The French Navy "Flotille 11F" Naval Aviation Strike Fighter
Squadron, based in Landivisiau, Brittany, has taken delivery of its
first "Tranche 4" Rafale M (Rafale M40). According to the
French Navy, it is the first M variant (for Marine, Navy in French)
aircraft to be equipped with systems and equipment that substantially
improve its combat capabilities as well as its air defense missions
for the protection of national airspace. |
The
main improvement is the new Thales Radar à Balayage Electronique
2 (RBE2) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with LPI (low
probability of intercept) technology. Its detection range is substantially
extended, and provides the pilot with an improved situation awareness
for long-range combat as well as at very short ranges.
Several displays newly installed in the cockpit provide a better image
definition and the head-up display is more transparent.
Beside the RBE2 AESA, Tranche 4 aircraft also include F3 standard improvements
such as a new Thales SPECTRA self-defence system and Mode-5/Mode-S-compatible
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator/transponder capable
of identifying civilian and military aircraft at longer ranges.
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