Developement of OSF was ordered by DGA contract to Tompson/TRT in 1991 and first flew onboard a Mistere 20 in 1996.
First flight on Rafale in 1999 with first qualification with aerodynamic dumy and Carrier qualification with Rafale M01 and M02.
Another model, more recent of IRST wasn't selected for replacement.
There are two upgrades in the pipeline, OSF IT (Improved technology) which concerns the camera with improved range anddefinition and OSF NG implementing new technologies as to increase its all-weather/long-range capabilties.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 25, 2009 3:42 PM
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btw... what is the range of rafale's (combat identification)instrument? is it 40 km plus? will it track stealth air crafts like F-35 JXX or russian stealth fighter?
____________________________________________
"Anti indian, the raja of the jungle!!"
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= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 25, 2009 7:09 PM
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can rafale super cruise in future without major modification?
---
According to some sources the Rafale can supercruise at Mach 1.4 with a couple of Mica's etc (a below average combat load).
Other sources say it cannot supercruise anymore than a F-16 can supercruise.
When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.
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"Nighthawk00)
According to some sources the Rafale can supercruise at Mach 1.4 with a couple of Mica's etc (a below average combat load)".
Our sources: Rafale pilots and recent comments made by Dassault-Aviation officels for thepast two years at the Paris Airshow speak about a maximum supercruise of M ach 1.3 with 4 X MICAs, M 1.2 with a central 1.250l tank.
And definitely NO it is not "a below average combat load" it is the standard AdA/MN combat load for Air superiority missions.
AAMs seekers have a limited life-span, the previous generation was limited to 200 flight hours, therefore there is no points fiting fighters with 6 or 8 AAMs most ofthe time considering that it will only have for result to increase the operational coast and deplete the AAM stock faster.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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AAMs seekers have a limited life-span, the previous generation was limited to 200 flight hours, therefore there is no points fiting fighters with 6 or 8 AAMs most ofthe time considering that it will only have for result to increase the operational coast and deplete the AAM stock faster.
____________
wow why why very shocking
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Is that the old optics system which was cancelled after the first 40? units because the French government described it as obsolete? Or is this a new replacement system?
"He lives in a world where concept is reality..."
I once lived in France,
but left for Angleterre,
I dream up flying in planes,
and invent some sources too,
but when it comes to proving it,
it's Tampax down the drain!
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Does TAF have the budget to equip their F-16 with 6 AAMs in a permanent basis?
Photos please?
That's 8 AAM stations in total.
Quote:
"PPP
Is that the old optics system which was cancelled after the first 40? units because the French government described it as obsolete? Or is this a new replacement system?"
Correction:
It was not "cancelled after the first 40? units because the French government described it as obsolete" but because some components were considered too old for continuousproduction and wouldn't have been available in the mid-term for cause of end of production.
This Avionics obsloescence problem touches every systems with every aircrafts after a while expecially now that their developement time aproaches 10 years.
Rafale systems have been totaly upgraded since the basic F1 standard.
In particular the MDPU have already seen 2 upgrades and literaly everything that could cause such a problem was upgraded.
The proposed OSF follow-up generation of technology didn't offer an increase in performance judged sufiscient to justify the cost so production was halted after 37 units, considering that the Unit is mission-soecific this is not a problem in operation until replacement.
Instead the gouv and DGA opted for the continuous developement of new generations of IR/Optical systems based on the technologies developed since 1991 with breakthrough made in the multi-bandwidth and pixel-powered fields.
As a result, OLOSP is All-weather/Long-range and in service, Damocles is All-weather/Long-range and in service with a new generation being already developed, as opposed to the systems fitted to F-35 which are still Visual Condition Limited.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 26, 2009 10:00 AM
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When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.
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Eric (no, not that one) (Login SpudmanWP) Soldiers
Re: rafale question..
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September 26 2009, 5:27 PM
Thunder,
Could you please provide a link to info stating that they are planning on a 360*360 IR based system for the Rafale that will track aircraft, missiles, and ground targets.
Don't bother with mentioning ELIX-IR, as it's a helicopter system and only works at low altitude.
Also, the ELIX-IR is a single color IR just like EODAS and will have the same weather limitations.
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It is expected that Elix-IR, along with other products such as MIRAS, a threat warner for fast-jets, Vicon 78, a counter-measure dispenser system, and Imagery on Demand toolsets will constitute the basic components of a future Thales Defensive Aids Suite solution, offering an unrivalled capability for the protection and sustained operation of modern air platforms.
http://www.thalesgroup.com/News_and_events/LandJoint_Focus_081008_elix_ir/
= will constitute the basic components of a future Thales Defensive Aids Suite solution...
DONT dismiss Elix-IR simply because it is designed for helicopters, it is what is inside (the technology) which matters...
From where i am standing, Thales have been developing long-range/All-weather IR sensors technologies since OSF in 1991, they never stoped, first using multi-bandwidth, then mixing them and improving these characteristics by using bandwidth subtraction.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 26, 2009 5:42 PM
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It can detect and track anything including stealth aircrafts.
OH YEAH ?? LYING MORON.. IT CAN ONLY DETECT YOUR ASSSS. .. FARTING, FARTING AND FARTING, NOTHING NEW..STATEMENTS UNPROVED,UNSUBSTANTIATED,UNTRUE,BASED ON SUPPOSITION AND FANBOY FANTASY..THAT'S SAMPAIX THE RETARD HIS SIGNATURE .
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= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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Eric (no, not that one) (Login SpudmanWP) Soldiers
Re: rafale question..
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September 26 2009, 11:04 PM
Sorry, I must have missed the reference. All those links only mention that development of the MASTRID is a follow pod to replace Damocles, not a 360*360 (ala Elix-IR) for Rafale or any other fast jet.
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OH YEAH ?? LYING MORON.. IT CAN ONLY DETECT YOUR ASSSS. .. FARTING, FARTING AND FARTING, NOTHING NEW..STATEMENTS UNPROVED,UNSUBSTANTIATED,UNTRUE,BASED ON SUPPOSITION AND FANBOY FANTASY..THAT'S SAMPAIX THE RETARD HIS SIGNATURE .
God, you are an idiot. Of course it can detect stealth a/cs as it is a passive sensor and can track them visually. Stealth a/cs aren't invisible, Turk boy. 40km is an awesome range. It's literally like God's eyeball installed on an a/c.
---------------------------
De Gaulle to the General Koenig, Norman hero of Bir Hakeim: "Hear and tell your troops: the whole of France is watching you, you are our pride."[
This message has been edited by Eric_De_La_Legion on Sep 27, 2009 2:52 AM
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"SpudmanWP)
All those links only mention that development of the MASTRID is a follow pod to replace Damocles, not a 360*360 (ala Elix-IR) for Rafale or any other fast jet".
Q: Do you actually READ all these documents?
MASTRID Multicontext Airborne System for Targeting, Recognition and IDentification
You keep missing references and clues apparently; here goes...
= along with other products such as MIRAS, a threat warner for fast-jets,
Elix-IR, MIRAS and MASTRID are part of the same technology developement effort and have similar goals but MASTRID is the next step of developement, Elix-IR is already available.
It doesn't matter if it is for fast jets, helicopters, IRSTs or MWS, these technologies are used for all these systems and implemented at a different level.
HERE your multi-colour fast jet 360X360 system already existing and acurate enough to destroy AAMs seekers with a laser (DIRCM system).
A system capable of tracking the reflexion from an AAM seeker with enough precision to guide a laser will have little problems tracking aircrafts, also, laser bursts can give you 3D location and AAM firing capabilties if needed...
1) There is a replacement being developed for Rafale SAMIR MWS and it has being posptponed time and time again, it would be "simpler" to use off the shelf MIRAS.
2) MASTRID, PDL NG (Pod Designation Laser Nouvelle Generation) is being developed now for envisioned service entry in 2014 (technology cyle is 5 years, developement time to service entry about the same).
3) "Imagery on Demand" toolsets and laser gives you the same capabilties than EODAS plus those of OSF: =
Missile Firing Capability already existing (OSF) as well as an Optical channel for Targeting, Recognition and IDentification.
By trying to separate these devices by category instead as looking at common capabilties you simply "forget" that they use common technologies or/and are descending of already existing systems/technologies with the same goal, developing All-weather/long-range IR/Optical sensors.
Quote:
"Also, the ELIX-IR is a single color IR just like EODAS and will have the same weather limitations."
Say WHO? Thales have an edge in this technologies, regardless of the number of colors, there is more to it than simple bandwidth.
Then, even so Thales develops FIRST a weather independent missile warning systems, THEN peripheral capabilties such as "Imagery on Demand toolsets" (Quote: Extensive growth path options include exploiting the inherent image derived from the sensors to provide additional functionality such as pilotage and driver vision aids - to substantially reduce the impact of brownouts' for example), it is the same developement patern, EODAS have followed the same developement path, starting as a simple Defense system.
My bet is that the next generation OSF and this future defense system are being developed in parralel (would make sense considering sensor fusion) and there is nothing indicating FLIR or Optical channels capabilties are not not being developed for this MWS replacement as the image derived from the sensors are already available today with the simplest (Elix-IR) mono-colour system.
What is unclear though is the capability separation between the systems and the next generation of DAMOCLES which already provides with FLIR and A2G target designation.
I believe that a pod optimised for the role will always be more performant than a system like EODAS or these, so Thales have to make choices for optimisation and these systems will propbably be optimised for A2A as was OSF with PDL NG optimised for the A2G role.
Come 2015 there will be a potent 360X360* Long-range/All-weather Detection, Tracking, Targeting and A2g/A2A weapons Cueing capability for BOTH Offensive and Defensive roles available for Rafale, now we can bet your 2016 X-Mass turkey if you wish.
>>>>>
@EriX. Il le fait expres, c'est un provocateur de premiere.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 7:30 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 7:27 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 6:58 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 6:53 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 6:25 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 6:21 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 6:13 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 5:58 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 5:54 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 5:42 AM
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Have a good read, hope photobucket doesn't go tits up and hide the photos...
"antiindian)
can rafale super cruise in future without major modification?"
Rafale already supercuise, it did so during its first flight with developement engines (less powerful than the production M-88) and this was confirmed by its pilots.
Datas provided by the programe managers during the Paris Airshows are:
M 1.3 with 4 AAMs.
M 1.2 with 4 AAMs and a 1.250 L external tank.
The "Noises" about Singapore are desinformations posted by some bogus journalists pretending to have "internal" source from Singapore now pretending they knew the Rafale pilots who crashed recently, trying to regain some credibility after lying to people about the aircraft for years.
Supercruise is the result of supersonic drag vs dry thrust, with a 48* sweep angle, a clean Rafale would have a higher Critical Mach than F-22, resulting in a higher supersonic speed for an equivalent thrust, so there is NO reason for it not to supercruise AT ALL.
Drag is computed from wingsweep and surface.
F-22 engines are optimised for Dry thrust which explains its high supercruise Mach.
Singapore Mindef published a stament saying that no datas could be "leaked" for contractual reasons and no officla staments were ever made about the aircrafts respective performances.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 7:52 AM
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India was stupid to reject this aircraft. If not Rafale then atleast the Eurofighter, if they go for the F-16, F-18 nad the Mig-31 then God save India.
Grippen is a solid aircraft, but in all probability it looks like it wont be accepted.
colours of Kaziranga
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"Free_Nation)
India was stupid to reject this aircraft. If not Rafale then atleast the Eurofighter, if they go for the F-16, F-18 nad the Mig-31 then God save India".
The latest we heared aboutthis was that this story about Rafale being rejected was simple another journalist story, Rafale is still in the competition.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 11:36 AM
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The latest we heared aboutthis was that this story about Rafale being rejected was simple another journalist story, Rafale is still in the competition.
Looks like they have it in for the aircraft.
I don't know about the Gripen.
The deal doesn't seem to be that related to the aircraft themselves, but rather as leverage in other deals. If this is the case, then anyone not majorly involved in these deals might as well withdraw their aircraft and save the money for R&D.
It's NOT over 'till the fat lady things and Rafale is the best aircraft out-there, it also provide with the highest upgrade path of all competitiors.
There is NO best aircraft.
"He lives in a world where concept is reality..."
I once lived in France,
but left for Angleterre,
I dream up flying in planes,
and invent some sources too,
but when it comes to proving it,
it's Tampax down the drain!
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= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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^ hey can you tell me... with IR tracking system on board the Rafale can it guide MICA IR beyond 20KM to let say 40km? dont both MICA IR AND radar guided use same rocket motor?
____________________________________________
"Anti indian, the raja of the jungle!!"
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"antiindian)
^ hey can you tell me... with IR tracking system on board the Rafale can it guide MICA IR beyond 20KM to let say 40km? dont both MICA IR AND radar guided use same rocket motor?"
First of all, the OSF is capable of detection against fighter-sized targets at range of about 130 km.
At this range, the IRST will track the target anyway.
Then the Camera allows for ID of the same target at ranges superior to 30 km but this is also close to the maximum range of the laser designator which is necessary for acquiring the target's 3D position.
So i think that (since the real datas are clearly classified) 30/40 km is the maximum for OSF to cue a target for MICA EM.
On the other hand, MICA IR is well capable of locking on a target at 60 km, this was first indicated by "squadron" noises (non-official leaks) but now we got some high ranking officer who gave 60 km as locking distances for it in an old article in Flight International so these noises might be true.
Also, MICA IR is used with the rest of the sensors with sensor fusion to increase their sensitivity/range and FoV.
= Thomson Optronique declines to give exact performance details of the FSO, but it is understood that at 20,000ft, for example, in air-to-air mode, the system will have an infrared detection capability of around 130knm, while laser ranging is possible out to about 33km, and the TV is capable of looking out to 45km.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/06/09/51953/seeker-gets-on-track.html
This 1999 Flight International article gives you and idea, it is often easier to get datas from old archives like this one because from the time the GIE was created, the datas were classified and we got averages or sandbaged datas like those of the MICA at MBDA for example.
>>>>>
Seeker gets on track
The Rafale's electro-optic sensors, the aircraft's 'eyes' will provide a valuable supplement to the radar and together will give the crew a detailed all-weather view
Julian Moxon/PARIS
Flight testing of the Rafale's front sector optronics (FSO) system began in April, aboard the Dassault Mystere 20 "avion banc d'essai" testbed aircraft. It will be the first fully integrated optronic surveillance and tracking system installed on a European fighter aircraft. It is in some ways more advanced than equivalent systems in the USA, says programme manager Thomson Optronique.
Development has been held back because of the overall delays in the Rafale programme, but also because of the immense task of ensuring the system is fully integrated with the radar and electronic countermeasures to provide the multirole capability which is key to the Rafale.
The "eyes" of the FSO comprise the infrared system (on the right hand side) and TV/laser on the left, mounted on top of the nose, in front of the pilot. Thomson Optronique is responsible for overall integration and for the TV and laser ranging elements of the FSO, Sagem the infrared component. The signals from both devices are fed to a dedicated computer mounted directly below the scanners, between the radar and its processor.
The FSO provides air-to-air and air-to-surface surveillance. The air-to-air component and the air-to-surface is still under development. "The first flights we have made have given us good confidence in the system," says Thomson Optronique.
The FSO is slaved to the aircraft sensor system and can work either as a standalone sensor or in conjunction with any other sensor such as the radar, Spectra self-defence system, or missile seeker. It scans at the same angular speed and looks at the same area of sky or ground, according to the search/track mode set by the pilot. Interception, for example, requires a wide sweep, to look for targets, while combat sweeps involve smaller angles (the figures are classified).
The infrared scanner works in the 3-5mn and 8-12mn bands, providing a 3-5mn capability for the first time in the west, says Thomson Optronique commercial director Jean-Claude Vergnères. This wavelength provides "considerably better detection capability in humid conditions", he adds.
The TV provides tracking, identification and three-dimensional acquisition for weapons lock-on (using the laser ranging function). It has a narrow field-of-view of less than 1¼, for precision and high resolution (and therefore target identification) at long range.
Coupling of the FSO to the radar is set for 2001/2. The aim is to have the system up and running for installation in the F2 version of the Rafale by 2003, which will have air-to-air and air-to-ground capability. Full Rafale multirole capability comes with the F3 version, due to become available in 2006.
Thomson Optronique declines to give exact performance details of the FSO, but it is understood that at 20,000ft, for example, in air-to-air mode, the system will have an infrared detection capability of around 130knm, while laser ranging is possible out to about 33km, and the TV is capable of looking out to 45km.
FSO images can be viewed on the mid-level display or either of the main cockpit displays. Radar and TV images cannot be mixed, although work is known to be under way on ways of fusing the two images. At present, however, only discrete images of either the radar, TV or infrared can be viewed. Selection of which screen provides the imagery is through the pilot's stick-mounted Hotas control.
Rafales will also be equipped with the Damocles infrared air-to-ground targeting and "pseudo-recognition" pod developed originally for the Mirage 2000-9 sold to the United Arab Emirates (in which application it is called the Shehab). The pod brings full air-to-ground capability for day/night targeting, the "pseudo-recognition" capability providing limited intelligence on the nature of the target. It is compatible with existing and all currently planned future weapons, including long-range laser and TV guided and inertial navigation/global positioning system-guided weapons and missile imagery seekers. For imagery weapons, due to the "very high image quality", the pod will provide the reference image for the seekers. It can either work autonomously or with a laser spot tracker. In self-designation mode the Damocles has a range of 30km at 20,000ft with a temperature differential of 2k. For INS/GPS it provides real-time identification of moving or fixed targets with three-dimensional localisation, with a claimed range of 40km at 25,000ft. The infrared camera works in the 3-5mn range, while the 300mJ laser provides illumination
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/06/09/51953/seeker-gets-on-track.html
Here a couple of screenshots from a rare video from Thales to give you an idea.
Oh yeah, i forgot the second part of your question:
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 11:29 PM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 5:42 PM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 27, 2009 5:21 PM
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The origins of the RAFALE can be traced to joint discussions between European nations taking place in the early eighties. But in the wake of the tri-national Tornado program which had put the most emphasis on air-to-surface functions, it soon appeared that the prime requirement of participating nations other than France was predominantly on the air-to-air side.
The French Forces wanted a balanced multi-role aircraft that would be able to replace 7 types of aircraft around 2000-2010 :
1. Jaguar (air-to-ground attack),
2. Super-Etendard (carrier-based air-to-ground attack),
3. Crusader (carrier-based air cover of the naval group),
4. Mirage F1 (multi-role),
5. Mirage 2000 C (air defence),
6. Mirage 2000 N and D (precision strike/interdiction with conventional and nuclear weapons),
7. Mirage 4 (nuclear strike and recce),
Two of the types to be replaced had to be carrier-based with all the resulting implications in terms of force projection capability: fast-deployed, self-supporting and lethal with limited size.
This was the rational that eventually led to the decision by the French industry and Government to go it alone on RAFALE and provide it with distinctive features tuned to world-wide - opposed to strictly West European - market expectations.
The RAFALE is available as a single seater and as a two-seater in its land (C,B) variant and as a single-seater in its carrier capable (M) variant, featuring 80% commonality between them, with a single basic platform and mission system. It is slated to be the French armed forces' prime combat aircraft until 2040 at least.
Airframe - materials - flight controls
RAFALE features a delta wing with close-coupled canards. In-house research in computational fluid dynamics has shown the specific benefits of close coupling between the wings and the canards : it ensures a wide range of CG positions for all flight conditions as well as benign handling throughout the flight envelope. This is key to the RAFALE carrying capability, high alpha performance and range performance. Every effort has been made for the sake of tactical flexibility to obtain balanced performance between subsonic and supersonic regimes, either in heavy or lighter air-to-air configurations.
Longitudinal stability is moderately negative with a full fly-by-wire digital control system. The system is quadruple redundant with three digital channels and one separately designed analog channel. Design independence between channels is pivotal in preventing fatal flaws simultaneously affecting several channels due to software misconceptions. This is a unique feature derived from a more than one million flight hours in-house experience in full fly-by-wire (i.e. without any mechanical back-up) without any accident caused by the FCS.
Minimising the RCS has also been a design driver in order to make stealth tactics possible. Most of the stealth design features are classified but some of them are clearly visible such as the serrated patterns on the trailing edges of the wings and canards.
Dassault Aviation has a long praised tradition of designing sturdy airframes that sustain over 30 years of operation without heavy structural retrofit.
Thanks to a Dassault Aviation unique know-how in finite element modelisation, the RAFALE airframe fatigue is monitored with a gauge-free concept. The operational Mirage 2000 fleet daily demonstrates the relevance of this concept.
Composite materials are extensively used and account for 70% of the wetted area. They also account for the 40% increase in the max take-off weight to empty weight ratio from traditional airframes built with aluminium and titanium.
The M88
The M88-2 is a new-generation engine featuring state-of-the-art technologies, including non-polluting combustion chamber, single-crystal turbine blades and powder metallurgy disks... It also features the latest advances in reducing electromagnetic and infrared signatures. In short, the M88-2 (11,250 to 17,000 lb of thrust) is a very compact powerplant, offering a high thrust-to-weight ratio and exceptional controllability, especially during acceleration.
In order to further reduce specific fuel consumption and increase the service life of the engine's critical parts (high-pressure core and afterburner), Snecma Moteurs has developed a new version of the M88-2, called the M88-2E4. This new version offers improved fuel consumption (2 to 4 % lower than the M88-2E1). By 2005 all M-88 engines deployed in France will comply with this new standard.
The M88-2E4 was designed from the outset for high dispatch reliability, along with easy maintainability and lower operating costs, to reduce the overall cost of ownership.
The first and most important sensor of RAFALE is obviously its new generation Thales RBE2 radar.
However, in those circumstances when absolute discretion is the most relevant factor, RAFALE can rely on several other sensor systems :
1. The front-sector optronics (OSF), developed by Thales, is completely integrated within the aircraft and can operate both in the visible and infrared wavelengths.
2. The SPECTRA electronic warfare system, jointly developed by Thales and MBDA, provides the aircraft with the highest survivability assets against airborne and ground threats.
3. The real-time data link allowing communication not only with other aircraft, but also with fixed and mobile command and control centres.
4. For those missions requesting the use of it, RAFALE can also rely on the Damocles optronic/laser designation pod.
The mere addition of these sensors has no exceptional significance, as it has already been implemented on several combat aircraft. What makes the essential difference with RAFALE is the cross fertilization process between all those sensors, the continuous fusion of the data they provide, their analysis and their synthesis allowing to transform the pilot into a true tactical decider, instead of a simple systems operator. It is the essence of the multisensor data fusion concept implemented aboard RAFALE.
The core of the enhanced capabilities of the RAFALE lies in a new Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU). It is composed of up to 18 flight line-replaceable modules, each with a processing power 50 times higher than that of the 2084 XRI type computer fitted on the early versions of Mirage 2000-5.
The MDPU, which is composed of commercial-off-the-shelf elements, is the cornerstone of the avionics/weapon upgradeability of the RAFALE. Thanks to its modular architecture, the system is highly adaptable, and new avionics and new ordnance now under development can be easily integrated. Enough growth potential has been built into the RAFALE to ensure that the design has warfighting relevance beyond 2030.
Sensor data fusion provides a link between the global battlespace surrounding the aircraft and the pilot's brain with its unique ability to grasp the outcome of tactical situations and make sensible decisions. It hinges on the computing power of the MDPU to process data from the RBE2 ESA radar, the front sector optronic system, the SPECTRA EW system, the IFF and the data-link (L16 or custom).
Well yes it is quiet a good performance but it certainly took place at an Angle of Attack forbiding landing, normal aproach speed is about 120 kt.
I was just throwing some random ideas around but if i was piloting that thing i am pretty sure i could land it on a heli pad
and thanks for the link, that was an interesting read and its a pity our airforce couldn't go for it because of the budget restraints caused by the war on terror and then the massive earthquake but no wonder still many of our folks in the air force hope that once things settle down they will get another shot and bring it home
Minimising the RCS has also been a design driver in order to make stealth tactics possible. Most of the stealth design features are classified but some of them are clearly visible such as the serrated patterns on the trailing edges of the wings and canards.
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LOL
@elvesninja: landing on a helipad would be close to impossible for a Rafale. Even if it was possible, it would be so risky for the pilot that doing it 10 times in a row would simply not happen.
When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.
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= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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Eric
Minimising the RCS has also been a design driver in order to make stealth tactics possible. Most of the stealth design features are classified but some of them are clearly visible such as the serrated patterns on the trailing edges of the wings and canards.
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LOL
could you elaborate ? for example by giving us the list of air forces that train and practice for stealth and passive tactics ?
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The Unit kt (15kt) kt is normaly airspeed indicated (or calibrated/corected depending on altitude/Mach in which case it is CAS or Equivalent air speed EAS = Mach measurement).
It is very unlikely that it would be given in "landspeed" as it is not a standard aviation or naval unit and was most probably true airspeed.
Land speed would be given in US land miles and would not be used for instrumented flight-testing in the west, the Russian uses metrics instead of Nautical Miles and Feets.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 28, 2009 10:55 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 28, 2009 12:46 AM This message has been edited by sampaix on Sep 28, 2009 12:45 AM
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Thales’s RBE2 AESA radar successfully completes new series of tests
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September 28 2009, 12:37 PM
Thaless RBE2 AESA radar successfully completes new series of tests
22 April 2009
Thales announced today that its RBE2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has successfully completed a new series of tests on the Rafale at the Cazaux flight test centre in Southwest France from February to March. These tests, carried out jointly by Thales and the French defence procurement agency (DGA), provided functional validation of the radars operating modes.
This milestone marks the latest step towards qualifying the RBE2 AESA radars this year in readiness for delivery of the first two units to Dassault Aviation during the first quarter of 2010. The radars will be installed on the aircraft in 2011 for delivery to the French Air Force early in 2012.
The successful tests are the latest in a long line of key milestones. Thales began developing an AESA radar demonstrator in the 1990s and conducted exploratory tests at the flight test centre in 2002 and 2003 to refine the concept. In 2004, the French defence procurement agency DGA backed the project with a contract to develop a prototype of an operational active-module radar.
At the end of 2006, Thales completed its first active phased array, comprising some 1,000 gallium-arsenide T/R modules manufactured by European firm United Monolithic Semiconductors (UMS).
The active phased array, which replaces the passive array in the RBE2 currently operating on the Rafale, offers many advantages:
- range extended by over 50% for future compatibility with new weapon systems like Meteor
- higher module reliability for reduced cost of ownership (no array overhaul required for 10 years)
- waveform agility for high-resolution synthetic aperture (SAR) imagery in air-to-ground mode and better resistance to jamming.
Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, Senior Vice President in charge of Thales's Aerospace Solutions for Governments Sector, commented on the achievement of this new milestone: "The success of this latest series of tests on the RBE2 AESA radar consolidates Thales's European leadership position. Moreover, it will help to affirm the Rafale's technological superiority as the omnirole aircraft performs flight demonstrations for potential export customers, confirming its excellent performance as it has recently in Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates."
http://www.thalesgroup.com/Press_Releases/Thales%E2%80%99s_RBE2_AESA_radar_successfully_completes_new_series_of_tests/
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
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even though sometimes thunder is blindly anti pakistan but in my books (WAFF) thunder knows his topic and does his home work very well... alot of things you can learn from him..
____________________________________________
"Anti indian, the raja of the jungle!!"
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"antiindian)
even though sometimes thunder is blindly anti pakistan but in my books"
Not necessarly, it depends on WHICH pakistanese or Turkish or even Greek for that matter, whoever or wherever from.
YOU ask politely a question, don't flame the topic, I behave normaly and see no reason to do otherwise, it is not Pakistan the problem it is the behavior of some people.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
Look at these and see the pattern in leopardus's flaming.
Twice a day, every day for the past several weeks, the sky over Dushanbe has echoed to the combined roar of Snecma M53 and M88 engines on French fighters taking off on missions to neighboring Afghanistan
Though French forces have been present in Tajikistan for five years now in support of operation Enduring Freedom, the same is not true of the French Air Force Rafales which deployed to this theater for the first time in mid-March 2007, shortly before the first days of spring. In this part of the world, spring is the occasion for the festival of Nowruz marking the Persian New Year, the start of a new cycle joyously celebrated by millions of families across a large portion of Central Asia.
This year the new flagship fighter of the French Air Force, the omnirole F2 standard Rafale is making its official debut in an external theater of operations, along with its naval sister operating off the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean.
Altogether, six F2 Rafales are operationally involved in Central Asia to validate the new fighter: three single-seat Navy Rafale M/F2s (12F squadron) from the carrier and three twin-seat Air Force Rafale B/F2s (1/7 fighter squadron) fromDushanbe International Airport.
FIRST AIR DETACHMENT
Sincemid-March 2007, three Rafale Bs from1/7 fighter squadron Provence have been present to reinforce the Serpentaire deployment to Tajikistan, a deployment that has now become permanent. For five years now, the Serpentaire unit, essentially comprising three Mirage 2000D fighter-bombers from Air Base 133 at Nancy-Ochey (reinforced by three Mirage F1CR reconnaissance aircraft from Air Base 112 at Reims on a seasonal basis), has contributed to close air support missions for allied forces engaged in operations against Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Though theMirage 2000Ds have consistently fulfilled this mission from the outset, initially from Manas in Kyrgyzstan then from Dushanbe in Tajikistan, the arrival of the first Rafale B/F2s will give extra force to French strikes.Where theMirage 2000D can carry two 250kg GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, the Rafale can carry four or, if necessary, six. After a technical stopover at Air Detachment 188 in Djibouti, the three Rafale B/F2s (aircraft nos. 312, 314 and 318) from 1/7 fighter squadron Provence at Air Base 113, Saint-Dizier, touched down in Central Asia at Dushanbe on 12March 2007. Two days later, one of the aircraft performed its first operational flight over Afghan territory armed with four GBU-12 bombs as part of a four-hour mission. A few days later, on 28 March, a Rafale M/F2 from 12F squadron, operating from the Charles-de-Gaulle carrier, became the first omnirole F2 Rafale to drop bombs in combat. The operation was designed to relieve Dutch troops under attack by Taliban fighters. On 1 April, a Rafale B/F2 from 1/7 squadron fired a GBU-12 against an enemy target a cave in the Helmand region believed to contain Taliban fighters. The two operations marked the real baptism of fire for the new Rafale F2.
In Afghanistan, the Mirage 2000Ds and Rafales are part of a NATO coalition force comprising a total of 60 fighter-bombers US OA-10s and F-15Es, UK Harrier GR.7s and 9s, NATO F-16s and German Tornados, all based directly in the theater of operations at Bagram, Kabul, Kandahar andMazar-e Sharif, plus US and French naval aviation operating from international waters off the coast of Pakistan. And this does not include the B-1B bombers flying 20- hour missions from the Chagos archipelago further south in the Indian Ocean. Operating under the control of US Central Command based at Al Udeid, Qatar, all the missions flown by the air component of ISAF/OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) are planned with a high degree of reactivity in order to ensure as far as possible immediate support for land forces engaged against the Taliban as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), as well as special forces and the Afghan National Army (ANA). Aircraft operating as part of the Serpentaire unit operate under French control (RepFrance Air) from a center now installed in Kabul, following a period when it was located on the US base at Bagram.
This is the highest French authority in theater for all aspects of air operations, without whose approval no French strike can go ahead.
Allied troops currently deployed to the Afghan theater comprise almost 40,000 men (and women) fromalmost 30 nations. To thismust be added a further 8,000 low-profile US troops under British command. At the present time, NATO represents a key component of the international communitys commitment to Afghanistan. It directly assists the Afghan authorities in establishing security and stability in order perhaps to open the way one day to reconstruction and effective governance of the country. The mission, however, is complicated by the presence in the countrys mountainous eastern region of Islamic fighters who have infiltrated the region from Pakistan and whose sole objective is to continue the struggle against the government in Kabul that started back in the Soviet era more than three decades ago, and restore the Taliban emirate that was overturned in the fall of 2001, if need be by controlling all kinds of trading in illegal goods, the most problematic of which is heroine, since it constitutes the foundation for a whole parallel economy that many cultivators depend on for survival.
In theater, the Rafales for now are flying only daylightmissions, accompanied by a Mirage 2000D charged with identification and laser illumination of targets should the use of force become necessary. Refueled by Boeing C-135 tankers from GRV 0/93 Bretagne or by NATO tankers, these aircraft provide air support for ISAF and NATO forces on a daily basis. Together with the Mirages, the Rafales provide presence, show of force or close air support. With its ability to carry six GBU-12-type laser-guided bombs and its superior range compared with the Mirage 2000D, the Rafale F2 supplies real added value to the Serpentaire air component. It also ensures a significant increase in firepower and range, and in loiter time, if needed.
RAFALE AND LASER-GUIDED BOMBS
The first Rafale F2s deployed by the French Air Force in theater are two-seaters, a version that is currently operated only by the French Air Force. Four complete 1/7 squadron crews are present in Dushanbe, along with around 40 mechanics. In the opinion of Lieutenant Colonel Louis Pena, who heads the Serpentaire unit in Dushanbe, the advantage of a two-seat fighter for air-to-ground missions is beyond dispute. Having been amply validated on the Mirage 2000D in the Balkans, the two-seat solution is ideal for extended missions, where two pairs of eyes are better than one. The same solution has been adopted by the Americans on their F-15E Strike Eagles, F-18D Hornets and F-18F Super Hornets which are also being used extensively in the Afghan theater. Deprived of its own autonomous target designation capability for another two years, the Rafale will eventually, some time before 2010, be equipped with the Thales Damocles laser designator, which will be a standard feature of the F3 version. Nonetheless, according to Lt Col Pena, within the context of the Serpentaire operation, the Rafale and Mirage come together to form a real team, with the systems of each aircraft forming an ideal complement to the other to fulfill the mission.
Thanks to the forward sector optronics (FSO), the RBE2 radar, the SPECTRA system and Link 16, the Rafale manages inflight security for the patrol and provides all necessary information up the moment the strike is launched, a decision that is made in liaison with Forward Air Controllers alongside the troops on the ground. Permanently updated via the tactical data link, the information available to the patrol removes any ambiguity about the target to be attacked as a function of the squares notified on the Air Tasking Order, an operation that is also confirmed by visual identification using the Atlis II pod on the Mirage 2000D or simply with binoculars.
Based on experience over Afghan territory, where targets can be hard to find and identify due to the generally mountainous terrain and the variations caused by changing light conditions, French crews have acquired the habit of taking along a pair of stabilized, high-magnification Navy binoculars, which the navigator in the back seat uses to keep a close watch on the ground during extended patrols. This empirical means of observation has proved to be a valuable asset on several occasions, with the wide field of view visual observation providing a useful complement to the narrow field of view available to the Atlis II pod operator on the Mirage 2000D, particularly in avoiding the risk of collateral damage before launching a GBU-12. In view of past occasions when coalition aircraft, mostly American, have inadvertently hit civilian targets or even friendly forces, for several months now crews have had a list of around 2,000 no-strike sites. Close air support operations always performed in constant encrypted radio contact with the forward air controllers are generally conducted from an altitude that places the Rafales and Mirages out of range of the various portable air defense systems that are assumed to be present in the Afghan theater. In reality these constitute the sole threat, in the form of ex-Soviet two- and four-barrel 23mm systems which are still scattered all over the country. Underlining the absence of any air-to-air threat, the Rafales in Afghanistan fly without Mica missiles, a welcome reduction in load on an aircraft that is already carrying more than 10 tons of fuel and bombs at the start of each mission.
The new ability to launch laser-guided bombs GBU-12 Paveway II and GBU-22 Paveway III initially planned for 2008-2009 on the Rafale, was brought forward specifically for the deployment to Afghanistan and was achieved in record time. The accomplishment is to be credited above all to the CEAMtest center inMont-de-Marsan and the French Navy CEPA test center. The qualification campaign was pursued relentlessly all through the winter, over a period of four months, practically seven days a week, while acceptance trials were being performed on new Rafales that had come off the Bordeaux- Mérignac production line and while pilots and ground crews recently transferred to the squadron were undergoing conversion training at Air Base 113, Saint Dizier. It culminated in a firing campaign performed at the end of February from Air Base 120, Cazaux, a campaign that qualified the 1/7 squadron crews prior to their deployment to the Afghan theater. All went smoothly, thanks to the fact that the Rafaut AT730 three-bomb rack designed for the AASM weapon already qualified for the Rafale, can accommodate the GBU-12/22 without any modification. Also because the Rafale weapons system, managed by theMDPU central processing unit, can adapt to any configuration required by the user by automatically modifying the Rafales load distribution according to the weapons load. Apart from the autonomous firing capability, currently covered by the Rafale-Mirage combination, the only capability that the Rafale B/F2 crews from1/7 squadron currently really miss is the 30mm Nexter 30M791 cannon that was initially planned. Delayed apparently for budgetary, rather than technical, reasons, the integration of the cannon, according to pilots we spoke to in Dushanbe, would offer the advantage of allowing a show of force that would have a greater psychological impact on rebels on foot or in 4WD vehicles, as was amply shown by FrenchMirage F1s in Africa, where a simple warning volley was enough to stop an enemy advance. A necessary intermediate degree between the 250kg bomb and nothing! In spite of that, the men in the Serpentaire unit are very happy to have the Rafale for their combat missions, an aircraft whose mission readiness, in spite of the Spartan conditions at the DétAir Base, has proved to be very good, close to 100%. No major failures have been reported on systems or engines, and minor issues have been resolved on the same day. For this reason, Lt Col Pena, who is a former Mirage 2000D pilot, is very happy with the Rafale and the plus that it brings to operations in the Afghan theater: The aircraft is reliable and performs itsmission well. That bodes well for the French Air Force and what it can expect from the ultimate, F3 version of the Rafale. The Rafales of 1/7 squadron are scheduled to remain in Tajikistan until the end of summer 2007, and the four crews will be relieved every two months. A subsequent deployment could see the arrival of three single-seat Rafale C/F2s from 1/7 squadron in order to test the capabilities of the single-seater alongside a Mirage 2000D crew. It is clear that, for the French Air Force, the operational philosophy of the Rafale is still open, and much remains to be done or to be discovered.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
Look at these and see the pattern in leopardus's flaming.
= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.
= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
http://www.bushywood.com/mythomania.htm
Look at these and see the pattern in leopardus's flaming.
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