16 June 1999
Flight International
Thomson-CSF Detexis is demonstrating its RC400 airborne radar to potential export customers during the show at a military airbase near Paris. The French company is holding talks to undertake a test programme in a Mikoyan MiG-29.
The RC400 is aimed at the retrofit market in the hope of boosting business at a time when sales to the traditionally strong domestic military market are flat, says Thomson-CSFDetexis radar division commercial director Loic de la Bourdonnaye.
Thomson-CSFDetexis says that, in its most powerful form, the RC400 has only 20% less range than the RDY radar developed for the Mirage 2000-5 and -9, while weighing half as much, at around 115kg (250lb).
This configuration provides tracking of up to 24 targets, eight of which can be targeted simultaneously, with automatic prioritisation of four. The RC400's modularity enables it to be offered in less powerful versions, says de la Bourdonnaye.
The radar can track a 5m2 (55ft2) target in low-altitude/look-down mode at 100km (55nm) range, says the company, and air-to-ground ranging is possible down to a "few metres" accuracy. The RC400 is compatible with European and Russian beyond visual range missiles, says de la Bourdonnaye, adding: "We have shown it is compatible with the latest generation of Russian air-to-air missiles." A test programme with MiG-29 design bureau Mikoyan is planned.
Export possibilities identified by de la Bourdonnaye include older aircraft such as the Northrop F-5 and Mikoyan MiG-21 and MiG-29/Sukhoi Su-27 operators which want to fire new generation air-to-air missiles. Advanced trainer/ light attack aircraft such as the MiG-AT or South Korean KTX-2 may also be candidates.
Thomson-CSFDetexis is aiming at a possible French air force requirement to retrofit older Mirage 2000DAs to enable them to fire the Mica air-to-air missile.
