On board the Rafale - Thales Group

On board the Rafalewww.thalesgroup.com

Thales is very proud to be on board the Rafale and to have worked alongside Dassault and other industrybodies to tailor the very latest technological innovations to meet the needs of this superior aircraft.Omnirole FighterThe Rafale is the most advanced combat aircraft ofits generation, delivering multi-mission capability thatensures its war fighting relevance beyond 2040. Thishighly agile fighter from Dassault Aviation is equippedwith cutting edge technologies that make it fast deploying,self-supporting and combat effective. The Rafale draws onsophisticated on board electronic systems to carry out awide range of missions day or night and in all weatherconditions.Thales provides equipment and systems – includingavionics – that together account for about 25% of the totalvalue of each Rafale. The Rafale is integrated with thelargest and most modern range of sensors by means ofthe multi-sensor data fusion concept that allows the pilotto achieve global situation awareness and make wellinformedtactical decisions. This data fusion process linksall sensors via the Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU)to make the Rafale a truly network centric warfighter.This multi-sensor capability draws on the Active ElectronicScanning Antenna RBE2 Radar, Spectra electronicwarfare system, Front-Sector Optronics, and advancedcommunication systems.DetectionASEA RBE2The largest sensor on board the Rafale is the new generationThales AESA RBE2 radar. The RBE2, Europe’s first ActiveElectronically Scanned Array radar, takes combat systemperformance to a new level.antenna can steer the radar beam at speeds of anelectronic chip. This is called ‘electronic scanning inspace’ and effectively allows the radar to overcome themechanical constraints of steering a single antenna.It also allows the radar to track multiple targetssimultaneously in all directions.The active antenna thus replaces the conventionalantenna and its mechanical steering system, along withthe radar transmitter and the first stage of signal reception.In operational terms, the AESA RBE2 radar can track alltargets in radar field of view irrespective of the relativelocation between targets and/or the host aircraft. Inaddition, it allows a significant increase in detectionrange on enemy aircraft and a significant increase inreliability with respect to previous-generation radarsIn air-to-air mode, greater range makes it possible todetect smaller targets and detect them earlier. Sincethe antenna comprises such a large number of activemodules, the failure of some of these modules hasno noticeable effect on the overall performance andreliability of the system.Consequently, the active front end only requiresmaintenance every 10 years or more, therebycontributing to increased aircraft availability andreducing replacement part costs.Lastly, the use of active antennas opens new horizons interms of future radar functionality — particularly in theareas of jam resistance, detection of land vehicles andslow-moving aircraft and enhanced synthetic apertureradar (SAR) imagery.In a radar, an antenna is said to be ‘active’ when it hasa single subassembly for amplification of radiated powerand pre-amplification of received power. This is achievedby the antenna front end, which comprises an array ofseveral hundred transmit/receive modules (T/R modules).By controlling each T/R module individually, the active2

In February 2012, Thales delivered the first seriesproducedRBE2 radar with active electronicallyscanned array (AESA) to Dassault.In October 2012, Dassault Aviation and Thalescomplete delivery of France's Rafale C137, thefirst European combat aircraft equipped with anactive phased array radar.The Rafale has now become the only Europeancombat aircraft to benefit from the operationaladvantages of AESA radar technology.Front-Sector OptronicsThales’s Front-Sector Optronics (FSO) system is fullyintegrated into the Rafale to provide covert long-rangedetection and identification, high-resolution angulartracking and laser range-finding for air, sea and groundtargets. Operating in optical wavelengths, this sensor isimmune to radar jamming.The FSO contributes to air situation awareness andreinforces the Rafale’s capabilities to operate in severeenvironments. Lasers for measuring target distance givethe sensor high-precision 3D localisation capabilities. Itsnear-visible waveband capability is especially valuablewith its narrow field for identifying possible targets insituations where visual contact is required by the Rules ofEngagement or during quick reaction alerts.Electronic WarfareSpectraThe Rafale is equipped with the Spectra electronic warfaresystem, giving the aircraft a multi-spectral threat warningcapability against hostile radars, missiles and lasers.This system is fully integrated into the Rafale for excellentsurvivability against air and ground threats.Spectra also contributes to passive tactical situationawareness, all-weather long-range detection, identificationand location of threats, within a short response time. Thesystem’s cutting-edge defensive measures are based oncombinations of omni-directional AESA jamming, multibanddecoying and evasive manoeuvres, as well ason state-of-the-art technologies such as Digital RadioFrequency Memory (DRFM) signal processing.Spectra’s angular location on the aircraft allows it tolocate ground threats, to target them for destruction withprecision-guided munitions, or to avoid them. Its threatlibrary – which can be defined, integrated and updated onshort notice by users in the home country – is instrumentalto this performance. As operations unfold, protection onboard the Rafale can be continuously and fluidly enhancedusing the system.Mission SystemsModular Data Processing Unit (MDPU)Enough growth potential has been built into the Rafaleto ensure that its design maintains warfighting relevancefor several decades. The Modular Data Processing Unit(MDPU) is the cornerstone of this avionics/ weaponupgradeability. Its modular architecture makes for asystem that is highly adaptable, allowing straightforwardintegration of new avionics or new ordnance.threat library – which can be defined, integrated andupdated on short notice by users in the home country – isinstrumental to this performance. As operations unfold,protection on board the Rafale can be continuouslyand fluidly enhanced using the system.Sensor data fusion draws on the computing power ofthe MDPU to process data from the AESA RBE2 radar,the Front-Sector Optronic system, the SPECTRA system,the IFF, the missile seekers and the data-link (L16 orcustom).Damocles Optronic PodThe Thales Damocles multifunction targeting poddraws on its laser designation function to give the Rafalefull day and night laser-guided weapon capabilities.Damocles is interoperable with all existing laser-guidedweapons and provides outstanding performances forlong-distance recognition.Sensor data fusion draws on the computing power of theMDPU to process data from the AESA RBE2 radar, theFront-Sector Optronic system, the SPECTRA system, theIFF, the missile seekers and the data-link (L16 or custom).AREOS systemThe AREOS Reco NG (Airborne and Reconnaissanceand Observation) system is designed to meet a fullspectrum of global operational requirements on boardthe Rafale and withstand diverse weather conditions andscenarios. This pod integrates state-of-the-art digitaltechnology both in its sensor and detector solutions,and its real/deferred time transmission capability.AREOS reduces cycle times for detection, decision andaction so as to more quickly meet evolving missiondemands. AREOS’s operational automatic imagerycollection modes allow it to be easily integrated ontosingle seat aircraft, such as the Rafale.Mission debriefing systemThales supplies the mission debriefing system on boardthe Rafale. This system simultaneously displays theaircraft’s trajectories in two- and three-dimensions viaeight video displays and one audio emitter.It also depicts the movements and whereabouts ofother aircraft involved in the same mission, as well asof air-to-air missiles fired. The mission debriefing is inservice with the French Air Force.3

Communication, Navigation,IdentificationCNI suiteThales provides the full Communication, Navigation,Identification (CNI) suite – including voice communications,Tactical Data Link, landing and en- route navigation(Radalt, TACAN & MMR) as well as Identification Friendand Foe (IFF) functions – on board the Rafale. The digitalradio transceivers allow the Rafale to manage plain voice,secure voice, data link and image transmission modes forAir-to-Air and Air-to-Surface communications in VHF andUHF bands.Tactical Data LinkThales has developed a complete range of Tactical DataLink (TDL) solutions. On board the Rafale, these solutionsoffer a secure source of tactical data, including situationawareness, command & control, electronic warfare, ordersand reports, flight pass and fighter-to-fighter information.Among other key players in combined air operations, thisdata is used with fellow aircraft in the formation, airborneand surface command and control centres, forward aircontrollers, etc.Identification Friend-or-Foe Combined InterrogatorTranspondersThales BlueGate TSB 2500 IFF is a family of CombinedInterrogator Transponders that are fully compliant with civil(including mode S), NATO (including mode 4/5) and/ornational secure modes (NSM). The Rafale is equipped withan E-Scan version, which includes an Antenna ControlUnit (ACU) for electronically steering the antenna.CockpitThales supplies Dassault with most of the displays for thecockpit. For short-term actions, the Rafale pilot relies on theholographic head-up display (HUD), with a wide-field-ofview(30°x22°), for head-up flying. For medium and longtermactions, the multi-image head-level display (HLD)allows analysis of the global tactical situation through its20°x20° screen. The HLD picture is focused at the samedistance as the HUD picture to allow for fast eye transitionsbetween head-up and head-level flying and the externalworld view.Electrical SystemsThales is a world reference for variable frequencypower generation and has integrated this technologyon board the Rafale to reduce the aircraft’s weight andmaintenance costs.Variable frequency technology is characterised bybetter efficiency than constant frequency technologytraditionally used on aircraft. The system takesmechanical power from the engine of the aircraft andtransforms it into electricity to power systems on board,such as the Rafale’s electrical flight control systems.Training & SimulationThales, Sogitec and Dassault Aviation have togethersuccessfully developed two pilot training centres tosupport the training of Rafale fighter pilots.The French Air Force and Navy rely on the Saint-DizierRafale simulation centre in Eastern France to train pilotsfor this prestigious aircraft and in 2009 added a secondRafale simulation centre at the Landivisiau naval airbase in North-western France. The two simulationcentres will soon be networked so they can carry outjoint training missions.The simulator cockpits recreate a realistic environmentfor the pilot. Rafale pilots can perform individualor crew missions in a complex tactical environmentincluding aerial combat using data link (L16), groundattack, in-flight refuelling, aircraft carrier launches,deck landings and taking into account the evolution ofweather conditions.SupportThales also provides services for the Rafale thusreducing life cycle costs for the aircraft and ensuring thateach system on board remains efficient and effective.Thales’s long life and easy through-life support isforged through its world-class ILS (Integrated LogisticSupport), obsolescence management, supply chainoptimisation, as well as rapid repair and overhaul.The Rafale has performed extremely wellin NATO operations over Afghanistan andLibya where it has been deployed withcoalition-allied forces.Press ContactThales, Media Relations - Defence AerospaceEmmanuelle Le Folemmanuelle.lefol@thalesgroup.comTel: +33 (0)6 82 65 64 344