TMor,
Though Rafale M has flown with 2,000 litre tanks, and has done so on the carrier (most recently during CDG7) these are still subsonic only, and operational aircraft on board the CDG use the 1,250 litre tanks.
The AdA Rafale fly with the 2000L subsonic too. These tanks are cleared for supersonic when empty (or nearly empty).
The new configuration, with 2 x 2000L on the carrier is just cleared, and would give the Rafale M an increased range. And they’ll use them.
========================================
On June 5, 2007, a French Navy Rafale carried out the second integration firing of the AASM air-to-ground modular weapon during a maritime test campaign of the CdG7 Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
With the aim of demonstrating the AASM’s ability to be fired from an aircraft carrier, the firing was carried it out as part of an operational mission that included several in-flight refuelings. The Rafale, which was catapulted in the Mediterranean, executed its mission over the Landes missile launching test center’s firing range.
The mission was a complete success in significant cloud coverage conditions, which extended to low altitudes and prevented direct view of the target, consequently demonstrating the AASM’s all-weather capability. The firing of a salvo of two AASMs resulted in high-precision synchronous hits on the same target.
Following a first firing carried out on April 26, 2007, this second AASM integration firing concludes the demonstration of the weapon’s operational ability on the Rafale. With its accurate all-weather standoff firing capability, the AASM provides forces with totally new air-to-ground capabilities.
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/
====================================
I can’t remember what i said before, so :
–the OSF-IT will not have the IRST, just the TV channel. The Sagem’s upgraded IRST is too costly, and the result isn’t granted. Thus, Thales could be the producer of the new IRST of the OSF-IT, but the 60 first Rafale to receive OSF-IT will not have their IRST (just the TV).
–The standard F3 will finally not have the HMS (what a shame). Here again, Sagem was finally dropped, and Thales should come back.
As a reminder :
Sagem proposed the Gerfaut, wich won against the Topsight-E in 2004.
Here is the Gerfaut :
(sorry very small)
And here is the former Topsight by Thales (Sextant) :
But this very futuristic and funny helmet has changed…
So, here is the Topsight-E (wich is the same, except that the E allow for the use of any oxygen mask) :
The Topsight-E is qualified for MiG-29, and in use in Indian Marine, on MiG-29K. It could be integrated to Rafale, but I can’t say when.
According to JP Latrigue, who Art talked to at Le Bourget, if a foreign customer want a HMS, an Israeli HMS could be chosen…
😉
Sign In
