The article says “PW II” and “E-PW III”. GBU-16, and, i guess, EGBU-27 (Enhanced GBU).

Even the RAFALE M F1?! that´s new!

Cheers

Every Rafale leaving the factory. I didn’t finish my sentence. Then, retrofits should finish the job.

Last Rafale fly away costs were :
Rafale C : 53.4M € with VAT (= 44.6M € without VAT)
Rafale B : 56.6M € (47.3M €)
Rafale M : 60.8M € (50.8M €)

We’ve not posted for a while here.

We have no good news. Rumors of decreasing the total number of Rafale are stronger now, as the publication of the “Livre Blanc” is closing.
The 294 target number may be lowered by something like 50 Rafale… 🙁

In Afghanistan, Rafale also use the Scarabée link, which allow ground operators to provide Rafale pilots with kill boxes, directly.

That’s now completly official.

A M2000D and a Rafale were called for help by a convoy under attack. As the visibility was bad (weather), LGBs couldn’t help, and the Rafale shot a first AASM (with the help of the Canadian JTAC in the convoy). 30 minutes later, the second bomb was drop, and as the visibility improved, the M2000D dropped a GBU-12.

According the SPD it would be better to reduce the buy of Typhoons and equipe only 4 wings, but changing all aircraft to a multirole capable standard and with all wings taking over multirole tasks.

I think it would be quite a smart move.

I’d like France to do the same (but as far as we know saved money is just… saved).

Same source :

In fact, during the same mission, the Rafale dropped 2 AASM, resulting on direct impacts on targets situated at 200 meters away from the allied troops.

Coordinates were provided by a JTAC, and the pilot didn’t see the target (we lack the information to know why, so, probably because the shooting were done at a great range… ?).

A2SM is now “combat proven”.:D

1) Those discussions (between Russia and Libya) aren’t new at all. I have a T&A (n°6 July 2007) which already report about this;

2) While those discussions were well known at the time, France entered exclusive negotiations with Libya, and it is to last up to July 2008;

3) Rafale are for an elite force;

4) Libya plans to replace a much wider part of its fleet than simply 18 fighters.

5) I have yet to read an occidental, official paper announcing that Rafale is “out” in Libya, with comments by Edelstenne (Dassault CEO) and Serge Dassault tearing his hair out (he has shown really confident one or two month ago about this deal).

My understanding is that the Russian’s offer comes together with Dassault’s offer. Libya could order both MiGs/SUs and Rafale, as they could be used for different purposes.