France Qualifies Multirole F3 RafaleMichael A. Taverna
PARIS –The French air force has qualified the Rafale F3 multirole standard, which will give the fighter a naval attack, reconnaissance and nuclear attack capability.
The first aircraft built to F3 standard will be delivered in early 2009, although not all of the associated weapon systems – AM39 antiship missile, Reco NG pod and ASMPA nuclear cruise missile – will necessarily be ready by then.
Rafales already in service will be retrofitted to F3 standard. In most cases, this will involve a simple software upgrade, but early model F1 standard naval aircraft will have to undergo hardware changes as well.
Rafale F2 strike aircraft have been in the inventory since 2006 and already have been in service in Afghanistan. This spring, the aircraft fired its AASM precision strike weapon in action for the first time. Damocles designator pods to guide AASM strikes also will be added as part of the F3 standard.
Photo: Dassault Aviation
Source
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/RAFALE070808.xml&headline=France%20Qualifies%20Multirole%20F3%20Rafale
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