French Rafale M fighter jet performs first mid-air refueling with NARANG pod for future missions.

On November 28, 2024, the French Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) announced that it had conducted tests to evaluate the NARANG (Nacelle de Ravitaillement Nouvelle Génération - New Generation Refueling Pod) refueling pod on the Rafale M fighter jet. These trials involved the Rafale M naval fighter refueling an Airbus A400M in-flight, which served as a surrogate for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The tests aimed to verify the compatibility of the NARANG pod with the lower speeds typical of the turboprop-powered E-2D.
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This refueling operation marks the first instance of a Rafale M fighter jet refueling an A400M mid-air. (Picture source: French MoD)

The NARANG (Nacelle de Ravitaillement Nouvelle Génération - New Generation Refueling Pod), developed by Safran, can transfer fuel at rates between 750 and 1,000 liters per minute, compared to 530 liters per minute for the earlier model. This system, integrated into the Rafale F3-R standard, includes diagnostic and maintenance features such as self-tests and fault detection systems. These functionalities are intended to improve operational efficiency and reliability. The pod is powered by a small propeller at its front, which generates energy for the fuel pumps as the aircraft flies. The performance of the pod at lower speeds, a critical factor for refueling slower aircraft like the E-2D, was a primary focus of the tests.

France currently operates three E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. In 2020, the French Ministry of Armed Forces approved the acquisition of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, with delivery scheduled for 2027. Unlike the E-2C, the E-2D is equipped with an air-to-air refueling probe, enabling extended operational range. The new variant also features upgraded radar and communication systems.

The A400M used in these trials simulated the speed and characteristics of the E-2D to assess the Rafale’s ability to perform refueling at lower speeds. The operation required adjustments to stabilize the refueling basket and ensure the aerodynamic propeller on the pod could operate the pumps effectively. The DGA has not disclosed specific results or metrics from the tests but released imagery indicating that the operation was conducted successfully.

The DGA had ordered 16 NARANG pods from Zodiac Aerotechnics, now part of Safran, in a project initiated in 2011. The pods were first delivered in 2019, and operational certification was achieved in January 2021. These pods are used exclusively with the Rafale M for buddy-refueling missions, referred to in France as "nounou" or "nanny" configuration. In this configuration, the Rafale M can deliver up to two tonnes of fuel at a range of 400 nautical miles from the carrier.

The tests aimed to ensure the Rafale M could safely refuel the E-2D in scenarios where fuel reserves are low, such as after extended missions. The French Navy plans to deploy the E-2D aboard the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. The introduction of air-to-air refueling capability in the E-2D is expected to enhance operational endurance and flexibility for the French Navy’s carrier air wing.

The Rafale M currently operates as a refueling platform for other Rafale aircraft, as well as for potential future operations involving the E-2D. The recent tests serve to confirm the readiness of the NARANG pod to support these operations under the required conditions, ensuring its capability aligns with the operational requirements of the future E-2D aircraft.