First Rafale M "Tranche 4/F3" with AESA radar and other upgrades delivered to French Navy

: Posted On Tuesday, 03 June 2014 15:22

Naval Forces News - France

First Rafale M "Tranche 4/F3" with AESA radar and other upgrades delivered to French Navy

The French Navy "Flotille 11F" Naval Aviation Strike Fighter Squadron, based in Landivisiau, Brittany, has taken delivery of its first "Tranche 4" Rafale M (Rafale M40). According to the French Navy, it is the first M variant (for Marine, Navy in French) aircraft to be equipped with systems and equipment that substantially improve its combat capabilities as well as its air defense missions for the protection of national airspace.

The French Navy Rafale M40, first Rafale M to be fitted with RBE2 AESA radar
Picture: French Navy

The main improvement is the new Thales Radar à Balayage Electronique 2 (RBE2) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with LPI (low probability of intercept) technology. Its detection range is substantially extended, and provides the pilot with an improved situation awareness for long-range combat as well as at very short ranges.

Several displays newly installed in the cockpit provide a better image definition and the head-up display is more transparent.

Beside the RBE2 AESA, Tranche 4 aircraft also include F3 standard improvements such as a new Thales SPECTRA self-defence system and Mode-5/Mode-S-compatible Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator/transponder capable of identifying civilian and military aircraft at longer ranges.