Zoom on the active antenna radar, new Rafale eyesight
You announced in early October: the Air Force received its first Rafale equipped as standard with latest radar designed by Thales. Thanks to him, the pilot benchmark targets smaller and faster. In what ways? In what ways? Explanations.
Registered C137, the first Rafale equipped as standard with an active antenna radar tells joined airbase Mont-de-Marsan (Landes). The French fighter becomes the first European aircraft to benefit from such technology.
In principle, this new radar - located in the nose of the aircraft - is able to scan an area of ​​research more efficiently, emitting a beam able to jump quickly from one direction to another. For this, the electronic architecture is radically different from the previous one.
"In the new radar, the antenna is formed by hundreds of mini antennas. Each of these mini-modules transmitters / receivers is more finely controlled electronically, which orients the global beam in the desired direction without any mechanical movement. Such flexibility allows to identify a larger number of targets in the field of research pilot almost instantly, "says Bruno Carrara, Rafale program manager at Thales .
According to the designer, the performance gains are significant and allow the pilot to more effectively achieve its mission. "With this architecture, the power of the radar is improved. This results in an increased range of 50%. Rafale can detect target farther or for the same distance see smaller targets, "said the head of Thales.
MORE ROBUST AND LESS EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN
Typically, in the context of an intercept mission, a pilot can "see" the enemy aircraft from 10 to 20 seconds earlier than before. Seconds worth of gold when we know that the approach speed between two devices is of the order of 1 km / sec and a fight rarely exceeds a minute.
Another important advantage for the portfolio of military radar is more robust and would be less expensive to maintain. The failure of some antennas does not in fact operate the equipment. Thus, the expected failure rate of active antenna radar could be up to 10 times lower than the previous radars.
This technological marvel is the result of a long R & D effort led by Thales. "Early prototyping of new radar began in 2002. Mobilized This development, according to the phases, from 100 to 200 engineers over a decade" says Bruno Carrara.
Finally, for the Rafale, which includes Dassault Aviation , Thales and the engine Safran , this new equipment is an additional chance to sell fighter French abroad. Only U.S. competitors have mastered this technology.
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