Rafale News

[xav]

Better yet, open the still unopened (but available) external underwing pylons...

[Sancho78]

Better yet, open the still unopened (but available) external underwing pylons...

But that offers advantages only with strike loads, in normal A2A loads with 6 x AAMs, it doesn't make a difference at which wing pylon the missiles are (mid wing like we can see them today, or external). When the aim is to reduce drag and RCS, by integration of CFTs, the addition of missiles on the centerline stations, instead of the wings, should help as well right?

[Sancho78]

Now this is interesting! Seems like RAF WSOs flys together with French pilots in the Rafale, during strike mission over Libya:





Can any French member confirm that? Would be interesting to know what they think about the Rafale and how they compare it to RAF Tornados, or EFs.


And on a side note, Indian weapon development seems to go on pretty well and after the Sudarshan LGB Kit, the HELINA anti tank weapon makes key improvements and both could turn out to be interesting and cost-effective additions to Rafales weapon package:

India's Anti-Tank HELINA To Spawn Longer Range Strike Weapon

India's Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) plans to extend the range of the HELINA (Helicopter-mounted Nag) anti-armour missile into a >20-km range strike munition for combat aircraft and helicopters. HELINA project director KS Vara Prasad has indicated that his team is building a "miniaturised inertial navigation package" to enhance the existing weapon without adding weight or too much cost.
The HELINA, an air-launched variant of the Nag anti-tank missile, has a range of 7-km and has been captive flight-tested, with a scheduled first firing for later this year. The programme director has also revealed that a feasibility study is officially on to integrate the HELINA onto the Rustom-H MALE UAV. More details soon.

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2011/04...wn-longer.html

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/11...gb-kit-on.html

[NovocastrianUK]

"France teaches RAF air strikes over Libya"

Not very accurately named video, as mentioned in the British Armed Forces thread, its a part of an exchange program, which has been going on for years between the RAF and FAF.

[Sancho78]

"France teaches RAF air strikes over Libya"

Not very accurately named video, as mentioned in the British Armed Forces thread, its a part of an exchange program, which has been going on for years between the RAF and FAF.

But it's kind of surprising that they do this during a war, I mean did they do it in Afghanistan as well?

[NovocastrianUK]

But it's kind of surprising that they do this during a war, I mean did they do it in Afghanistan as well?

Not sure, but I guess better time then ever

[Olybrius]

"M-MRCA Selection To Showcase Independence & Professionalism": Indian MOD
Livefist , April 2

"If you think extraneous factors are going to guide our decision, then you may be surprised by the result." The words of a senior MoD officer who spoke to select journalists recently about the Indian medium multirole combat aircraft (M-MRCA) competition. As the decade-stretched competition plods toward a decision, tentatively scheduled in the next few months, the near unanimous sense -- from rumours, reports, leaks, hearsay, background briefings -- is that the big European twins, the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon -- are the IAF's two most preferred aircraft, and in that order [It was news station Times NOW's senior editor Srinjoy Chowdhry who first suggested this in a report last year].

The MoD officer quoted above also said, "There is no political pressure. This is such a large deal that it is apt for showcasing the excellent and professional job India has done in making an informed decision which is independent of any factors, including strategic and geopolitical. The air force is the customer, not the Ministry of External Affairs.

The question now is whether there will be a full-fledged down-select -- where two, or three, aircraft will be kept in the game -- or if only the one leading aircraft will be picked out for commercial negotiations and the others asked to have a good flight home. Both possible, say sources. In the first scenario, there is speculation now about the third spot. Different versions suggest that in third place is either the Gripen or the F/A-18.

After a decade of staying studiously below radar, and quietly emerging a supposed frontrunner, the Dassault campaign will be kicking itself for the ugly mess it now finds itself in -- the blacklisting of the company's Indian face for "embarrassing" the air force. Last heard, the French Embassy in Delhi was doing everything it could to get the IAF to reconsider, and allow Dassault's PV Rao to meet them. For what it's worth, the MoD has said the development doesn't in any way affect the M-MRCA selection process, seeing as it has nothing to do with the competition, but let's face it -- what Dassault has in effect done is to seriously piss off the customer in a competition it simply cannot afford to lose.

Taking off from IAF chief PV Naik's fears expressed during Aero India in February that losing vendors could delay the competition with protests and appeals, Defence Minister AK Antony has reminded the M-MRCA team to ensure that the companies are kept briefed about all decisions at every step. Once a final decision is made, the Minister has directed, that an extensive briefing will be held with all vendors, and all questions/queries sorted out in the shortest possible time.

If the Chief of Air Staff had his way, we'd have a decision on a downselect/elimination by April. The month has begun. Don't hold your breath too much.

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2011/04...-showcase.html

[vWarWolfv]

But it's kind of surprising that they do this during a war, I mean did they do it in Afghanistan as well?

Yes, we have an American pilot on a Mirage 2000-D backseat in Afghanistan, and a French pilot is serving on a A-10C.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123230917

[Olybrius]

Rafale International continuing its Brazilian campaign:

RAFALE INTERNATIONAL Expands Partnerships between BRAZIL and FRANCE

Rafale International/Defesa.net , April 1

Event was held with the support of FIEMG system, the Embassy of Brazil in France and the Chamber of Commerce France-Brazil

Belo Horizonte, April 1, 2011 - The International Consortium RAFALE formed by the French companies Dassault Aviation, Thales and Snecma, which participates with the Rafale fighter in the selection process of the new Brazilian fighter aircraft - the F-X2 - again discussing possibilities of partnerships between enterprises and between Brazil and France at a seminar held today, April 1, in the auditorium of FIEMG (Federation of Industries of Minas Gerais) in Belo Horizonte.
[...]
The International Consortium RAFALE presented its proposal to offset modalidadess and participation of Brazilian companies. The occasion was an opportunity for closure of several letters of intent between institutions and Brazilian and French companies for technology transfer in the state of Minas Gerais. The initiative is part of the efforts of the Consortium to initiate the process of industrial cooperation which includes the French proposal made ​​by Brazil. France is the only competitor to the F-X2 offers unrestricted transfer of technology to the Brazilian government and local companies and institutions - the projects of technology transfer and offsets will cover more than 160% of the contract for the purchase of aircraft. In this aspect, four new partners signed today with the Rafale International, adding to the more than 40 letters of intent with companies, institutions and universities in Brazil, for 67 different projects.

Among the partnerships entered into the agreement is between the IAS, a private company headquartered in Belo Horizonte, and Snecma, part of French group Safran. The agreement opens up solid prospects for cooperation in the field of maintenance, repair and support (MRO) of aircraft engines and provides a dialogue aiming to transfer technologies related to maintenance activities of the M88 engine in the contest program FX-2 ( purchase of 36 fighter planes for the Brazilian Air Force), if the Rafale is selected by the Brazilian government. Technologies maintenance of jet engines last generation to IAS will provide growth opportunities in domestic and overseas markets for the maintenance of civil and military aircraft.

The CSEM, mining company specializing in nano and microtechnology, also took the opportunity to strike a deal with Dassault Aviation in research and development of microsystems for the aviation industry. Based on the technological skills of high value of the CSEM and the experience of Dassault Aviation Research & Development, these projects will cover various fields of cutting edge research, and advanced microsystems, wireless sensors, advanced testing, nanotechnology, etc.. According to James Alves, CEO of CSEM Brazil: "Three aspects have been particularly notable in our discussions with the team RAFALE International: his pre-disposition to cooperate, their high technological capacity and its clear understanding of what is needed for a mutual partnership beneficial in Brazil. "

Besides the industrial agreements, the seminar also opened up opportunities in the fields of research and development to state institutions. UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), Snecma and Dassault Aviation have signed an agreement that gives a framework for future research and development projects, and partnerships in the area of Education. The cooperation provided cover various areas, such as advanced aeronautical technologies, the development of biofuels and turbofan engines for aeronautical use. Specified areas will also cover academic projects, as well as the formation of partnerships with French universities, student exchanges and links with clusters.

Finally, the very FIEMG also signed a cooperation agreement with the Consortium RAFALE to formalize the strategic partnership was signed during the seminar organized by both. The agreement concerning the acquisition of combat aircraft RAFALE by the Brazilian Government within the F-X2 program aims to create an Industrial Cooperation Program and Technology (or offset) for the benefit of the State of Minas Gerais. This agreement will build on the strategic level political and socio-economic development led by the State of Minas Gerais. He will provide the mining entities (training centers, research institutions, enterprises), prospects for cooperation aimed at the business of new technologies, and especially by aviation.
[...]
About RAFALE International
RAFALE International is a joint-venture (GIE Groupement d'intérêt Economique), composed by Dassault Aviation, Snecma and Thales to promote the Rafale combat aircraft to international customers. Pictures, videos and more information: www.rafale.com.br .

Google Translated From:
http://www.rafale.com.br/index.php?id=6&area=6
http://www.defesanet.com.br/fx2/noti...RASIL-e-FRANCA

French say they have agreements with 42 companies
[...]
In a seminar for entrepreneurs in Belo Horizonte on Friday, the director of Dassault Aviation, Jean-Marc Merialdo said he also seeks agreements with universities and research centers to study improvements in the project. "We will develop the aircraft together with the Brazilian and the French industry will pay for it," he said.
If the French fighter Rafale is chosen, he says, people from Brazilian companies will be trained first in France to meet the plane, and then will engineers of the consortium in Brazil.
Embraer should be the main partner of the French, if the deal is closed.
[...]

From:
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/8...empresas.shtml


For the record:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...=1#post5517150
http://www.rafale.com.br/index.php?i...a=6&release=46
http://scacbh.blogspot.com/2011/01/r...-o-brasil.html

[Olybrius]

AdA/Lybia , best pictures of the week:

[Olybrius]

Explosions as French strike Gaddafi ammo dumps
The Telegraph, march 31

The French military has released a video of an attack against a Libyan ammunitions depot by a flight of Rafale warplanes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...mmo-dumps.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcka0pJL6X8

[bve]

This is not a Rafale she's working on... but I think you were very very right to post this great photograph.

[Olybrius]

i know...

Lybian artillery near Benghazi, March 2010:


After the first Rafale strike , March 21 :

[Olybrius]

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2011/04...-showcase.html

I remember a previous Livefist 's article. If finally , according to Shiv Aroor , Rafale and EF are in that order the IAF's two most preferred aircrafts, here should be the complete ranking :

Option 3:

1) Rafale
2) Eurofighter
3) Gripen
4) Superhornet
5) F16
6) Mig 35

[...] Among the six options was one that reflected in precise terms a ranking that was conveyed to select journalists at Aero India by Indian Air Force officers, who of course asked not be named. They claimed that this one ranking was the one that concluded the field evaluation trial report submitted to the MoD.[...]

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2011/02...a-ranking.html

[Galileo]

But it's kind of surprising that they do this during a war, I mean did they do it in Afghanistan as well?

According this blog post http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2011/0...vole-dans.html

The RAF WSO who flight with FAF was also recently in A'stan on the backseat of a M2000D , he is the second to launch weapon from a 2000D, the first one was in 1999 during 'Allied Force'. At this time there was 4 RAF WSO in exchange with the FAF on M2000D.