nice

A future new addition to rafale inventory of sensors :

2018 for the Next generation thales LDP

It is in 2018 that could be delivered the first laser designation pod next generation (NG PDL) developed by Thales, whose 45 copies should be ordered next year. Designated successor of the Damocles pod, the PDL NG must be a development for which approximately € 450 million may be incurred. If the launch is confirmed, it will equip the French Rafale (Air / Sea) and Mirage 2000D at the end of the decade, and will be delivered until 2022.

When asked, the DGA and Thales have not been able to provide comments. However, in the summer of 2012, the Delegate General for Armaments Laurent Collet-Billon had clarified that “negotiation was fastened” with Thales on this issue.

Several studies upstream markets had already been awarded to Thales to work on a new pod, which would include a TV camera plus an infrared sensor to facilitate the detection and identification of small targets in support missions close fire or intelligence unconventional (NTISR). This was particularly the object of PEA Mastrid notified in 2009 to 30 million – a program which it is impossible to know today what were the concrete results, as the subject is the subject of a “black- out “in terms of total communication.

On several occasions, employees of Thales Optronics Airborne Systems (TOSA) were moved from the breakdown of workload coming PDL NG if the contract was not notified. A union of the company in February 2012 stated that 150 jobs consultancy could be removed in June 2012, and 100 production jobs early 2014. The launch of the operation the next year will be confirmed before raising fears completely of these employees.

Budget documents associated with the proposed 2013 budget law specify that the PDL NG will also “proposed export.” In this highly competitive market, busy with references that are U.S. Sniper (Lockheed Martin) and the Israeli Litening (Rafael), the new product will be hard to Thales.

Historically, the sale of boats has always been closely associated with that of combat aircraft. But the recent example of the Emirates who are disillusioned with the performance of the Damocles pod now, had demanded the integration of the Sniper U.S. urges caution. Especially as India, which aims to get its first Rafale by 2016 (ie before the PDL NG is available) may also be required to make the choice of a nacelle … American or Israeli, as it did in the 90s to equip its Mirage 2000H.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/defense/objectif-2018-pour-le-pdl-ng-de-thales.html

I don’t think this new rafale offer will change the course of the swiss competition but the fact that Dassault can offer the same price for its rafale than SAAB for its gripen NG should mean that the actual picture of price comparison (purchase costs) is more tight than some would think…

The French aircraft manufacturer Dassault returned to the charge. Faced with the controversy surrounding the purchase of Gripen, he wants to submit a new offer for its Rafale. He sent in mid-September a letter to this effect to the Federal Council and the chairmen of parliamentary committees.

The government spokesman confirmed Sunday Simonazzi information newspapers Sunday “Sunday Morning”, “Zentralschweiz am Sonntag”, “SonntagsZeitung” and “Sonntag”. “The Federal Council has not addressed this letter but will respond in a timely manner,” said he.

Simonazzi as the chairmen of the security policy, Chantal Galladé (PS / ZH) and Hans Hess (PLR / OW), did not want to comment on the content of this letter Dassault.

Purchase price equal
According to the articles, the manufacturer offers 22 aircraft for 3.1 billion francs. This corresponds to the price of SAAB 22 Gripen manufacturer that Switzerland wants to buy. The Swede had won the bet for the lowest price.
Hans Hess, however, left some irritation reflected, having already answered in his time the French manufacturer that was not the right place. Dassault had already attempted to revive its offer to parliamentary committees earlier this year.

Asked about the possibility to make a new offer today, the Federal Department of Defence (DDPS) indicates that this question is not clear but depends on the Federal Council. The department has however been advised of the letter from Dassault, said Sonja Margelist.

Swedish CEO reassuring

This weekend, the CEO of the Swedish manufacturer Saab (19.85 17.11%) was reassuring. Costs related to the new generation Gripen fighter should not worry about the taxpayer Swedish Haakan Buskhe assured in an interview with the newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet”.

“We do not start from the beginning with a clean sheet and that is why we have no specific uncertainty vis-à-vis the cost of the new Gripen. Taxpayers Sweden need not beings worried, “he said.

Quarrel experts

According to experts interviewed by the newspaper, it should produce at least 400 aircraft for the manufacturer to recoup those costs. However, for the time between 62 and 82 aircraft were ordered. For Haakan Buskhe, “there is a potential sale of 300 Gripen aircraft”, but the unit will be profitable even if only 62-82 copies are sold.

August 25, Sweden and Switzerland have signed a framework agreement setting out the details of the acquisition of 22 aircraft of Berne next generation Gripen. Stockholm is committed to acquire between 40 and 60 aircraft. Generation E / F fighter aircraft will be ready in 2018.

http://www.tdg.ch/suisse/nouvelle-offre-dassault-rafale/story/30455437

In cockpit rafale footage in formation with Breitling demo team :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=E0si-LuNMr8

excellent ! I like this one too…

another one :

Normandie Niemen rafale special delivery :

(note the GBU-24)