arthurosorry I was not clear enough, I meant the rafale airframe exept the nose. Surfaces on the side of the aircrat are not orientated vertically (cf picture n°2). It is not angular like on the F22 or the F117 but more in line with UCAV with more “rounded” shape to meddle as much as possible the wings with the main body. Transition between the wings and the fuselage is smooth on the rafale.
The difference of the junction of the wing with between the fuselage the rafale A and rafale C (pics n°3 my previous post on that subject) is pretty straightforward. This modification has been done fore stealth reasons.
There was a special issue of A&C which detailed the modification between the demonstretor and regular rafales. They mention this modification we are talking about for stealth reasons. That was my point, and I was thinking about that document to expalin the RCS reduction measures to show that theese measures were implemented early in the design stage.
arthuroa few articles about the rafale and MRCA :
‘France clears technology transfer for Rafale fighter’
Paris, Nov 05: The French government has cleared the full transfer of technology for the Rafale combat jet that is one of the six aircraft in contention for an Indian Air Force (IAF) order for 126 fighters in a deal worth USD 10 billion, its manufacturer Dassault Aviation says.
“When we talk about technology transfer, we mean full technology transfer and not in bits and pieces,” JPHP Chabriol, Dassault’s senior vice president for military sales, told a group of visiting Indian journalists at the company’s headquarters here.
“The way we work, we first have to obtain clearance of the government before putting in our proposal. If we win the order, we can begin work on transferring technology from day one – unlike our competition,” he added.
The technology transfer would include that of a cutting edge radar that gives the Rafale the ability to also function as a close battlefield support airborne warning and control system (AWACS), Chabriol maintained, adding that the software source code would also be provided with the equipment.
The Advanced Extended Search Array (AESA) radar that Dassault is offering is still under development by French aerospace giant Thales, a partner in the Rafale project, and is expected to be integrated with the aircraft by 2012, around which time the IAF is expected to narrow down its choice of aircraft.
“We have full faith in the competency of Thales to deliver a top of the line AESA radar,” Chabriol added.
Transfer of technology is a key clause in the Defence Policy-2006 (DPP-2006) that governs India’s purchases of military hardware. Two other companies in the fray – Boeing and European conglomerate Eurofighter – are also offering an AESA radar with their F/A-18 Super Hornet and Typhoon respectively but say the transfer of this technology would be dependent to the extent the American government permits as the radar’s manufacturer is US electronics giant Raytheon.
At least one of these two companies has said they would definitely not transfer the software source code that enables the programming of the radar. What this means is that the IAF would have to specify the mission parameters to enable the manufacturer configure the radar.
Defence analysts point out that this could seriously compromise India’s national security as the IAF would not be able to re-programme the radar should it wish to at a later stage.
“This is not an issue with us. We will not only fully transfer the technology for the AESA radar but also provide the software source code so that that the IAF can programme it in the way it wishes to,” Chabriol said in response to a specific query.
Apart from the Rafale, the F/A-18 and the Typhoon, the other aircraft in the fray are the Lockheed Martin F-16, the Saab Grippen and the MiG-35, which is essentially an upgraded version of the MiG-29 that the IAF already operates.
The IAF had floated its global tender for the jets in September 2007 and these were opened earlier this year. The technical bids are currently being evaluated after which all the six aircraft will be put through a rigorous testing process in Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh.
The first is meant to gauge the aircraft’s ability to operate in the humid conditions of south, the second their effectiveness in the deserts of Rajasthan and the third to study their suitability in the icy Himalayan heights of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
By the time the evaluation process is complete, the size of the order is likely to rise to around 200 jets, as the IAF, which is down to 32 squadrons from a high of 39-1/2, is expected to see a further depletion of its fleet due to the retirement of some its ageing Soviet-era MiG-21 aircraft. The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 45 squadrons.
Chabriol also pointed out that being 100 percent French gave Dassault a distinct edge over its competitors on the technology transfer issue.
“The Grippen is powered by a US engine and has other US components too. Similar is the case with the Eurofighter, which has quite a few American parts. So, they would have to first seek the US government’s approval. In the case of the F-18, approval would have to be sought not only of the government but also of parliament (the US Congress).
“This legislative approval is not an issue in our case,” Chabriol added.
Dassault seeks level playing field for IAF combat jet order
Paris, Nov 5 (IANS) French aviation major Dassault, whose Rafale fighter is one of the six aircraft in the fray for a $10 billion Indian Air Force (IAF) order for 126 combat jets, has sought a level playing field in the competition, saying two sets of mismatched planes are in the fray and that it does not want to lose out on this count.The Rafale, as a twin-engine aircraft, is a heavier jet and is in the same class as the (Boeing) F/A-18 Super Hornet and the (Eurofighter) Typhoon. The other three aircraft are in the lighter variety,’ J.P.H.P. Chabriol, Dassault Aviation’s senior vice president for military sales, told a group of visiting Indian journalists at the company’s headquarters here.
The IAF’s RFP (request for proposal), in the first analysis, in terms of performance, is not extremely demanding. We don’t want a situation where the other three aircraft are compliant with the RFP but we lose out on the price differential,’ Chabriol added The IAF has to decide whether it wants a heavy aircraft or a light aircraft,’ he contended.
‘Quite obviously, there would be a price differential if a single or a twin-engine jet is chosen. If India takes the L-1 (lowest tender) route this would be unfair because we have a good product but this quality comes at a price,’ he maintained.In this context, Chabriol noted that Dassault had made an ‘unsolicited offer’ for selling 40 Rafale aircraft to India, an indication that the company would not be too disappointed if it did not win the larger order.
The IAF had floated its global tender for the jets in September 2007 and these were opened earlier this year. The technical bids are currently being evaluated after which all the six aircraft will be put through a rigorous testing process in Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh.The first is meant to gauge the aircraft’s ability to operate in the humid conditions of south, the second their effectiveness in the deserts of Rajasthan and the third to study their suitability in the icy Himalayan heights of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
By the time the evaluation process is complete, the size of the order is likely to rise to around 200 jets
arthuroOver G
first you should read reply n°814. It is quite informative about rafale discretion and confirm saw tooth role.
The whole airframe was designed to have the smallest RCS possible without compromising its performance as a fighter.
-In fact the rafale has a kind of V shaped fuselage to reduce its RCS (picture 1)
-The wings were redisigned after the rafale A (picture 3) for RCS reduction reasons :the junction with the fuselage is smoother. The pictures 2 and 3 are pretty straight forward. (a feature you can find on UCAV for instance)
arthuroActive Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RBE2 Radar for omnirole fighter
Active Electronic Scanning in the RBE2 radar represents a major step in the evolution of radar technology.
All radar functions are performed in the same flight:
Air Defence
• Very long detection and track ranges
• Fully automatic, sorting and ranking of tracked targets
• Fully target tracks independent of search volume.Deep low-level penetration
• Automatic terrain following and avoidanceStrike mission
• En Route update of target area situation
• High resolution imagery modes (SAR) – DesignationsSea skimming attacks
• Detection and multi-trackingActive electronic scanning makes it possible to switch radar modes quickly, thereby enabling operational functions to run simultaneously.
AESA has incorporated expertise coming from the current RBE2 Rafale radar, in the tradition of electronic scanning array radar.
The RBE2 has been in production since 1997 and was combat proven in multinational operations in 2001.
It can be fitted on large or medium fighter aircraft.TECHNICAL FEATURES
Antenna block
• Active electronic scanning
• Very low side and scattered lobes in azimuth and elevation
• Very high reliability (T/R modules)Active transmit / Receiver modules and exciter / Receiver
• Multipole Waveforms
• Coherent X band frequency generation
• Excellent spectral purity
• Wide bandwidth
• Full monopulse
• MMIC/GaAs technologiesProgrammable signal processor and data processor
• Target detection and ECCM processing
• Fully programmable
• Anti-obsolescence solutions: open architecture – COTS components
• Tracking computation
• High resolution map generationhttp://www.thalesgroup.com/markets/A…7A&type=Market
—————————————————————————————-
EW Rafale “Growler” in the works…Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA)
High Power Standoff and Escort Jamming
New Airborne Electronic Attack concept for electronic support jamming missions in present and future environments
Increased ES/EA mission capability through advanced jamming functions
* Pod or internally mounted, for fighter aircraft, UAV, J-UCAV or mission aircraft with network centric warfare (NCW) capabilities
* Very high power main / side / scattered lobe jamming
* Unsigned raid DDA, up to RF horizon action possible
* Smart techniques / coherent waveforms / covert jamming
* Smart power management using active phased array transmitterOutstanding performance with latest jamming technologies
* Solid-state active phased array AESA jamming
* Highly sensitive digital reception
* Highly effective multi-bit DRFM jamming techniquesMain features
* Very high ERP, for main, side and scattered lobes jamming
* Multiple DRFM architecture for simultaneous beam aimed multi-threat jamming
* Smart digital jamming techniques
* Wide angular coverage, up to 360°
* Extended low and high brand threat coverage capabilitiesCarbone Demonstration Aircraft
The new Thales AEA concepts and technologies have been implemented within the CARBONE demonstration programme.
CARBONE was presented and evaluated during the MACE X NATO trials, operating against sophisticated eastern/western radar technologies.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137433&page=15
arthuroAbout the use of RAM…
The Rafale EW suite, known as Spectra, is one of the most powerful systems installed on a fighter aircraft and is intimately associated with the unique approach to stealth and survivability designed into the Rafale. Dassault executives describe the Rafale as discreet rather than being stealthy in the sense of a F-22. To avoid detection, it combines avionics, tactics, and reduced radar reflectivity with some techniques that have not been directly revealed and are apparently unique.
The first element of discretion is that Spectra’s receiver system and the FSO help detect and track targets without using radar. Spectra incorporates a radio-frequency (RF) detection system, a missile-approach warning sensor, and a laser-warning system and provides full 360-degrees coverage. The RF detection subsystem uses prominent square-section antennas, mounted on the lower corners of the engine inlets and in the rear of the fin-top pod, covering 120 degrees each. The receiver antennas use interferometric techniques to measure a signal’s angle of arrival within less than 1 degree and are designed so that they do not have a large radar-cross-section (RCS) contribution.
The Rafale is also designed to use terrain masking, particularly at night or in bad, weather when visually cued short-range surface-to-air weapons are less effective. With its maneuverability and a high degree of cockpit automation, the fighter is designed to fly a terrain-avoidance/threat- avoidance profile at 5.5 g and 100 feet in altitude. The RBE2 and a terrain-referenced navigation system, using stored terrain data, are used to provide redundant flight guidance.
Rafale makes extensive use of radar-absorbent material (RAM) in the form of paints and other materials, Dassault engineers have said. RAM forms a saw-toothed pattern on the wing and canard trailing edges, for instance. The aircraft is designed to so that its untreated radar signature is concentrated in a few strong “spikes,” which are then suppressed by the selective use of RAM.
Spectra’s active jamming subsystem uses phased-array antennas located at the roots of the canards. Dassault has stated that the EW transmit antennas can produce a pencil beam compatible with the accuracy of the receiver system, concentrating power on the threat while minimizing the chances of detection.
But there is more to Spectra than conventional jamming. Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, a Thales engineer on the Spectra program, remarked in a 1997 interview that Spectra uses “stealthy jamming modes that not only have a saturating effect, but make the aircraft invisible… There are some very specific techniques to obtain the signature of a real LO [low-observable] aircraft.” When asked if he was talking about active cancellation, Chaltiel declined to answer.
Earlier this year, Thales and European missile-builder MBDA disclosed that they were working on active-cancellation technology for cruise missiles and had already tested it on a small unmanned aerial vehicle, using a combination of active and passive techniques to manage radar signature. This revelation makes it considerably more likely that active cancellation is already being developed for Rafale.
Active cancellation is a LO technique in which the aircraft, when painted by a radar, transmits a signal which mimics the echo that the radar will receive – but one half-wavelength out of phase, so that the radar sees no return at all. The advantage of this technique is that it uses very low power, compared with conventional EW, and provides no clues to the aircraft’s presence; the challenge is that it requires very fast processing and that poorly executed active cancellation could make the target more rather than less visible.
The complexity of active cancellation could account for Spectra’s high price tag, estimated in 1997 as “several billion francs” (equivalent to the high hundreds of millions of US dollars) for research and development. One of four Rafale prototypes was dedicated to Spectra tests, along with a Falcon 20 flying testbed. Four new large anechoic chambers were built to support the Spectra project, including one which is large and well equipped enough to operate the complete system in a fully detailed electromagnetic environment.
Spectra’s RF systems are backed up by a laser-warning system, an optical missile-launch-warning system, and a full range of expendable countermeasures. There is no towed decoy system.
On the weapons side, the F2/05 Rafale will carry the IR version of the MBDA MICA air-to-air missile. The Rafale is unique in being designed around a single missile, MICA, which has been developed in active-radar and IR versions. Both versions feature a data-link to provide mid-course guidance (like AMRAAM) and vectored thrust for short-range agility. Unlike other IR missiles, therefore, MICA can be launched before the seeker locks, on and can perform a completely silent beyond-visual-range attack. The F2/05 will also carry the MBDA Storm Shadow/Scalp cruise missile.
arthuroover-G
the only purpose of saw tooth is stealth. I had the confirmation from two rafale pilots three weeks ago in paris. The rafale B301 was displayed at “place de la concorde” for the celebration of one century of french aeronautics as well as many other aircrafts. I posted a personal picture of this event on this thread.
arthuroThis milestone is the last in a long line of key events that Thales has seen with the development of its state-of-the-art radar – AESA flight tests first began in 2003; the radar’s concepts were validated in 2005; the industrialisation phase was launched in 2006; and this final phase sees the end of the development period and the beginning of production of the hardware model. Final validation of software functions is expected to end in [B]the 1st quarter of 2010 with the delivery of AESA radars to Dassault
I already read several times in the press that first rafale equipped with AESA and M88 eco will be part of the current batch. (the last aircrafts of this current batch in fact). would the fact that they will be delivered in 2010 confirm that ?
arthurohttp://translate.google.com/translat…hl=en&ie=UTF-8
(google translation)
The French naval aviation is undergoing renovation. After the Rafale F1 and F2, modernization F3 standard equipment onboard the hunt began. In all, the Navy must have 60 Rafale to replace the Crusader interceptors, removed from service in the late 90s, and aircraft stormed upgraded Super Etendard, which must fly until the middle of next decade. We are now on the Rafale program with Vice Admiral Wing (2S)-Richard Willmot Roussel, the first commander of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in 1997 and now advisor of President navy Dassault Aviation.
Sea and Marine: What additional capacity offer the Rafale M-t-il? Are there any significant increase in the capacity of the naval task force with the Rafale?
Richard Willmot-Roussel: Without mentioning the implementation of a new weapons system in particular (eg Scalp, Mica, AASM, ASMP / A reconnaissance pod Reco NG ,…), can quickly quantify the new capabilities of an air group consisting of a number of Rafale or SEM, comparing the masses maximum catapults. SEM has an “operating weight” (the difference between mass and maximum mass catapult) of about 5 tons. For the Rafale M, moving to 10 tons. It has doubled the operating weight “of each aircraft catapulted, while moving the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is only one-third higher than its predecessors. Behind this “mass operational” command of the air group could play on its division between two major positions: the fuel (and therefore the radius of action) and carriage of arms, ie the capacity for action.This aircraft is there any technological challenge?
Certainly, in all areas. In the first one to implement on an aircraft carrier wing aircraft to Delta. This solution makes it possible to optimize a fighter in terms of maneuverability and carrying capacity. In return, it requires to control the area of low speeds to landing (no flaps for landing on a delta wing) while leaving the pilot the visual field to allow it to land safely. This constraint is overcome brilliantly by the flight-power digital Rafale.
Many other challenges were identified, such as design a weapons system that is fully integrated Rafale aircraft omnirôle, ie capable of conducting during a single mission, days by night, the air-ground attacks, air-sea-air and air.Current timetable for delivery of standard F3?
End 2008, the Navy has received its twenty-sixth Rafale. Deliveries standard F3 began in September 2008. At the same time, aircraft already delivered have started making their pitch to spend standard F2 to F3. I would remind you that the standard F3 is particularly important for the Navy because it gives the capacity ASMP / A, AM 39 and Reco NG the Rafale. For the remainder, the timetable for delivery of Rafale M is linked to the LPM who has just been deposited in the office of the National Assembly. It may simply indicate today that the timetable is dependent on the withdrawal from active service of SEM.
First returns of experience Rafale?
To mention only the Rafale M, we can be very satisfied with the feedback provided by the Navy after the deployment of Rafale on board the PA Charles de Gaulle during his mission in Indian Ocean in 2007. These aircraft have participated extensively in support of troops in Afghanistan, which, among other things, shooting with precision bombs or AASM GBU 12. In addition, the deployment of 12 F fleet in the U.S., especially on the U.S. aircraft carrier Roosevelt in July, showed that the French crews knew impress their American counterparts by their professionalism, the quality of their aircraft and In particular by his perfect interoperability.
It is sometimes argued that the Rafale will be quickly outdated, especially when compared to the future F-35 or F-22 Raptor. How do you respond?
The F-22 and Rafale planes are both contemporary but do not “play” in the same category. The American plane is a stealthy air superiority which was designed to be without rival in this field. Its price per unit is between two and three times that of the Rafale. Very few countries could afford such a machine (assuming that the U.S. would agree to export): Japan, Saudi Arabia, perhaps Israel … Rafale is smaller, cheaper and especially completely versatile as the F-22 will have capacity air-ground limited capacity and no Air.
As for the F-35, a plane that bets everything on stealth and is essentially air-ground. But even in this area, its carrying capacity is reduced. Its problems of development lead to huge additional costs which shocked the Congress regularly. Its price rose sharply and it is highly likely that the cost of ownership is very high, because stealth is very demanding maintenance. However, we can not deny that the F-35 aircraft over a “young” that the Rafale. But it is also a plane accumulates delays ….Recently, a version of the Eurofighter navalized was raised. Is it possible you think because this aircraft was not designed for this in origin?
The Eurofighter is suffering from major handicaps for a navalisation: First large reinforcements of the structure (fuselage and wing) are needed to collect the shocks to the landing and catapult. The works, colossal, may need to rethink the entire architecture internal (cell development). Similarly, the landing gear must be strengthened … Having been completely redesigned because it is currently under sized (too small wheels), on short leg (low ground clearance) and poorly implemented (including nose wheel set in inlets, so in a hollow structure that does not resist the efforts of the catapult and landing). Moreover, the approach speed of the Eurofighter is high. Finally, visibility to the impact of landing is low because of the “whiskers” in the nose.
After that, we can always say that everything is possible: it’s a question of price …. For information, Dassault Aviation had made a theoretical study on a navalisation Mirage 2000, a few years ago: the conclusion was to change 80% of the aircraft …UAVs are the subject of growing interest for several years. What is the strategy of Dassault in this area. Drones can in the coming years to replace the fleet onboard?
With the nEUROn demonstrate technological drone stealth fighter, we are working on unmanned aerial vehicles in general. We have no program specifically dedicated to naval now. Regarding the future of embedded fleets, we believe that the UAVs involved in addition and not in substitution of aircraft, as in the Air Force.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137433&page=15
arthuroThales Starts Low-Rate Output of AESA Radar
By pierre tran
Published: 3 Nov 11:35 EST (16:35 GMT) Print | EmailParis – A new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from Thales has entered low-rate initial production, with a delivery for the Rafale fighter aircraft scheduled for 2010, said Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, senior vice president in the Airborne Systems Division.
“This capability has ended the development phase and has entered production,” Chaltiel told journalists Nov. 3. A follow-on contract for full-scale production of the AESA RBE2 radar is due to be signed in 2009 as part of the fourth tranche order of 60 Rafales, he said.
Related TopicsEurope
Air Warfare
“Final validation of the software functions is expected to end in the first quarter of 2010 with the delivery of AESA radars to Dassault,” Thales said in a statement.The full production contract would be worth “several hundred million euros,” Chaltiel said.
The first production batch consists of three to four units of the AESA radar and is part of a development contract worth more than 200 million euros ($257 million) signed in 2006 with the Délégation Générale pour l’Armement procurement office under the Rafale Roadmap plan.
The Roadmap program was intended to speed up development of the AESA sensor and deliver self-protection gear to make the Rafale from Dassault Aviation more attractive in export markets. Accelerated delivery of an AESA radar was France’s response to the loss of a fighter competition in Singapore to Boeing’s F-15 Eagle combat jet.
The Rafale currently uses a passive array antenna for air-to-air and air-to-ground use. Once equipped with the active antenna, the Rafale would have a five-year technology lead over European competition aircraft, Chaltiel said.
Test and evaluation by French and foreign air forces showed as recently as last month the radar’s capabilities, which include collaborative fire between two Rafales using a Link 16 connection, he said.
Chaltiel also is head of a newly created division, Aerospace Solutions for Government, which deals with military contracts.
The probability of the RBE2 AESA tested in swiss is high. We had already rumors that the rafale B301 is fitted with an AESA antenna.
arthuroThales Starts Low-Rate Output of AESA Radar
Paris – A new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from Thales has entered low-rate initial production, with a delivery for the Rafale fighter aircraft scheduled for 2010, said Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, senior vice president in the Airborne Systems Division.
“This capability has ended the development phase and has entered production,” Chaltiel told journalists Nov. 3. A follow-on contract for full-scale production of the AESA RBE2 radar is due to be signed in 2009 as part of the fourth tranche order of 60 Rafales, he said.
The Rafale currently uses a passive array antenna for air-to-air and air-to-ground use. Once equipped with the active antenna, the Rafale would have a five-year technology lead over European competition aircraft, Chaltiel said.
Pierre-Yves Chatiel is the same guy which started the rumor of active cancelation for the rafale in an interview with Bill Sweetman a few years ago.
arthuroTrue. The problem is they might be restrictive exercises, as to not to reveal aspects of certain functions to each other. As soon as a weakness is found in either design Eurofighter/Dassault would never shut up about it. So it would be a very risky thing to do.
I agree with you and toan but, when comparing aircraft to each other people immediately think about a direct confrontation forgeting all other aspects of aircraft performances : like how will it perform in Air to Surface warfare. (which represents 99,99999% of actual operational missions)
arthuroIs it such a costly weapon ?
from the AdA perspective it is expensive not only because of the purchase cost but also all the induced costs.
logistics, facilities, staff training (pilots, air maintainers…)
arthuroWell knowing the current threat level and the probability that it occurs the Meteor is not absolutely necessary for the moment for the AdA.
Simply put, a potential conflict where the Meteor would be decisive is very unlikely before its introduction 2018 given the current geostrategic situation.
(potential ennemies capabilities, NATO allies capabilities in a coalition…)
So from the AdA point of view (I am not speaking of dassault here) it makes sense to postpone the meteor rather than the Damocles pod integration which is urgently needed in afghanistan.
If, (a big if !) a threat materialize in the next years they can always introduce the meteor sooner.
I think that most of us forget to think about relevant capabilities vs a “geostrategic situation in a given time frame” but rather think about “my aircraft can kill yours”
As far as exports as concerned, I am pretty confident that if a custommer want the meteor, then Dassault with the help of state grants could integrate it in a reasonnable time frame. (some tests have already been carried out)
So at a personnal level, even if I would have prefered to see the rafale carrying the meteor sooner, I think this is not so bad. There is more relevant capabilities to developp like GBU-24 and 49 integration, damocles, reco NG, exocet etc etc…
arthuroI’m quite prepared to believe that Rafale ‘beat’ the F-15 in Korea – though I don’t have reliable evidence to support that contention.
to add another source :
“Dassault’s combat aircraft Rafale was rated as “excellent” in all five categories, while its strongest rival, Boeing’s F-15 fighter, reached the standard in only two categories.
The Boeing fighter received “excellent” in reliability and supportive combat capability, while Eurofighter, produced by a European consortium, won the top grades in the general function and reliability categories.
In the categories of weapons and electronic warfare capability, only Rafale earned the “excellent” grade, according to the officials.
Russia’s Su-35 took fourth place with “ordinary” rates in all five categories.
arthuroan article
The Rafale attack Switzerland
targeting businessesAfter Saab, it was the turn of Dassault to admire his plane to the press. The French manufacturer is aimed less at the people and more at the entrepreneurs.
One hundred and fifty industrial projects covering 200 Swiss companies throughout the country, is what the French offered for the purchase of the Rafale. Yesterday was the turn of Dassault-consortium Thales-Snecma of bragging to the press Swiss benefits to buy multi-role combat aircraft. The Rafale, one of three candidates to replace the F-5 Tiger, has since October 9 last technical evaluation and operational at the aerodrome of Emmen near Lucerne. The Swedish Gripen has already passed the test in August and the Eurofighter Typhoon from European consortium EADS is expected from November 6.
The French strategy to conquer Switzerland is very different from that of Sweden. While the latter already addressed the people, Dassault wants to first seduce many SMEs which are the fabric of high-tech industry in Switzerland by putting a bunch of projects under the nose. One third are already en route, ensure there. “It affects all cantons,” said Pierre Derendinger, program manager of industrial compensation Rafale International. The French insisted canvassers that the Swiss economy will benefit from significant technology transfers.
In principle, whoever wins the market compensates 100% expenditure by purchases on the Swiss market. The quality of industrial cooperation is one of the criteria for evaluating the offers each contestant. All must be found in Switzerland the equivalent of 2.2 billion francs command and technical cooperation. Saab also indicated that cooperation were signed or study, including Pilatus. But the Swedes were more focused on the political, cultural and psychological approach to Switzerland. (Two small neutral country, proud of their independence and loving the job done).
The selection of Gripen, cheaper, should be a clearly inevitable. It is clear that the strategy is already Saab Swiss voters who will vote on the initiative of GSsA moratorium on the purchase of fighter aircraft and will have the last word. Speaking primarily to SMEs, Rafale International plays an important asset. Well established in their regions, the bosses of these companies can act as a relay to the political leaders who will choose the type. But this is not the only argument that the French were thrown into the balance. They also play the card of the proximity and openness by offering Swiss full transparency and virtually unlimited access to training facilities of France.
A Swiss pilot could take off in the morning of Payerne, travel to France, a mission of the year, to land on a French base, carry out simulator off, make another year and be back home to the dinner, “says Pius Drescher, the managing director of Rafale International in Switzerland. “A Swiss squad will be treated as a French squadron,” Alain Le Dortz outbid, the General Delegation for Armaments, the French equivalent of armasuisse.
Like Saab, the French promised full transparency: the Swiss have the full data from the plane and there will be no component inaccessible. But Rafale International and the French government are prepared to go further and integrate Swiss in the future development of the airplane and share with them all the operational innovations. “We are never gone that far in the cooperation,” said Alain Le Dortz.
To those who see it already annexation Air Force by the Air Force French, the French are content to say: “This is a proposal. It will be up to Swiss to decide what they want to take. ”
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