Thales, DGA Test Radar for RafaleBy pierre tran
Published: 22 Apr 2009 14:15
PARIS - Thales and France's Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) procurement agency have completed a latest series of tests for the RBE2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the defense systems company announced April 22.
The tests were conducted on a Rafale strike fighter at the Cazaux flight test center in southwest France from February to March.
These trials were intended to provide "functional validation of the radar's operating modes," Thales said in a statement. "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 new radar is designed to boost range by more than 50 percent compared with the Rafale's current passive array radar, offering compatibility with the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile. The equipment also is intended to improve reliability; deliver high-resolution synthetic-aperture imagery in the air-to-ground mode; and be more resistant to jamming.
The sensor is due to be fitted on the Rafale in 2011 for delivery to the French Air Force early in 2012, Thales said.
France hopes to sell the Rafale to Brazil, Libya, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
Source
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4052320&c=EUR&s=AIR
Back to Index
Move to Top 
