions | ! | } | —_ [ ae er SIRS : | Meteor/MIDE AlNa120 ANA “ re wyof _AirForce£F2000 Eurofghtos ae pr ofa progiomme diceer Beye Ves feaarement for on even longer ists Mise (BVRAAM ut os Soon recognised ht vce be sin SRRIgY et endgame to detect hard mancewing targets, When fed we the 5 Sandi 4 alles, tho new Meteo MO masia wl ete» trncabe oe mise programme, Fone for 2042 Looking oven futher ahead. the Mewar cose ececeaven as ee : ‘Oth Eweopean po ant-attion Sooke ts pstpetom DEAD [Destucion a Eheny At Betorce Septomb = Meteor woul prove dea for tho role allow’ Rates ws eisck rows ong Freefall weaponsSagem ASM Future armament The AASM fan i inal planned a a Fronch equivalent ofthe GPS- {uided JOAM fy but wil expand to 244 ED terminal guidance. Pop-out fine give extra gid distance.17 MATRA MageMaa development ‘The Me enghe nas been dosed vets ensdereia moult frown potenti, using» Standard cor But wis thrust by aroun 20, Burceat in tbo MEG ‘ersion now sang Yoveloped fr exaort Ralles. Furbo thrust ‘Sing the some core up te eround 10548 125,505, ©) The ME was also onaiitea for 8 Gren Spyiade, whio ne Nes Se eon fered for ther Singleangined tenor ‘rgpete auch as Kors's [30 Golden tage. The ai coe ia lo coed 82 the basis for some ‘vanced Nv “Sho iar turbos Fight contro system Faltte £5 oportes {eo ital cart, wih br sale uel Ae a © provang sabiaon of meat here as fcconing erode and soci te Fs is oe arnt Ping aporoach, showing te ot task Dagthnst el combs he use ot fovepianer an leans. ics dag wen Stearate, The £8 also smal nandes the Frese soca of crix Sant auren A gut st wean mode ff towevel Hwan ound oe Lnecoseary. Primary contol sitter ruse Ard the cord forepires Tho wingazo he faapen fited one Rafe A Rerorcratr omentonal ‘Specification Take-off distance: Operational esting: edus of action: 10190 m 95119 ncuding missiles deo m aoe aa fg30m (60 2) Saami tea! fry crea 950 ka 20.943) max ake of levolapod version: 26000 kg rare Irom 700 kg (10262), Ia etema: 7800 kg 11.534) ‘ax evel speed a atuse Mach 18 ‘max ovelovel speed 750k 1380 Ly; B63 meh) bp Speed: 118K (219 Rov 132 mph 9 80 mi" 313 fi for ana detonce mission {500 m (3.968 or an snack mston S240 m 60.0 Fo. 131309, 381 tm {1094 kr: 880 rites for 2 stika mission fat 12 227-49 (600:0) bombs, four MICAS, one Zovolitve 628 US gal end we tase te BSE US el stor tenis F000 non [1852 kr 1.151 mle for an ait detence mission wih tnt MICAS, to 2000-re {52808 oa ard wo 280 2008 go oop {oro Snocna MEE-2 turbofans ted at 50 KN zeta ty ane 78 4 118,658 1) uth seurner ‘alabty, Rao employs 3 hgh ‘gree of advanced meterlein ts onetustin Around 24 percent oF ‘ho areratts worms of orp motors hich Secours for spout 7 porenet the wotted surtace ben SPE-DB [Seperate formngauson Sons) anim ures for ‘kteme seng i components ‘Sion a the canard, and ‘ition inclodes SF suminiom Maa engine ‘Tha MBBwmich powers Refale wes the result of development af high-parformanca fighter {ngines begun telat 1970s asa folowcon tothe M9 ot tho ate Tad, Stes {oncorsated on na aloys and metalurgal procesues to allo Nighy lade lases, and on Sooold turin blades Follveng te decison to proceed wth Palle 1863, development {ook ons new urgency. 8 ul fondng forthe MBS wos tray Srartedin 1867. Snecma ‘developed tna engine cording to senedle snd unas budget The fase= GB? wa wc- Sbao|turboten wth bypes roto 021 de mass fow of 68 9 (140) pee sacend. The Shgine tc fted wan 18 vorabl gue vanes, dovntoar of which Isha roe age ow Brossurecomnpresso an. Some ofthe lavrpressure a bypasses the higherescure Eompressor whch tat sw fan atoges ond thes variable stor. Overl compression a0 fs 287. Bath comprassor ate driven by srgle stage ues wih ar-oold blades Te Nigh posure turbine leatares sages Odes capable of operating at 8 TGT tine aos feompersuel of 157°C BaTOF) Dassault Rafale SS wean cate | Dassault Rafale B (302) Combined Rafale Test Team Istres Flight Test Centre oneequenty, several F2 features are incorporated, ‘such as Front Sector Optrontes, intorground ‘modes and MIDS LUT ‘maximise officioney, the aircraft are operated by @ Fotnetost eam which includes Bassa, Seem, frminal Capability. To jus CEV and AdA agencies Loadout Fefee's 13 hardpoints enable a huge vty of stores Combinations tobe earned whch ean be farther texters bythe uso of fina uncer for MICAS fo duals bor carers on the nora ana Ittermodite unaerwing pylons, This areas {dopitedin 9 tyes lng-ange stock onda, wth Sehip 2c mscles on tne marmedsta sng pens, te 2000%K¥6 fel ones inboard oe Race on the ingt inree) and undo he Year Fuselage aens Uactwo rad. Sea EG has a untay panevaton| ed, whereas the sims Apsehe Sloponses Sub tens for aruneayatlack Apache eet sete arrage by iA Rates, Ar forse twosome 0 Fatain 30 M701 cannon deleted rom the Pale Naval two-snte.‘Shown above isthe cockpitfRafle MOI ‘bic, althoogh showing the main Features and layout dito detail from production art Rall’ cockpits 2 ‘highly advanced workstation, incorporating cuting-odge VIAS (voice, {rate and stick tocnology, and touch Soreens. Tactic and fight formation is ‘mally displayed onthe wide-angle MUD ‘andthe conalhea-level display. ‘Shmbotoy is collimated to intinty 0 tht {the pio doesnot hae to rofocus as haite switches between the to dplays {andthe outside word, Nomerica conta! ‘at menus is y touch, for which special Seamless gloves are worn but etal ‘onto for instonce dong combat i by DW direct vice npat or by switches on the single toto lverand side-stick (let Arm rests sre provided on both sides ofthe cock for plat comfon The lft and right ouch-snsitve IMrDs aro typically used tor aircraft ‘status displays. This splay format ‘Shows simulated combat lead of ‘avo Magis (in whit, the ‘wingtips. our MICA EM in white, tinder to wings and useage) three {a5b-ire supersonic drop tanks (velo plas 125 90-rm rounds The pilot can call this display format to check tho hydrulc syste, For the Ral, Dassault as chosen on ‘inovatve approach withthe choice ‘of tlly runt, very high pressure (350bar00 ps) Dydratc systems which boost reliability and safety. This choice has ‘proved so succossta tha it has also been made by other area ‘manufactures For instance, these {ytors have boon adopted forthe ‘Airs £280 is ted with 2 centralised weaponry safety system ‘which totally replaces safety pine ‘sualy inserted int the wenpon Prlns. The plo snow the only person in charge of weapon salen, 4nd the enpncers do nt have ‘emove he sfey pins associated ‘ut older fighters The sytem has boon tested n singe conditions ‘and ha boo cleared for arraf Carer ight dock compat. The to 2000‘ (20.0S ga drop tanks appear in red bees, the time the pictre was taken they wore being ited by engineers. When tay become operational. their colour switches fo yelonFrogramme has been plagued with, both development rod buxigetary constraints AS 8 esl, the Frene native MDs. Two competitors ate thought to be under sideration: Elbit, with a yarant of the JHMCS (Joint Cormerly Sextand, with the TopsightE. The winning HMD red 10 display Mgt reference data and to. peri eaporaiming a engagement al ie botesi is wil enhance situational awareness and will fe unprecedented capability to French fighter pik Giver the shoulger. will become reality greatly Taxing his aol onthe implementation ofthe Voice, Thole And Stk (VTAS) increasing combat effcency. The Topsight E_ syste eck Cabs Ponle12F concep wll evoltsnise st compat “Development ofthe spears Tobe te front-runner and could fst enter servic Pile models he new se onto system stared! ithe eat 1990s, ane the on Mirage” 2000-5Rs before appcaring on Sandard FS Minteeight COP a heen extensively teed, iilly on Apa Jess Raflen in 2008, can e fied t a wie variety of helmet astnet Govalaped tor a and Mirage Ills, before full-scale te m Rafales,” Says — designs, including the lightweight CGF-Gallet type recent! fen hi rant Dalloux, Dasa Fight Saety.VieePresdem ordered by the French Air Force and aleady used by senso yp “nly, wor recogition was major hurdle, especially Dassauk aerew and Fasll 12 Rafal pts Ce stir as the coxkpit noise environment consideribiy changes (im systems corey “fing tthe strats speed, alka and bigh glowd Advanced man-machine interface ompeig rh tale tr atuo fected by stress or exieme feload, “Detracors have questioned the choice made by the nec ntact JHMCS and rec voice inpit system has to cope witht envi- French Navy and Ai Force fo purchase a large number a Ieagit EA eet Sone sand Dass ea remively over. fworseat arch, caching the man-machine interface of the Mk WF efector set Come al the hurls, and the voice command system now the French Tighter,” explains Philippe Rebours, Dassault ‘which is reclined ¢ 29°10 nerfecily. The customer can choose between various Deputy Chief Test Pilot. “But, with its wide-angle HUD, its nore Mites faleates, wibulary options with 90 to 300 words, and word recog- touch screens, and is innovative central display collimat nfiom res ae eter than 95 percent. Response time is to infinity, the Rafe posesses one of the most modem £01 i o0n during hardened srr shelter ‘ompatiiytrats. The Ad is budgeting to operat @ “Squadron of Rasles with 20 parent lene persomel than isthe case with Mirage 200 untDassault Rafale SPECTRA has» comprehensive warning capably, including laser warning receivers (above, sall ‘window on right at of fomation light stp, inte-red Aotctorsandintrforometers(RWRs). The most rominent ofthe ltr ar the frwerd-aciog units ‘mounted onthe intake sides (elo SPECTRA gives ‘eta asigalicant ELINT eapabiiy, Tho Thales(MBDA team is ustialy proud of ‘SPECTRA, particulary ts directions ECM eapabilties. This making above) ppoaredon Rafe M2 during {the NATO MACE X exerts in August 20 in which [SPECTRA proved sel Below i the fn tip lotion for Sovoral SPECTRA laments, inclding rear-facing Interferometer and laser wamer nthe side, [SPECTRA countermessures include jammers mounted in thot and just forward ofthe enards above lateral chat dispensers and to upwn-ring IR flarerE0 decoy dispenser boxes on each side o the rear fuselage stuated inthe blended wingroat Structure (below line with caren fashion, towed Far decoys ae under active study I << s Bese attack sorties, and as control posts for Aefal Vehicles (UGAV). ‘The. back assess time-critical data and intelli and make ke handles the aircraft. "This. mixed-fleet and UCAVS is required in systems have to be destroyed to achieve alr k silos” says Ywes Robins, Dass fonal Relations. Dassault Avia sd developing a ran althy UCAVs, and the first demonstrator Petit Duc (Small Duke, Duc standing for Démonstrateur UGA), fist flew in July 2000, Powered by two AMT jel ib) Petit Duc c tengines, the 60-kg CL n fly at Mach 05, ‘Above: Kown as AVE Aéronet de Validation ‘Experimental or Pett Duc hs the ‘small scale (24-m/7-4 10a wingspan) ‘demonstrator fora family of stealthy UAVS ‘being dovelopedby Dassault Curont thinking envisages formations of fl scale Yebicls being controled rom the back seats of tale Be. fare and even attack missions. “An in the Rafal UCAVs during the whole Adaltionaly Inertial navigation Two Sagem Spi ro Inertial Navi Their powerful and Aafae Mazi propred for lecromagnetic testing in the anochoe chamber et Ise. The treatment onthe or, walls and ceiling of the chamber redocos ‘lecramagnetie elections ‘oa minimum, allowing onginers test and Imensire the ooctroic Signatures othe various Sensors asthe aircraft ‘wore yng i clear at Of ttmost importance i the ampatiiiy benween the aireat’s sensosieonms ‘and jammorss that thro ‘sno merlrence between ‘thom. Furthermore, Raale ‘Mia tobe uly compatible ‘with the naval systams obo found aboard the cari,Focus Aircraft major conflict, suggests Flight Test Engineer. Thankfully, the Rafale is equipped with highly-automated and affordable systems which provide an unprecedented level of protection against threats likely to appear in the Designed and produced by Thales Airborne Systems in co-operation with MBDA, SPECTRA. (Self Protection Equipment Countering Threats of Rafale Aircraft) isa state lofthe-art self-defence system mounted on the Rafale as a Complete and totally integrated electronic warfare suite The system, which offers a dramatic increase in surviv ability against modem and emerging threats, is entire ‘mounted internally in an effort to keep weapon stations magnetic detection, laser warning and missile approach warning using passive IR detection technology’, jamming ‘Above aod above right 12F open architecture is fully capable of blending all data from and chal flare dispensing, even in the most_demanding Aafee Ms are seen aboard arons sensors (GPS, alr data system, radar altimeter for multithreat environment, SPECTRA is divided into different Charles de Gaulle a May errain-matching) while performing integrity monitoring, modules and sensors siategically positioned throughout 42081 The carer bas 90 . he airframe to provide allound coverage snantene SPECTRA The latest advances in micro-electronic technology have caput, which picaly, In. the last decade, the proliferation of air defence led to a new system which is much lighter, more compat launch he Baal atspeeds cons has put considerable pressure on airborne elec- and less demanding than ils ancestors in terms of clectcal a ee e put co 3 3 less demanding ancestors i es of le He Mtieittam onic warfare specials, Moreover, potentially hostle and cooling powers. Thanks to is advanced digtal tech en ez tka Fighters are equipped with ever more efficient fire-control nology, SPECTRA provides passive long:range detection Glnbectscemeled, —sysetns, again imposing the adoption of sophisticated self identification and localisation of threats, and allows thy ‘tuonatcalyfor pig 5 cefence suites, “Modem air warfare places a severe _ pilot or system to react immediately with the best defensive Seconds ofr the ‘et res. requirement on aircraft self-defence capabilities, and only measures. jamming, decoy-dispensing, evasive manocuyres ‘Was tested by Dessau teat plots in the summer of an Vol- the French Flight Test Cane - where he Rafale training sortie Bessault to experience firsthand the. Improssive performance and capabilities of 2 ‘ction Rafale during a combet training incerta for which the Rafale ls optimised. The ate! demonstration began inthe OASIS (Oust Aid ba Specenton inertaceSystéme o Syatom inrlaceSpecteaton Took davecmont Sinulator where both actoar and srt-ground ergaoetents ar ow aration, berg me Sefiayfomats andthe HOTAS syrteelogy “Ths Simustors rormaty used fr Folalo mermachine Interface devlopmart, butts also vory usu for Customer semansvatone and press bangs, fwpanad Jean Camus, omer Deectorof hs French ‘eet Pot Shoo Next care a vist to the equipment store fran sector set biting snd for yng cating ng Te arin Baker Mk 1 ighewoightserozoreojaton oat vl coray sat new stondorden terms of Simply, eave of us and safety, ond oak ony @ aw manios to fuly understand the otra ae Teversonary functoning modes, To overoare gous tesotod with featet fying, Rafts pos ere Fequiroa te woorspacal cothing,ncdeg arg ‘rouse. 8 lghtwegt COF-Geket helmet ood a Uppor boy jacket containing a survival kit. Speco ‘ives wth no seam atthe tngertps for ormpaaty wih the oucacrative plays wore abo prove ‘ponte pressure breathing sytem hasbeen ‘steely tested forte Aislng athe arate ‘Soared to socommadate but French Fight Tos, Centre aaaton modeine specie have aked ora ‘ie delay to complete studies to make sura thet ‘hore are no fog term medial fects on pot heath, The revelutonary Lose Pyarostatcntoyal out 2001 The lind, sl equaing sat proved Fgh satistactory and coud be oared at some stage onthe fale ‘Todays sorta sn Rafle B02. This irra. he ‘hi production Raa, st lew in Deceroe 1960, nd curenty ured forthe French mula, Standard F2 development programme, As Suen tis {uly snorumented, and equipped with an REZ radi capable of sieosir and ett-ground modes, ‘th «Front Sector Optonis FSO) sate ard han eadea, withthe Spects oe tence suite the avect ‘ote input system andthe MDS dnaink system, However, nettor Specs nr the voles conta ‘Syetem or the MIDSIVT were atualy fed fr tis brie The inrored sensor ofthe FSO was not inated ener bt the TY sensor was tly (peratina. For the fight, 8302 was equipped wih Siporsone drop tan on ne conten bon two MICA EM trening rounds onthe aft fuselage stains, fnd'two wengtp mounted Mage I traning mesos, (Guing's oko weight ot 18800 ky (36.755). The ‘Bective (S008 ga) external ane woch binge the {werseater's fool capacty to 6860 tes (1.730 US oa, 1S 'eare to fy a speeds upto Mech 18. For tig mos, my plot and mortar was Pippo Rebou'g, Dassaut Depry Cha Test Pot who ew Mge lies wren sorang wth the Armas Jesh 1209, ha was selete for tet plot rang, 208 ‘radiated rom the US A Force Tost Pot School st Eards i 1900, before joing the Conve SEssas 7” worked on tho Mirae 20000, Mirage 2000C and Retale programmes, Ho wes recruted by Dasaaut in 1805, an has naw oggod abou 5,000 Thing hous, insung over 400 in Ras Into the cockpit ts soon tito walk to the fight ine. When sopreacing tne fats, one's immediate imoression IS fat considera lrge han pewous Deass, fitters auch an the Maage F1 or the Mirage 2000, ‘hough the navel var has a ult ladder, access extemal The ren cocks vry foamy and ‘urerely wl lid out, th every conta wit easy Feo Recined st 2" io boost gYlerance, he IM 16 ejecton seat proved very comfortable, and farer MerinSeker designe suchas the M10 (ec equpe nemerous serat types, For improved Snety tho event of hrapeat ejscnon the Mi 16 is equipga wih rm rests to minimise the rk of ryt The trata og restaits founa fn elder tighter are aut na the Sap, around the foot tunnel alowing the ott sper eth ‘webring gave Aae result he sritrg tousrs do not The ndercatage cleans up smarty ll units ‘ratrctng forwards Litt typically around 130 kt fora igh loaded sirerat Note the deployed leading. ‘edge aps and deflection ofthe canard loreplnes.wwemity of airborne and groun ven in a very dense signal envionment, direction finding accuracy s excellent, and the time taken for signal identification is extremely shoe (all data is classified) Additionally, very high processing power gives excellent letecion and jamming performance, optimising. the response to match the threat: incoming electromagnetic als are analysed, andl the bearing and location of the miters are determined with great precision. Exact location and types of systems detected by SPECTRA can be recorded for later analysis, giving’ Rafale operators a Substantial builtin SIGINT/ELINT capability while minimis ing the need for specialised and costly dedicated intel gence platforms. In further developments, the adoption of nigh-debit datalinks will allow two Rafales to cary out pstanianeous triangulations of threats, giving position accuracy Within a few metres. SPECTRA i also fully fight- ine soware reprogrammale Missile warning The proliferation of new-generation weapons, sich as man-portable surfaceo-air missiles, has mised concern and the Rafale is equipped with internal chaff dispenses. among key decision-makers, and a laser warning system SPECTRA is much more than a traditional self- defer has been mounted on the sides of the nose and on the tail system as ii closely integrated with the primary sens of the fighter, providing 360° coverage, and ensuring detec- also supplied by Thales ~ the RBE2 multimode electtonk tion and warning of incoming shoulderlaunched laser scanning radar and the FSO passive front sector Opt beam-riding missiles. The discreet IR missile approach system. As sich, it considerably improves pilot sit ner ensures high probability of detection an low false awareness. all data obtained thanks to the various means alarm rates, even against totally passive IR-guided fused into a single tactical picture, offering the pilot a clear weapons. The exhaust plume of an incoming missile can image of the evolving tactical situation. Lethality zone ltected at very long-range without any emission that determined by SPECTRA according to the alr dk would betray the presence of the Rafale, Four upward- weapon types detected and the local terrain iring launcher modules for various types of carridges — displayed on the colour tactical screen, enablin hares oF electro-optic decoys ~ are built into the aframe, aircrew to avoid dangerous areas, This sma data fusion ‘a was the principal [SPECTRA testbo, and ie ‘een herein August 2000 nile involved nthe MACE. electron wartere trae Evident ere are the ‘anos fied othe nse aft ‘ofthe radome which fod ‘eeurate pitch and your ‘ata othe Might contol Stam. The intskes have ‘imple spite pltes, and ‘xh excelent bigh ‘Alpha properties. have pockets in the sides of he lower leg in oder not to mertere with th rasta syst, "The engineers who designed te cock of the Fatale concenvate on educa ho work fo the arerew, ana rivoducod 2151 Canty techaogy to Improve siuators awareness. For stance, Dssaut ‘Spocales have adoptad colour disglays to ooeterte ‘he factatentormation sesmiaton The itument Panel of font ond vet corks sre simoet deni) hd are bath NVG-compatie. They are vided Io ‘ne lege HUD and thse mutfuncion sereens: wo ‘our senstve literal pays Fesoldon 800 x 600, fd brge (20° x 207) hightesoluton {1000 x 1000) heodieveldspiy. The ed benef of te new Faedevel daply leat t's cotatod 0 ify, Coag ap fh ray Han hea eg Tefocus ana furthermore sf of ew ‘reser lxgor ran that of» vadona cree, ‘he system works moh and shoud et fNandovce Te frontend sear coc operstes ina fandem mode, whion pre fa the beckcaeatr witht seme formation of e- oupied eo that crow mombers can cary ou oven. “The wide-angls 0" x 229 HUD provides shot term tormaton, wheres the heedivel desay onveys modiumsteem formation or the benefit of the back-seator the mage af the HUD fs projected on {Tepester mounted ontop of he instrument pane ‘ronding the react oceupent with «good we ‘ver the rose This ea crac avant fr Mgnt Safety dung conversion vainng, 08 insur con tow te arecty ahead cuong ieee! fying nd Tousrendgoes “Tha Rass hasbeen designed with esse of ‘peration in mind, and engine stating a mode of ‘iegan smoty you at have to push fo smal ‘unaary trots fom outa toh and ne turn 9 ‘otary onto if and igh, or nt and et, eccadng {which engine you wont io st fret fre no breferental ere The ausry power unt [rmadately com on ine, andthe two Snecma ‘a3 turbofans were bot turing and burg n Une two minutes though the dy v8 ray Sunny, the ireonatoning st cooled the cocky very ‘api nd wary effectively. Compared wath he ‘otanpes new, mre power! skcondtoning Stor wos edopiad on production Rates wren he enc Ai Ftc reolaed tat te tre woe merossiigly tel o operate overseas The now Un ‘sO percont more power forte sare vou. ‘ns sre cance a9 igi et, ont ‘wo Dessnt fight teat engineers, Pere ou ‘ment and Pre Delesrsde, owed he isson from a eceated focy A speci aso stem Slowed tom to btn fo everyting ha wos ei in {he coc end to ealycommmoncate with us. The {wo ongeoe and he test plot exchanged deo Inoks sure a th test nsvumertston ard al he Systems ere wakog ere" Pgpe Robey thon flected the nara Nevgaton System format onthe ieehanatouchaceen ana ented me toes he Shormant whic took ony four minutes icon Gate nant 30 soca ut th reduced Secures With ecard fighttest and fleet fupmant checks compsted and clearance granted Marin-Bakers Mk 1th stato tho atin Iightoeight jection set ochnology, od i both {artigo and Rafale and a strong candidate or the P35. The ik forth Frnch arf sult a France ner lconc. Bolo sa S0- sled test rom a afte forward tseloge, andertakon at CEL BscaraseForboth home use and significantly. increases mission. success rates. through expr pti flee eanced crew awareness and improved aicaft sun Seng ceed fora wide, Si are atuees fe, SPECTRA's first fight onboard a Rafile took place in ‘param edition te, yy September 198, afer MOz protorype had been retrofitted Fe sie scat Since then the system has been thoroughly tested in very (frortnled bom wedby complex clecronic warfare scenarios. For tastance, Ralale imenynaton,nctodig” —MOZ was ited against 2 wide varity of the latest at France isl Hore Maale defence systems during the comprehensive NATO Mace X [tt caries our ofthe” ral ongaisel in August 2000 jn southwest France, and is weapons on twin racks (op elfefence suite performed flawessly in an extremely tesivcan becaried/00% — Gemanding envionment which comprised @ very wide Separatian clearance soto ‘a Caraux while sil easily variety of netted systems: Crotale NGS, Aspies, DE-Hawks (Danish Enhanced Hawks), DALLADSs (Danish Army Lov fouling thao ofthe : hauling thes oft g.ys Level Air-Defence Systems), Norwegian Advanced Susface tal tanks. Farther to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMSS), and even an. American Plearance work wil SA-15 simulator and a German SA'S fxpand the LOB repertoire SPECTRA is now in full procuction, and is already oper ‘th Poveway weapons, ational onboard Aéronavale Rafales. The suite has been be needed in the long-term, if ever Communication systems To rise above the fog of war, the Rafule is fited with an extensive ‘communications suite which comprises. four radio sets: one V/UHF and one encrypted UHF, plus to MIDS-IVTs (Multifunction Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminals) In modem comb, information and situational awareness are essential for immediate and Toul success, and the futuristic network-centric warfare concept is a key enabler. One of the most significant advances in technology, the advent of this global militan infosphere will shape the future of combat operations, allowing assets to exchange and share tactical data at ver high rates, and bringing together all Forces in the ‘atte space in a Very efficient way Rafale. was designed from the outset with a datalink capabiliy and, for France and other potential NATO- approved customers, i Will be equipped with the secure interoperable MIDST Link 16 system. Jointly developed by France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the USA, the light ‘weight (5-kg/6tb) LVT can tinsmit and receive data at arate of 200 Kb/s. In France, the MIDS-LVT will eventually equip. numerous. platforms, Mirage 2000-5Fs, Mirage 2000Ds, AWACSs, AAIMs, tankers, combat SAR helicopters and various warships, With MIDS-LVT, each Rafale in a formation will have data of other aircraft, ground station introduction of Ind adi ava of fond? siancawh grown mind to keep te Rafal abreast of datlini recognised a fundamental change a ‘emerging threats, and further developments are envisioned, — warfare tactics, and Rafale pilots will have access to far sion! US weapons elying a owe aa decoy asl ser based IR couse more aia information than thee predecessor. Perhaps ech aste AMER cu dicctonl tures wo defeat incoming Meied the most abwious advange fs the capably To recehe fRtemion Stewideromy cles, However, Dassault and Tales engineers ae prety targeting infomation fora silent inereepion tack oar costes {Uniden hat SPECTRA is aeady full capable of desing astring dial technologies has proved essential when ‘by ives Ground, the throttle was advanced for td we slow let the Dessau ight ine toward hoting pont 83 Take-off ton rare tog, arp mycin seat using he mein sea sat Panda by My th “ie ake from les was mage excelent vb Ieteorispea! conditions the tomoecature was 12°C {nd aildstevaion 623 m 75 above seaovel, ‘Th Ral sso powerful hat tis impasse 10 apo {uly power aganat the brakes as tis would snd the atratfowerd anyway, causing considerable ‘arnages fo the tyes hn the process, Completely ‘raring the automatic out Jeteston system, Phlppe Reboutgsmultancousl olacod tho brakes and $lemmed the trotte forward without checking the iy Digtl Engine Convo, wnch alows ito aceaarte from ie ofl hast pow in tveo soconcs ‘ccolraton Was very brisk numeric eedout of the Je, te arts longitu sccoeraton, boasted na mal box nthe mle of he HUD. ‘he obvious boot of ths Testu stat aminates the rood to cary aut he vadonel batstance ‘heck to conf engine performance and Stenierston Rotation speed wes 130 (281 kh ‘nd fast came some 700 mv, 300 ft down the ‘apway. Pipe Rebourg sed te gear whe we ‘were aczaerting heding nah. As soon a he ‘Wheels tthe ground, the ABE? rar automat ay Sched rom standby t emision. nan efor. 10 ‘rect hgh deck sew tom racin haar, ts Safety este hasbeen shy modified inthe Rae ‘Manne rth te rear becom seve ony won the Undercarriage i erated. When coming beck ra Sere, the amistons stop whan the gat ered. Honeer, hs canbe ovrtsen by he it thle Inetnce dung a comer-contaled speach, when the Real falowing anthor fighter n bad weather {onatons ung hse rade o maintain a sate Pape Rebuy handed me over tha jet to get # fost forthe arora ana become comtrai th the contols and depaye The deste andthe ‘afoles cockpit is mounted hgh onthe foselage. giving ‘an excellnt iw ofthe entre upper hemisphere. The ‘bulged canopy ais downward vision. massive Uwoite proved ideally positone. and the abitysfoeed bythe ge canopy outstanding [As entepoted the HUD repester was vaune, ‘owing moo Soe sagt ahead ofthe scr, My ‘nly concer wos that wan poming ect at he Sin the repeater white out andthe synbolony inet desppeored 02 fe equpped wih 8 ‘mondchome repeater but 9 new lou LCD ane with Irproved mage fosouton has been adoptod for ‘rns de 'Arfolow-on tworaaters, aris On offer for potental export customers. Scalp attack ving at 1000 t AGL and 400 AS, Phitpoe feboung demonstrated s cruise missle stack rfle, Fst he slated th srto-srace format on he le hand touetecteen, ae crested osmuat Ft with ‘wo Scalp misle, the weapon of choise for ng Tange attacks of dotendod trons. Thanks to an ‘vanced, useefendy mission prepara system, {he miatos fing velop had been determined Sore the sot, ord he parameters clea appeared ‘nite heedtovel apay The tost plot switche to Stack mose ands explained nth smut asked 10 bate the alignment ofthe misses neal. Iavgnton esters sng ts lf hand toucsreen, ‘The Wi St 1760 detabue eemedatalytonsared ‘Mounting the canard high onthe fsolage sides Iimpairs some downward wan i the ear sat ofthe ‘ela B, bts lss af problom i the ont sceusatepostoring dats tothe Sep, and a‘Jnk ‘der flashed inthe HUD. panting at oes, Phppe Rebourg thew the Rafe nto sggresnve manceares so thatthe gy tthe Ss were fed yh enough motion ona 9 Infomation. He stabised epain we ‘switched on the mssios' Micoturbo turbotors. You have t9be {are not to star those engines too ea ss thie ‘eauces mssie rong. The Sea fg sequence has eon conceived to facitate weapon rlsse. Al the Biot had todo wos to flow the predetermined Yate ‘tomo cescentshaped fang ervslop, and hen pull ‘with s postive gioad to simulate a portect ‘tomefmssie separation onfrebrsoang away 10 ‘vor hitng' he Scalp. Tho two sulted stant ‘Missle wore cttousy fred in auck succession ‘The Seas very low IR on rod Soares hab Ssappeds nthe background cht preverting ts ‘Sestuston before the atck For improved oficiney, {the trajectory ofthe weapon canbe adgpted tothe ate ofthe eget, enabling the miso, orton, {oy round to attack a bulig froma more \einerbleo less Sterded se "We prtorming the attack, both the radar and the 50 matamed a constant sveilance ofthe Sepa, ening he polo detect asta ngage any fhe attometing to tercept vs. During the whol fun the auton was engaped, ond Philp Rebousg accurate few tha Rafal with he ‘ool ht on top ofthe sGerstck. Th adwanced ‘onet Yul mtegrated rt te yoyo systom,