Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar to Dassault Aviation

[DrSomnath999]

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.
30032012 - Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar to Dassault Aviation - Thales Group



MODS PLZ MOVE THIS THREAD TO MMRCA THREAD TOMMOROW

 

[shiv]

thread already posted Dr sahab

 

[IND151]

very good news

BTW will AESA require new 90 KN engines?

 

[DrSomnath999]

very good news

BTW will AESA require new 90 KN engines?

i didnt get u what has AESA got to do with engines

 

[shiv]

He probably means to ask if the extra power req by AESA radars in full on mode hamper the power available to other critical systems ? And an engine is the primary source of power in an aircraft !!

#this much I know that power required by radars are very less compared to the power generated by the engine. Also, aircrafts have auxiliary power sources

 

[sancho]

very good news

BTW will AESA require new 90 KN engines?

No, the F3+ comes with upgraded engines, but only to improve the life and maintainence costs.

 

[Luftwaffe]

thread already posted Dr sahab

Nope...I posted it months ago if i am not wrong in Nov-Dec 2011 about up coming AESA Radar...your somnath is too late.

 

[rockstarIN]

Whats the production rate per year? are they produce enough to equip Indian & French needs at a time?

 

[sexy gun]

except 18 all other aircrafts would be assembled in India with a gradual increase in Indigenous production of spares as well... like the MKIs.

 

[Abingdonboy]

very good news

BTW will AESA require new 90 KN engines?

I believe so, and the IAF's version of the Rafale (yet to be given an official name/designation) will come with the M88-3 engines that can produce 95+ KN of thrust with reheat.

i didnt get u what has AESA got to do with engines

AESA engines require huge amounts of power which in some cases existing engines maybe unable to provide.

 

[sancho]

Nope...I posted it months ago if i am not wrong in Nov-Dec 2011 about up coming AESA Radar...your somnath is too late.

Not really, because this press release is about providing the first AESA radar that will be integrated into the new Rafale F3+, which will be inducted into operational service. Earlier reports were about production of the AESA radar for final testing and integration into test platforms.

 

[Bratva]

I believe so, and the IAF's version of the Rafale (yet to be given an official name/designation) will come with the M88-3 engines that can produce 95+ KN of thrust with reheat.



AESA engines require huge amounts of power which in some cases existing engines maybe unable to provide.

this thrust provided under normal conditions or with After burner?

 

[mautkimaut]

this thrust provided under normal conditions or with After burner?

With Reheat means with after burner

 

[sancho]

this thrust provided under normal conditions or with After burner?

AB thrust, but Abingdonboy is getting a bit too far again. Rafale will not get M88-3 anytime soon, if at all during the MLU upgrades and so far the ECO demonstrator provided 90kN thrust. For AESA radar as mentioned in my earlier post, increased thrust for Rafale is not needed.

 

[Abingdonboy]

AB thrust, but Abingdonboy is getting a bit too far again. Rafale will not get M88-3 anytime soon, if at all during the MLU upgrades and so far the ECO demonstrator provided 90kN thrust. For AESA radar as mentioned in my earlier post, increased thrust for Rafale is not needed.

It has been stated that the IAF has been offered the M88-3 and if so the IAF is likely to go for it. Much of the preliminary work is done but cost issues were hampering further development but now with confirmed deals and others on the horizon there should be no issues for integration.