Page 7 - ADT MARCH 2021 Online Magazine

Rafale F4 for the Future French Navy aircraft), F2 (air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities), [ COVER STORY ]
The F4 standard is the fourth development F3 and F3R (extended versatility). The Rafale F1 Standard featured
standard of the Rafale, since it entered ser- only air-to-air capabilities and became operational in 2004 with
vice and development began in 2017. The the French Navy on Rafales launched from the Charles de Gaulle
F3-R Standard entered French Air and Space nuclear aircraft-carrier during operation “Enduring Freedom”. The
Force service in 2021 and incorporates MBDA’s F2 Standard entered service with the French Air Force and the
Meteor long-range air-to-air missile and Thales French Navy in 2006, adding both air-to-air and air-to-ground mis-
Talios new-generation targeting and laser des- sions. The Rafale F3 was qualified by the French MoD in 2008 and
ignator pod. All Rafales delivered since 2013 added the AREOS reconnaissance pod, anti-ship capability with
are fitted with the RBE2 Active Electronically the AM39 EXOCET (implemented in Rafale B, C, and M), and the
Scanned Array (AESA) radar.The Rafale F4 will nuclear capability with the ASMPA. The first Rafale F3 was deliv-
see the addition of Helmet-Mounted Display ered to the Air Warfare Centre and Operational Test & Evaluation
capabilities, integration of Mica NG Air-to-Air Centre (CEAM) of the French Air Force in mid-2008 at Mont-de-
Missile (AAM) and the 1,000-kg AASM Air-to- Marsan Air Base.
Ground Modular Weapon. There will also be
significant upgrades to the Rafale’s Spectra Fighting Fit
Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, upgraded fron- Despite its age, Boeing’s F-15 has received significant updates over
tal sector optronics (OSF), integration of the the years, and yet remains in contention in several fighter competi-
Thales TArgeting Long-range Identification
Optronic System (TALIOS) and upgraded
RBE2 AESA radar. It will also accommodate
future evolutions of ASMP-A, SCALP, AASM
1000 kg weapons. The Rafale F4 will deliver
greater connectivity to increase the aircraft’s
data processing capacity, improved air-to-air
and air-to-ground armament, enhancements
to the radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) suite
and ensure greater availability and operational
readiness of the aircraft through introduction
of a fault prediction and diagnostic aid system.

French Rafale F4s will enter service in two
stages in 2023 and 2025 and provide a tech-
nological, industrial and strategic leap over
earlier Rafale configurations: F1 (specific to first

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY March 2022 | 7