Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar for Indian Rafale

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Neuilly-sur-Seine – In February, Thales delivered the first series-produced RBE2 radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) to the Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac, France. The radar will now be installed on Rafale C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is scheduled for delivery to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) this summer. A comprehensive three-month flight test programme conducted with the first production RBE2 AESA radar at the Istres air base demonstrated the qualities of the radar and confirmed the expected levels of performance prior to delivery to Dassault Aviation.

The RBE2 AESA radar was delivered in line with the contract schedule, demonstrating the new radar’s technological maturity and further consolidating Thales’s European leadership in radars for combat aircraft.

The RBE2 AESA will give the Rafale a number of key advantages:

•Extended range for full compatibility with the latest-generation long-range missiles, such as the Meteor, combined with the ability to detect low-observable targets

•Higher reliability for reduced cost of ownership (no major maintenance is required on the active array for 10 years)

•Waveform agility for high-resolution synthetic aperture (SAR) imagery and increased resistance to jamming

The Rafale will be the only European combat aircraft under full-scale production with an active-array radar. The operational superiority of this omnirole combat aircraft, which was demonstrated most recently during Operation Harmattan in Libya, is now further assured for the full spectrum of French Air Force and Navy missions relying on the new technology.

 

[nomi007]

what is the progress of mmrca ?when will indian get 1st rafale

 

[illusion8]

what is the progress of mmrca ?when will indian get 1st rafale

As yet price negotiations are on, the first one to land would be 2014...i guess.

 

[Abingdonboy]

+deal will be signed FY 2012 for sure. Contract stipulates first full SQD within 36 months but Dassualt are probobly able/willing to fasrt track first SQD so maybe within 24-30 months of signing.

 

[DANGER-ZONE]

Neuilly-sur-Seine – In February, Thales delivered the first series-produced RBE2 radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) to the Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac, France. The radar will now be installed on Rafale C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is scheduled for delivery to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) this summer. A comprehensive three-month flight test programme conducted with the first production RBE2 AESA radar at the Istres air base demonstrated the qualities of the radar and confirmed the expected levels of performance prior to delivery to Dassault Aviation.

The RBE2 AESA radar was delivered in line with the contract schedule, demonstrating the new radar’s technological maturity and further consolidating Thales’s European leadership in radars for combat aircraft.

The RBE2 AESA will give the Rafale a number of key advantages:

•Extended range for full compatibility with the latest-generation long-range missiles, such as the Meteor, combined with the ability to detect low-observable targets

•Higher reliability for reduced cost of ownership (no major maintenance is required on the active array for 10 years)

•Waveform agility for high-resolution synthetic aperture (SAR) imagery and increased resistance to jamming

The Rafale will be the only European combat aircraft under full-scale production with an active-array radar. The operational superiority of this omnirole combat aircraft, which was demonstrated most recently during Operation Harmattan in Libya, is now further assured for the full spectrum of French Air Force and Navy missions relying on the new technology.

What a misleading title
Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar for Indian Rafale

I suggest you to Read this article once more and try to find through Ctrl+F function to find INDIA written any where in the news.
Wait before that make sure that India has sign the contract for Rafale Fighter.
Why so hurry to count on RADAR earlier then the Fighter.

 

[Abingdonboy]

^^^ it's true this article has no mention of India. But even still is pertinent to India as this is the same radar IAF will get with their Rafales.

 

[westtowel]

How many TR moudles it has got

 

[SamantK]

This is a very old news..

 

[Boobytrap]

@all : There is no mention of India but the only apprehension which IAF had was, will it be developed on time in sync with delivery time... So that's been addressed.

And, this same piece of RBE-AESA may not be headed for IAF but we are assured of one that's what matters. And price negotiations are only a matter of time.

 

[Angad_NSA]

Its interesting that IAF has given green signal to something they have never touched and tested. On other hand, they killed LCA programme by refusing to deput an IAF officer at senior post in ADA for 14 years and that post is still vacant according to ex-IAF pilot who was part of LCA programme since its inception in 1990's.

Looking at how long IAF is taking in showing interest in AMCA, its clear they have no intention of taking AMCA in IAF's future. AMCA's design proposal has been delayed by IAF headquarter since 8 years now and probably, AMCA will be delayed by 4 years more, while some ex-IAF chief will cry about falling Mig-29, Mirage levels and push imports of over-expensive F-35.

Mark my words, IAF is repeating LCA blunder in AMCA now.

IAF = Imported Air Force.

Height of colonial mentality(love for imported toys).

 

[Boobytrap]

thats because doctrines are changing in fastly changing world... so are the doctrinal requirements thereby changing the requirements of the fighters.. AMCA is not being finalized since we don't know how formidable/shortcomings will be there in PAKFA..

IMO the MK-II of LCA will get FOC by the time PAKFA gets its IOC-I. So from there it wil be much more easier to iron out the design requirements of AMCA.

 

[Skull and Bones]

How many TR moudles it has got

1000, a newer version in developmental stage is said to have 1400 T/R modules.

 

[angeldemon_007]

Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar for Indian Rafale

Who the hell wrote this article ????? I meaN THE HEADLINE IS SHOWING THE radar is meant for the Rafale that will be for India while India has not yet finalized the MMRCA deal. On the other hand there is no ention of INDIA in the article...

The radar will now be installed on Rafale C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is scheduled for delivery to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) this summer.

While Headline says India. And if the article is actually talking about France and not INdia then this article is more than 4-5 months old....


@Major Shaitan Singh
Where is the source ??

 

[Great-M]

Its interesting that IAF has given green signal to something they have never touched and tested. On other hand, they killed LCA programme by refusing to deput an IAF officer at senior post in ADA for 14 years and that post is still vacant according to ex-IAF pilot who was part of LCA programme since its inception in 1990's.

Looking at how long IAF is taking in showing interest in AMCA, its clear they have no intention of taking AMCA in IAF's future. AMCA's design proposal has been delayed by IAF headquarter since 8 years now and probably, AMCA will be delayed by 4 years more, while some ex-IAF chief will cry about falling Mig-29, Mirage levels and push imports of over-expensive F-35.

Mark my words, IAF is repeating LCA blunder in AMCA now.

IAF = Imported Air Force.

Height of colonial mentality(love for imported toys).

Mate Rafale =/= LCA
Rafale's radar isn't IAF's responsibility. We buy it we will get get or money back. And only AESA radar wasn't tested. Rest of the aircraft and subsystems are tested in WAR and by IAF. So comparing LCA which is a mess in terms of planning and development. Ok I agree IAF changed its requirement alot of time cause tech is running ahead we have to keep up. If LCA mark 2 didn't materialise before 2015 there will be again change in requirement. LCA failed in IOC 2 in past
All it matters is reliable Platform and not sub systems. Subsystems can be developed or imported eg our MKIs
LCA is never denied clearance due to subsystems. It's about platform and it's shortcomings like over weight, AOA and w to t ratio
I am not against LCA but it is very slow on track. I personally think LCA mark 2 will be of MMRCA standards.
India will never buy F35. It's logical to buy more PAKFA than F35. Evenif F35 will be ready by 2015/16 completly the existing order will take 4/5 years to complete. So if India buy F35 we will get it from 2020/21.

 

[sancho]

Its interesting that IAF has given green signal to something they have never touched and tested. On other hand, they killed LCA programme by refusing to deput an IAF officer at senior post in ADA for 14 years and that post is still vacant according to ex-IAF pilot who was part of LCA programme since its inception in 1990's.

First of all, Rafale came with RBE 2 AESA radar to the trials in India and secondly, LCA's problems at the moment are development problems of certain techs, that are based at DRDO. So IAF had tested the radar and posting an IAF officer in ADA had not changed the issues during the development of Kaveri engine, or MMR.