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Defective Fuel Readings Led Pilot To Ditch Fighter Jet

PARIS - The Rafale F3 strike fighter that was ditched into the sea Nov. 28 off the Pakistan coast suffered from defective fuel information, the spokesman for the French Ministry of Defense said Dec. 2.

An initial debriefing of the pilot who ejected from the Rafale established that the defect created inaccurate fuel-level readings, spokesman Laurent Teisseire told journalists. A team from the accident inquiry board is on its way to the Charles de Gaulle carrier, from which the Navy Fleet Air Arm Rafale was operating.

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"An inquiry is underway," Teisseire said, adding that it is too early to say what were the technical causes behind the incident.

The Rafale was armed for a close air support mission and headed for the Afghan theater in a patrol with Super Etendard Moderrnisé aircraft.

The Rafale pilot was returning to the carrier to change aircraft when he was forced to eject and ditch the aircraft at 8 a.m. Paris time on Nov. 28. A helicopter picked up the pilot within 10 minutes of hitting the water. The pilot was unharmed.

The Super Etendard and Rafale between them have flown about 110 hours, just over half by Rafales, since the Charles de Gaulle arrived on station Nov. 25 to support ground troops in Afghanistan, said Army Col. Thierry Burkhard, the spokesman for the chief of the Defense Staff.

This is the first loss of a Rafale in operational deployment, and the fourth overall. The other three Rafales were lost under different circumstances while flown in training. The first accident, in December 2007, led to the death of the pilot. In the second accident, December 2009, two Rafales collided in midair. The accident enquiry reports have not yet been published.

President Nicolas Sarkozy is due to arrive in India on Dec. 4 for a two-day visit, accompanied by Defense Minister Alain Juppé. The visit is expected to promote the Rafale as a candidate in India's international competition for 126 medium multirole combat aircraft.

The Dassault Rafale is up against the Boeing F/A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16 and RAC MiG-35.

Wait a minute, the pilot ejected because of "inaccurate fuel-level readings", they should change his call sign to 'Major Dufus'
:lol:
 
Hmm...so you expect the pilot to continue flying when he is not sure how much fuel is left in the tank?

You certainly don't abandon a 70m$ plane due to a defective gauge.
Typically, you pull the chord (eject) only when you've lost power in both engines - zero fuel. Until such, you increase altitude,radio for help and the carrier sends assistance.

Plus, it's easy enough to estimate the amount of fuel you have left using other instruments in addition the Rafale is capable of buddy refueling, another Rafale could have been quickly reconfigured as a tanker and vectored, this is fairly routine on board US carriers.

There is more to it than one faulty fuel gauge.
 
You certainly don't abandon a 70m$ plane due to a defective gauge.
Typical, you pull the chord (eject) only when you've lost power in both engines - zero fuel. Until such, you increase altitude,radio for help and the carrier sends assistance.

Plus, it's easy enough to estimate the amount of fuel you have left using other instruments in addition the Rafale is capable of buddy refueling, another Rafale could have been quickly reconfigured as a tanker and vectored, this is fairly routine on board US carriers.

There is more to it than one faulty fuel gauge.

May be there is some chance for other reason..

But can be an another Rafale act as a tanker?
 
May be there is some chance for other reason..

But can be an another Rafale act as a tanker?

yes all Rafales can be configured as a tanker.
 
Sweden 'tricked' in failed Norway Gripen bid

30584.jpg


Sweden was deceived by both the United States and Norway regarding the latter’s interest in signing a multi-billion kronor deal to buy Sweden's JAS Gripen fighter plane.

Citing US diplomatic cables recently released by WikiLeaks, the Aftonbladet newspaper reports that Norway’s supposed interest in the Gripen was just a show.

Norway ultimately decided to purchase the US-made Joint Strike Fighter/F-35 combat aircraft in a deal reportedly worth 55 billion kronor ($7.9 billion).


At the time, Norway's choice of the American plane over the Gripen angered a former Saab executive.

"We are really surprised about how this was handled, what happened yesterday, and about the justification," Jan Nygren, who served as Saab’s deputy CEO until two years prior to the decision, told the TT news agency at the time.

"And besides, we are just a tad surprised to say the least that they so unabashedly chose to criticize the Gripen, despite the fact that all of us involved know that the Gripen is a better fit for the functional demands laid out in the documentation included in the proposal request."

According to Aftonbladet, the United States threw a spanner in the works of the Gripen deal by stopping the export of an American-made radar component for use on the Swedish plane.:coffee:

The prelude to the snub included a 2008 meeting between Sweden’s defence minister Sten Tolgfors and the US ambassador at the time, Michael Wood.

During the meeting, Tolgfors asked for permission to buy the American-made Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system for the Gripen.

But documents released by WikiLeaks describe how the Americans worked to scuttle the Swedes’ radar request.

“We suggest that we delay the decision about the ASEA-permit for the Gripen until after Norway’s decision,” read one US diplomatic cable, according to Aftonbladet.:coffee:

The newspaper writes that the US embassy in Oslo also placed a “call for help” to Washington for assistance in putting high-level political pressure on Norway following negative reports about the F-35 in the Norwegian press.

After the call, prospects for the F-35 brightened; Norwegian politicians gave signals that made the United States confident its plane would win the Norwegian tender. But the Americans were careful not to claim that the aircraft purchase was a done deal before Norway announced its decision.

“We must continue to act like an honourable and elegant competitor,” read a cable from the US embassy in Oslo.

“We don’t offer reviews of WikiLeaks documents or embassy reports,” said Mikael Östlund, a spokesperson for Swedish defence minister Tolgfors, to the TT news agency.

TT/The Local/dl (news@thelocal.se)

Sweden 'tricked' in failed Norway Gripen bid - The Local

I don't see much wrong in this. Americans own the technology (AESA) and they can choose to give it or not esp when it concerns a competition from their own country and $7B.

reports that Norway’s supposed interest in the Gripen was just a show.

I am afraid once the MMRCA results are out in March 2011 some contenders may accuse India of a similar thing.
 
L-enquete-d-Europe-1-sur-la-disparition-d-un-Rafale-au-large-du-Pakistan.-930620_scalewidth_630.jpg



NFO E1 - The sequence of events that led to the disappearance of the aircraft near Pakistan.

A Burst, based on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle airport, crashed into the sea Sunday, off Pakistan. According to information gathered by Europe 1, a series of technical and human factors that would cause the crash. The pilot was unharmed but the body of the device lies between 2,500 and 3,000 meters at the bottom of the sea

The aircraft had taken off on a war mission, in support of ground troops deployed in Afghanistan. The pilot, a military veteran, would have seen less than ten minutes after taking off a warning light to signal an abnormal fuel, an incident that should never have led to the loss of the aircraft. But the pilot would have preferred a precautionary measure to end its mission and make a U-turn in the direction of Charles de Gaulle.

The additional tanks would not have been dropped

For some reason, the aircraft would not however been able to put down immediately. Since the procedure required before a landing, the pilot would be freed of much of its fuel, starting with additional content in the tanks, using a special button "dump". A quick drain caused by the opening of valves on the canisters, valves that are not designed to be closed after use. The fuel system of the aircraft becomes tight if we dropped the famous additional tanks, the pilot did not do.

But shortly after, malfunction or misinterpretation of data, the pilot would have finally realized that it was almost dry. As expected in this case, it would have received assistance from a "nanny", a Super Etendard used as in-flight refueling.

Except that the valves being left open, while kerosene would immediately transferred out of the plane up. Out of fuel and seeing its engines shut down, the pilot was left with no choice but to eject. It has been found safe and sound.

The acoustic beacon of the aircraft spotted?

An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of this accident which took place about ten miles from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. A team from the Accident Investigation Bureau is particularly air-defense come on site. Reportedly, the acoustic beacon Rafale was heard by one of two naval frigates Group.

This incident comes as France is still engaged in negotiations to sell abroad the Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation. The new French Defence Minister, Alain Juppe, had hoped last week of "good news" from Brazil where a contract for 36 aircraft is still on the table.



Comment un Rafale s'est abîmé en mer - Europe1.fr - France
 
I don't see much wrong in this. Americans own the technology (AESA) and they can choose to give it or not esp when it concerns a competition from their own country and $7B.



I am afraid once the MMRCA results are out in March 2011 some contenders may accuse India of a similar thing.

The Norway competition is an old one.Things have changed..

F-35 Lightning II Wins Dogfight in Norway
 
You certainly don't abandon a 70m$ plane due to a defective gauge.
Typically, you pull the chord (eject) only when you've lost power in both engines - zero fuel. Until such, you increase altitude,radio for help and the carrier sends assistance.

I am not sure that they are meant to wait till the engines completely seize. Altitude, yes, that is great indication and I am sure the pilot must have taken that into consideration.

Plus, it's easy enough to estimate the amount of fuel you have left using other instruments in addition the Rafale is capable of buddy refueling, another Rafale could have been quickly reconfigured as a tanker and vectored, this is fairly routine on board US carriers.

Buddy refueling, when you are not aware how much time (fuel) you have left? I am not so sure about that.

There is more to it than one faulty fuel gauge.

Likely, may be the report is not so accurate.
 
I'm a bit puzzled by this story, I thought Gripen's AESA was Italian made by Finmeccanica unit of Selex Galileo?

Now, but the Norway competition was long ago and in that time, not even the config of the Gipen NG Demonstrator was cleared. It first flew with the Thales RBE 2 AESA radar prototype, till Dassault (who is a share holder of Thales) pressured them to reject it, at least that is what is known from the French side. Saab said that they decided not to go with Thales and searched for another partner and interestingly they evaluated ELTA and their 2052 AESA radar, especially for the MMRCA competition. But according to Israeli reports, this time the US pressured ELTA not join with Saab, because it could effect the chances of US fighters in the competition.


May be there is some chance for other reason..

But can be an another Rafale act as a tanker?

Last 2 pics:
http://www.defence.pk/forums/682646-post1365.html
 
You certainly don't abandon a 70m$ plane due to a defective gauge.
Typically, you pull the chord (eject) only when you've lost power in both engines - zero fuel. Until such, you increase altitude,radio for help and the carrier sends assistance.

Plus, it's easy enough to estimate the amount of fuel you have left using other instruments in addition the Rafale is capable of buddy refueling, another Rafale could have been quickly reconfigured as a tanker and vectored, this is fairly routine on board US carriers.

There is more to it than one faulty fuel gauge.

logically makes sense... i also think there is some other issue because
the pilots will be dare devils and wont be that much scared to death
 
logically makes sense... i also think there is some other issue because
the pilots will be dare devils and wont be that much scared to death

Seems like a combination of pilot error and instrument fault.
Mistakes happen, I remember reading about an F-14 Tomcat that fell off the carrier into the ocean because it wasn't properly secured.



For some reason, the aircraft would not however been able to put down immediately. Since the procedure required before a landing, the pilot would be freed of much of its fuel, starting with additional content in the tanks, using a special button "dump". A quick drain caused by the opening of valves on the canisters, valves that are not designed to be closed after use

But this is definitely a design flaw..
 
Viewing cable 09BRASILIA634, BRAZIL'S FIGHTER PURCHASE: ENDGAME STRATEGY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

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If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BRASILIA634.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BRASILIA634 2009-05-19 16:04 2010-12-05 05:05 SECRET//NOFORN Embassy Brasilia

VZCZCXRO8264
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #0634/01 1391639
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 191639Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4328
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0490
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0075
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 9551
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 7753
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 4071
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BRASILIA 000634

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL MASS ETTC BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S FIGHTER PURCHASE: ENDGAME STRATEGY

REF: A. BRASILIA 216
¶B. BRASILIA 41

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lisa Kubiske. Reason: 1.4(d)

¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. With two months
remaining before the Government of Brazil decides on a next
generation fighter aircraft, the U.S. competitor, Boeing's
F18 Super Hornet is still perceived by many Brazilians in and
outside the GOB as a likely second or even third-place
finisher, despite having the best aircraft and best offset
package. Most Brazilian contacts tell us that they do not
believe the USG is supporting the sale strongly, raising
doubts in their minds about our long term reliability as a
partner. Between now and July, there will be several
opportunities to assure the Brazilians at senior levels that
the USG will be behind the sale. Paragraphs 3-7 below
contain proposed steps to address key Brazilian concerns and
maximize chances for selection of the U.S. competitor. Among
these steps, high level contacts, especially by the President
and Secretary will be critical to overcome the perception of
a lack of U.S. support. We also need to underscore our
assurances that technology transfer has been approved and
highlight the superiority of Boeing's proposal to that of its
French competitor. As noted reftels, Embassy believes State
will play a critical role in roviding assurances that will be
essential to a winning bid. END SUMMARY.

¶2. (S/NF) As the FX2 competition moves into its final
stages, the U.S. has a strong offer from Boeing for the F18
Super Hornet that comes with a huge package of industrial
cooperation and a competitive overall cost. While we can be
confident that the Super Hornet would be Brazil,s choice
based on its superior capabilities and attractive offset
package, it still has no better than a fifty/fifty chance of
success because of political support for the French
competitor and a lingering belief among some Brazilian
leaders that a close relationship with the U.S. may not be to
Brazil,s advantage. Winning the FX2 endgame, therefore,
will depend on an effective strategy to overcome our
political disadvantages and allow the Super Hornet,s
superiority be the deciding factor. Such a strategy must
address several key issues:

Perception of a lack of USG support
-----------------------------------

¶3. (S/NF) With the French sale effort being managed directly
from President Sarkozy,s cabinet and ongoing Swedish
engagement on the Ministerial level, the USG is perceived by
most Brazilians as lukewarm at best in its support for the
FX2 sale. This is a critical disadvantage in a Brazilian
society that depends on personal relationships as a
foundation for business. The difficulty is exacerbated by
the separation between government and industry in the United
States. We cannot, for example, offer government financing
to support a state owned company as can our competitors. To
address this problem, high level contacts will be essential,
particularly from the Department of State which is assumed by
the Brazilian Air Force to be restrictive of mil-mil
ooperation. In such contacts, U.S. officials will need to
highlight expanding U.S.-Brazil partnership and how
cooperation with the United States as Brazil modernizes its
obsolescent military will not only provide the best
operational capabilities, but will enhance our overall
cooperation. This is why we have been forward leaning in
approving transfers of technology in support of this sale.
In addition to taking advantage of the near-term
opportunities for high level contacts presented by MOD
Jobim,s May 20 visit to Washington And Secretary Clinton,s
possible visit to Brazil in late May, Embassy believes that
phone calls between Presidents Obama and Lula, between NSA
Jones and Presidential Foreign Affairs Advisor Marco Aurelio
Garcia, and between SecDef Gates and MOD Jobim, would boost
our case significantly.

Tech Transfer
-------------

¶4. (S/NF) Although the major decisions to approve the

BRASILIA 00000634 002 OF 003


transfer of technology for the FX2 sale have been made,
Brazilian leaders continue to doubt U.S. ability to follow
through. While the problem has been mitigated by an
effective public affairs strategy, we still hear that, absent
specific high level State Department assurances, the
Brazilians cannot be sure. It may well be that the
Brazilians want to keep tech transfer doubts alive in order
to have a ready-made excuse for buying an inferior plane,
should political leaders decide to do so. Repeated concerns
about unreleasable source code could have a similar basis.
Finally, we have heard that there are concerns on Capitol
Hill about the possibility of a South American arms race.
Should these reach Brazilian ears, there will be additional
worries that Congress will intervene to block the sale.
Embassy recommends the following as next steps to strengthen
our case on tech transfer:

-- An advocacy letter from President Obama to President Lula
-- A letter from Secretary Clinton to MOD Jobim stating that
the USG has approved the transfer of all appropriate
technology.
-- Interagency guidance on source code (cleared for April
Revista Forca Area article) should be disseminated for use.
-- All high-level contacts, including by Secretaries of
State and Defense and POTUS should include reassurance that
tech transfer has been approved.
-- Washington agencies should begin consultations with
appropriate Hill staff as early as possible to overcome
misperceptions that arms sales to Brazil could be
destabilizing.

Financing
---------

¶5. (S/NF) U.S. inability to offer government financing or
guarantees puts the Super Hornet at a significant
disadvantage to its competitors. EXIM is prohibited from
engaging in sales of defense articles, leaving Brazil to
depend on commercial financing at higher rates. According to
Washington agencies, it would be possible to seek
Congressional relief for EXIM to support the sale. This has
been done in the past on rare occasions. The Brazilian Air
Force finance office has told us that even a statement that
we are willing to seek such legislative action would be
considered a positive sign. Embassy recommends that
Washington explore the possibility of legislative action to
allow EXIM Financing and respond by the May 29 deadline to
the GOB request to provide information on government
financing options.

Making the Case
---------------

¶6. (S/NF) We have been successful in getting across the
points that the Super Hornet is a highly capable aircraft,
and now need to focus on the broader picture -- how
partnership on the fighter sale will yield benefits for both
sides both in military terms and in economic benefits. As
the world,s largest aerospace company, Boeing is able to
offer a much greater scope of opportunities for Brazilian
industry, including some outside of the FX2 offset program.
The early June visit of Brazilian legislators to Washington
will be an opportunity to get the message to political
leaders. By focusing on key Senators, we have the
opportunity to bring on board individuals who can influence
the decision makers and ensure that the people who will have
to approve spending Brazilian government money understand
that the F18 offers them the best value. Embassy will
continue to highlight tech transfer and Expand our message
to include economic benefits to Brazil of the Boeing
proposal. We also recommend the following:

-- Make an expert on the aerospace industry available for
interview to highlight economic health of Boeing compared to
its competitors.
-- Use visit of Brazilian Congress to drive home message
that partnership with the U.S. entails benefits to both sides
that go well beyond offset program. Ensure that Brazilian
Senators understand significantly lower life
cycle costs of the Super Hornet.

BRASILIA 00000634 003 OF 003


-- Arrange for an interview of the SecDef, or other senior
Administration representative, with a prominent Brazilian
journalist to underline importance of U.S.-Brazilian
partnership and how the FX2 sale will help.

Attack the French Bid
---------------------

¶7. (S/NF) Although the French offer a less capable fighter
at a higher cost, the Rafale has been the presumptive winner
since the inception of the FX2 competition. While the
technical evaluations of the aircraft should result in a
significant advantage for the Super Hornet, we need to take
steps to erode the French political edge. While a major
element of this will be highlighting Boeing,s lower cost,
there are several other measures that can make a case against
the French. The first step will be to remind the Brazilians
that their interest in the Rafale was driven by an assumption
that the United States would not release technology. Since
we have approved release of the relevant technology, we
should ask if Brazil still needs the French as a safety.
Over the last few months, the French sales effort has been
based on a misleading, if not fraudulent, claim that their
plane involves only French content (rendering it free of
meddlesome U.S. export controls). This is not the case. A
DTSA analysis found a high level of U.S. content, including
targeting systems, radar components and safety systems that
will require U.S. licenses. Next steps:

-- Although it does not appear that the tech data provided
with the French bid violated ITAR regs, PM/DDTC and DTSA
should continue to monitor French marketing to ensure
Dassault does not skirt ITAR restrictions.
-- Investigate India,s decision to drop the Rafale from its
fighter competition to see if there is a reason that would
make the aircraft less attractive to Brazil.
-- Ensure the Brazilians are aware that we expect to be
issuing retransfer licenses for U.S.-origin components on the
French plane and have already approved transfer of some
technical data.

KUBISKE
 
Any sound bytes on Rafale? Sarkozy in town and only thing in focus is the nuclear deal. Nothing on Rafale. Have the French given up on MMRCA :)
 
Viewing cable 09BRASILIA634, BRAZIL'S FIGHTER PURCHASE: ENDGAME STRATEGY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

* The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
* The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
* The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BRASILIA634.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BRASILIA634 2009-05-19 16:04 2010-12-05 05:05 SECRET//NOFORN Embassy Brasilia

VZCZCXRO8264
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #0634/01 1391639
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 191639Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4328
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0490
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0075
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 9551
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 7753
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 4071
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BRASILIA 000634

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL MASS ETTC BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S FIGHTER PURCHASE: ENDGAME STRATEGY

REF: A. BRASILIA 216
¶B. BRASILIA 41

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lisa Kubiske. Reason: 1.4(d)

¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. With two months
remaining before the Government of Brazil decides on a next
generation fighter aircraft, the U.S. competitor, Boeing's
F18 Super Hornet is still perceived by many Brazilians in and
outside the GOB as a likely second or even third-place
finisher, despite having the best aircraft and best offset
package. Most Brazilian contacts tell us that they do not
believe the USG is supporting the sale strongly, raising
doubts in their minds about our long term reliability as a
partner. Between now and July, there will be several
opportunities to assure the Brazilians at senior levels that
the USG will be behind the sale. Paragraphs 3-7 below
contain proposed steps to address key Brazilian concerns and
maximize chances for selection of the U.S. competitor. Among
these steps, high level contacts, especially by the President
and Secretary will be critical to overcome the perception of
a lack of U.S. support. We also need to underscore our
assurances that technology transfer has been approved and
highlight the superiority of Boeing's proposal to that of its
French competitor. As noted reftels, Embassy believes State
will play a critical role in roviding assurances that will be
essential to a winning bid. END SUMMARY.

¶2. (S/NF) As the FX2 competition moves into its final
stages, the U.S. has a strong offer from Boeing for the F18
Super Hornet that comes with a huge package of industrial
cooperation and a competitive overall cost. While we can be
confident that the Super Hornet would be Brazil,s choice
based on its superior capabilities and attractive offset
package, it still has no better than a fifty/fifty chance of
success because of political support for the French
competitor and a lingering belief among some Brazilian
leaders that a close relationship with the U.S. may not be to
Brazil,s advantage. Winning the FX2 endgame, therefore,
will depend on an effective strategy to overcome our
political disadvantages and allow the Super Hornet,s
superiority be the deciding factor. Such a strategy must
address several key issues:

Perception of a lack of USG support
-----------------------------------

¶3. (S/NF) With the French sale effort being managed directly
from President Sarkozy,s cabinet and ongoing Swedish
engagement on the Ministerial level, the USG is perceived by
most Brazilians as lukewarm at best in its support for the
FX2 sale. This is a critical disadvantage in a Brazilian
society that depends on personal relationships as a
foundation for business. The difficulty is exacerbated by
the separation between government and industry in the United
States. We cannot, for example, offer government financing
to support a state owned company as can our competitors. To
address this problem, high level contacts will be essential,
particularly from the Department of State which is assumed by
the Brazilian Air Force to be restrictive of mil-mil
ooperation. In such contacts, U.S. officials will need to
highlight expanding U.S.-Brazil partnership and how
cooperation with the United States as Brazil modernizes its
obsolescent military will not only provide the best
operational capabilities, but will enhance our overall
cooperation. This is why we have been forward leaning in
approving transfers of technology in support of this sale.
In addition to taking advantage of the near-term
opportunities for high level contacts presented by MOD
Jobim,s May 20 visit to Washington And Secretary Clinton,s
possible visit to Brazil in late May, Embassy believes that
phone calls between Presidents Obama and Lula, between NSA
Jones and Presidential Foreign Affairs Advisor Marco Aurelio
Garcia, and between SecDef Gates and MOD Jobim, would boost
our case significantly.

Tech Transfer
-------------

¶4. (S/NF) Although the major decisions to approve the

BRASILIA 00000634 002 OF 003


transfer of technology for the FX2 sale have been made,
Brazilian leaders continue to doubt U.S. ability to follow
through. While the problem has been mitigated by an
effective public affairs strategy, we still hear that, absent
specific high level State Department assurances, the
Brazilians cannot be sure. It may well be that the
Brazilians want to keep tech transfer doubts alive in order
to have a ready-made excuse for buying an inferior plane,
should political leaders decide to do so. Repeated concerns
about unreleasable source code could have a similar basis.
Finally, we have heard that there are concerns on Capitol
Hill about the possibility of a South American arms race.
Should these reach Brazilian ears, there will be additional
worries that Congress will intervene to block the sale.
Embassy recommends the following as next steps to strengthen
our case on tech transfer:

-- An advocacy letter from President Obama to President Lula
-- A letter from Secretary Clinton to MOD Jobim stating that
the USG has approved the transfer of all appropriate
technology.
-- Interagency guidance on source code (cleared for April
Revista Forca Area article) should be disseminated for use.
-- All high-level contacts, including by Secretaries of
State and Defense and POTUS should include reassurance that
tech transfer has been approved.
-- Washington agencies should begin consultations with
appropriate Hill staff as early as possible to overcome
misperceptions that arms sales to Brazil could be
destabilizing.

Financing
---------

¶5. (S/NF) U.S. inability to offer government financing or
guarantees puts the Super Hornet at a significant
disadvantage to its competitors. EXIM is prohibited from
engaging in sales of defense articles, leaving Brazil to
depend on commercial financing at higher rates. According to
Washington agencies, it would be possible to seek
Congressional relief for EXIM to support the sale. This has
been done in the past on rare occasions. The Brazilian Air
Force finance office has told us that even a statement that
we are willing to seek such legislative action would be
considered a positive sign. Embassy recommends that
Washington explore the possibility of legislative action to
allow EXIM Financing and respond by the May 29 deadline to
the GOB request to provide information on government
financing options.

Making the Case
---------------

¶6. (S/NF) We have been successful in getting across the
points that the Super Hornet is a highly capable aircraft,
and now need to focus on the broader picture -- how
partnership on the fighter sale will yield benefits for both
sides both in military terms and in economic benefits. As
the world,s largest aerospace company, Boeing is able to
offer a much greater scope of opportunities for Brazilian
industry, including some outside of the FX2 offset program.
The early June visit of Brazilian legislators to Washington
will be an opportunity to get the message to political
leaders. By focusing on key Senators, we have the
opportunity to bring on board individuals who can influence
the decision makers and ensure that the people who will have
to approve spending Brazilian government money understand
that the F18 offers them the best value. Embassy will
continue to highlight tech transfer and Expand our message
to include economic benefits to Brazil of the Boeing
proposal. We also recommend the following:

-- Make an expert on the aerospace industry available for
interview to highlight economic health of Boeing compared to
its competitors.
-- Use visit of Brazilian Congress to drive home message
that partnership with the U.S. entails benefits to both sides
that go well beyond offset program. Ensure that Brazilian
Senators understand significantly lower life
cycle costs of the Super Hornet.

BRASILIA 00000634 003 OF 003


-- Arrange for an interview of the SecDef, or other senior
Administration representative, with a prominent Brazilian
journalist to underline importance of U.S.-Brazilian
partnership and how the FX2 sale will help.

Attack the French Bid
---------------------

¶7. (S/NF) Although the French offer a less capable fighter
at a higher cost, the Rafale has been the presumptive winner
since the inception of the FX2 competition. While the
technical evaluations of the aircraft should result in a
significant advantage for the Super Hornet, we need to take
steps to erode the French political edge. While a major
element of this will be highlighting Boeing,s lower cost,
there are several other measures that can make a case against
the French. The first step will be to remind the Brazilians
that their interest in the Rafale was driven by an assumption
that the United States would not release technology. Since
we have approved release of the relevant technology, we
should ask if Brazil still needs the French as a safety.
Over the last few months, the French sales effort has been
based on a misleading, if not fraudulent, claim that their
plane involves only French content (rendering it free of
meddlesome U.S. export controls). This is not the case. A
DTSA analysis found a high level of U.S. content, including
targeting systems, radar components and safety systems that
will require U.S. licenses
. Next steps:

-- Although it does not appear that the tech data provided
with the French bid violated ITAR regs, PM/DDTC and DTSA
should continue to monitor French marketing to ensure
Dassault does not skirt ITAR restrictions.
-- Investigate India,s decision to drop the Rafale from its
fighter competition to see if there is a reason that would
make the aircraft less attractive to Brazil.
-- Ensure the Brazilians are aware that we expect to be
issuing retransfer licenses for U.S.-origin components on the
French plane and have already approved transfer of some
technical data.

KUBISKE

..please read the highlighted text, I have repeatedly said that the Rafale is not free of US Export controls.
 
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