BoyElroy
01-26-2006, 06:18 PM
Aviation Week & Space Technology
January 23, 2006
New system, software package aimed at boosting Rafale's prospects in upcoming fighter competitions
BYLINE: Michael A. Taverna
With exports in mind, a Dassault-led team is set to introduce a package of system and software modifications to the Rafale fighter that would allow it to meet a broader range of requirements, from state-of-the-art surveillance to traditional strike or air defense.
Beaten twice in a row by the U.S.'s venerable F-15 in competitions in South Korea and Singapore, the Rafale now appears to have lost to the Eurofighter Typhoon in Saudi Arabia, although Dassault Aviation officials insist the final decision has not been made (AW&ST Jan. 2, p. 32). With several other contests expected to emerge--in particular, one in Greece--French industry and government officials acknowledge that some changes may be in order.
The lack of an electronically scanned radar antenna capable of long-range aerial surveillance tasks typical of AWACS aircraft is among the factors that have undercut sales efforts, industry officials say. The modification package would address this shortcoming while improving other items such as the forward infrared search-and-track system, electronic warfare suite and laser-guided AASM precision strike weapon, government sources said here last week.
Improvements in missile-system and other capabilities may also be envisioned. "Everyone has something to improve," said one official, referring to other partners in the program--Thales, responsible for most electronics systems; missile supplier MBDA; and engine/weapons maker Safran.
The modifications would be financed by deleting eight units worth around 400 million euros ($484 million) from a 59-aircraft, 3.1-billion-euro batch-three order placed in late 2004 (AW&ST Dec. 13, 2004, p. 48). Such a move would penalize Dassault, which provides nearly 50% of the aircraft on a value basis, although company officials noted this might be partially compensated by contractual changes. Industry insiders say the airframer considers the shortfall worthwhile if it will help boost exports in the medium term.
French industry had previously considered bankrolling the changes, which the government has declined to back because some of them--in particular, the radar antenna--are not critical for domestic requirements. However, the idea was abandoned when the government declined to assume full funding for the F2 strike software package in return. The improvements were instead offered to export customers such as Singapore as a codevelopment option.
Officials said the government would contribute indirectly to the new package by providing better coordinated high-level support for training and other after-sales activities, which the Singapore authorities cited as a factor in rejecting Rafale.
The systems package would be scaled down so that it can meet the requirements of operators for which price is more important than capability. Improving the competitiveness of domestic weapon systems by offering more straightforward and less costly export variants is a major priority set by Francois Lureau, head of French armaments agency DGA. The objective is to boost exports by 50%, to 6 billion euros a year, by the end of the decade.
The basic export version of the Rafale would become the F2 strike variant, to enter operation this summer, but with a building-block approach that would allow customers to choose the payload to fit its needs and pocketbook. The F2 will allow the Rafale to carry the basic GPS-guided AASM, Scalp cruise missile and Damocles new-generation targeting pod. The previous export standard had been closer to the F3 multirole standard, which will provide a strategic strike and advanced reconnaissance and antiship capability when it is introduced in 2008. The F3 will also facilitate use of long-range air-to-air-missiles such as the Meteor and improved versions of the AASM.
GRAPHIC: photograph, The Rafale's F2 strike package, which is scheduled to enter service this summer, would be the basis for future export offers of the Dassault fighter., DASSAULT AVIATION
January 23, 2006
New system, software package aimed at boosting Rafale's prospects in upcoming fighter competitions
BYLINE: Michael A. Taverna
With exports in mind, a Dassault-led team is set to introduce a package of system and software modifications to the Rafale fighter that would allow it to meet a broader range of requirements, from state-of-the-art surveillance to traditional strike or air defense.
Beaten twice in a row by the U.S.'s venerable F-15 in competitions in South Korea and Singapore, the Rafale now appears to have lost to the Eurofighter Typhoon in Saudi Arabia, although Dassault Aviation officials insist the final decision has not been made (AW&ST Jan. 2, p. 32). With several other contests expected to emerge--in particular, one in Greece--French industry and government officials acknowledge that some changes may be in order.
The lack of an electronically scanned radar antenna capable of long-range aerial surveillance tasks typical of AWACS aircraft is among the factors that have undercut sales efforts, industry officials say. The modification package would address this shortcoming while improving other items such as the forward infrared search-and-track system, electronic warfare suite and laser-guided AASM precision strike weapon, government sources said here last week.
Improvements in missile-system and other capabilities may also be envisioned. "Everyone has something to improve," said one official, referring to other partners in the program--Thales, responsible for most electronics systems; missile supplier MBDA; and engine/weapons maker Safran.
The modifications would be financed by deleting eight units worth around 400 million euros ($484 million) from a 59-aircraft, 3.1-billion-euro batch-three order placed in late 2004 (AW&ST Dec. 13, 2004, p. 48). Such a move would penalize Dassault, which provides nearly 50% of the aircraft on a value basis, although company officials noted this might be partially compensated by contractual changes. Industry insiders say the airframer considers the shortfall worthwhile if it will help boost exports in the medium term.
French industry had previously considered bankrolling the changes, which the government has declined to back because some of them--in particular, the radar antenna--are not critical for domestic requirements. However, the idea was abandoned when the government declined to assume full funding for the F2 strike software package in return. The improvements were instead offered to export customers such as Singapore as a codevelopment option.
Officials said the government would contribute indirectly to the new package by providing better coordinated high-level support for training and other after-sales activities, which the Singapore authorities cited as a factor in rejecting Rafale.
The systems package would be scaled down so that it can meet the requirements of operators for which price is more important than capability. Improving the competitiveness of domestic weapon systems by offering more straightforward and less costly export variants is a major priority set by Francois Lureau, head of French armaments agency DGA. The objective is to boost exports by 50%, to 6 billion euros a year, by the end of the decade.
The basic export version of the Rafale would become the F2 strike variant, to enter operation this summer, but with a building-block approach that would allow customers to choose the payload to fit its needs and pocketbook. The F2 will allow the Rafale to carry the basic GPS-guided AASM, Scalp cruise missile and Damocles new-generation targeting pod. The previous export standard had been closer to the F3 multirole standard, which will provide a strategic strike and advanced reconnaissance and antiship capability when it is introduced in 2008. The F3 will also facilitate use of long-range air-to-air-missiles such as the Meteor and improved versions of the AASM.
GRAPHIC: photograph, The Rafale's F2 strike package, which is scheduled to enter service this summer, would be the basis for future export offers of the Dassault fighter., DASSAULT AVIATION