لا بأس دعونا نستعرض منظومات وبودات وتسليح الرفال الرئيسية ونلقي الضوء على ما يخدم الموضوع حول قدراتها لتنفيذ مهام SEAD/DEAD ولنبدأ بموقع الشركة الرسمي:
A wide range of smart and discrete sensors
1 – RBE2 / AESA – “Active Electronically Scanned Array” RADAR
The
RAFALE is the first operational – and so far, the only – European combat aircraft to use an electronic scanning radar. Developed by
THALES, the
RBE2 radar has benefited from a massive research effort and from
THALES’ unmatched know-how based on past experience. Compared to radars with conventional antennas, unprecedented levels of situational awareness are attained with earlier detection and tracking of multiple targets.
With its superior beam agility and its enormous computing power, the
RBE2 offers outstanding performance that cannot be replicated by mechanical scanning radars.
In October 2012, the first
RAFALE fighter equipped with an “Active Electronically Scanned Array” (AESA)
RBE2 radar was delivered to the French MoD. The AESA provides a wide range of functions:
- All-aspect look-up and look-down detection and tracking of multiple air targets for close combat and long-range interception, in all weather and in severe jamming environments,
- Ability to track targets in, or out of the search domain, bringing the ultimate advantage in air combat,
- Real time generation of three-dimensional maps for terrain-following above uncharted terrain in blind conditions. TheRAFALE is the sole new generation combat aircraft to currently propose such a function,
- Real time generation of high resolution 2D ground maps for navigation updates and detection, identification and designation of ground targets,
- Detection and tracking of multiple naval targets.
The
RBE2-AESA is fully compatible in terms of detection range with the upcoming long range
METEOR air-to-air missile. The AESA offers an unprecedented growth-potential for the future.
In those situations where discretion becomes the single most important tactical factor, the
RAFALE can rely on several other sensor systems:
2 – “Front Sector Optronics” – FSO
Developed by THALES, the “Front Sector Optronics” (FSO) system is fully integrated into the aircraft. Operating in the optronic wavelengths, it is immune to radar jamming and it provides covert long-range detection and identification, high resolution angular tracking and laser range-finding for air, sea and ground targets.
The FSO’s powerful TV sensor (cued by the RAFALE’sactive and passive sensors) is truly valuable to positively identify targets in situations where a visual contact is required by the rules of engagement.
3 – SPECTRA – Internal electronic warfare suite
Jointly developed by THALES and MBDA, the SPECTRAinternal “Electronic Warfare” (EW) system is the cornerstone of the Rafale’s outstanding survivability against the latest airborne and ground threats.
It is fully integrated with other systems in the aircraft, and it provides a multi-spectral threat warning capability against hostile radars, missiles and lasers.
The SPECTRA system carries out reliable long-range detection, identification and localisation of threats, allowing the pilot to instantly select the most effective defensive measures based on combinations of radar jamming, infrared or radar decoying and evasive manoeuvres.
The angular localisation performance of the SPECTRAsensors makes it possible to accurately locate ground threats in order to avoid them, or to target them for destruction with precision guided munitions.
The outstanding capability of SPECTRA regarding airborne threat localisation, is one of the keys of the RAFALE’ssuperior situational awareness.
Also instrumental in SPECTRA‘s performance is a threat library that can be easily defined, integrated and updated on short notice by users in their own country, and in full autonomy.
SPECTRA now includes a new generation missile warning system that offers increased detection performance against the latest threats.
4 – NET-CENTRIC CAPABILITY
The net-centric capability of the
RAFALE hinges on its open architecture, its data fusion software and its compatibility with a variety of data links, which “plug” the
RAFALE into the integrated battlespace.
A secure high-rate data link is provided to share data in combined air operations in real time with other aircraft in the formation, airborne and surface command and control centres, tactical air controllers or other friendly assets. The Link 16 data link is also available to those customers cleared to operate it.
As a net-centric capable asset, the
RAFALE can exchange images. The
Rover (“Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver”) is an element of this capability which allows aircrews and forward air controllers on the ground to share videos or images of the target. It helps prevent blue-on-blue incidents and collateral damage, a decisive advantage in peacekeeping operations.
The
RAFALE’s interoperability, as part of a multinational operation, has been demonstrated on countless occasions, and Link 16 as well as non-NATO solutions can be provided to meet various customers’ requirements.
5 – DAMOCLES – LASER DESIGNATION POD
The
DAMOCLES laser designator pod designed by
THALES, brings full day and night laser designation capability to the
RAFALE, with metric precision. It permits laser-guided weapons to be delivered at stand-off range and altitude.
The IR sensor of the
DAMOCLES pod operates in the mid-wave infrared band, allowing it to retain its effectiveness in warm and / or humid conditions
DAMOCLES is interoperable with all existing laser-guided weapons.
A contract for a new generation of laser designation / targeting pod was announced in early 2013, with service entry from 2018. This new pod will offer considerably expanded detection and tracking ranges, day and night.
6 – AREOS – RECCE POD – With real-time transmission
For both strategic and tactical reconnaissance missions, the French Armed Forces have adopted the new generation
THALES AREOS reconnaissance system for the
RAFALE.
As demonstrated in Libya and in Mali, this high-tech, day and night equipment can be used in a wide range of scenarios, from stand-off distance at high altitude down to high speed and extremely low-level.
To shorten the intelligence gathering cycle and accelerate the tempo of operations, the
AREOS pod is fitted with a data link which allows high resolution images to be transmitted back to military decision makers in real time.
The outstanding performance of
AREOS in stand-off reconnaissance makes it a sensor with a true pre-strategic value.
A full range of advanced weapons
The mission system of the
RAFALE has the potential to integrate a variety of current and future armaments.
The
RAFALE has been cleared to operate the following weapons:
- The MICA air-to-air “Beyond Visual Range” (BVR) interception, combat and self-defence missiles, in their IR (heat-seeking) and EM (active radar homing) versions. TheMICA can be used within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR).
- The HAMMER (standing for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) modular, rocket-boosted air-to-ground precision guided weapon series, fitted with INS/GPS or INS/GPS/IIR (imaging infra-red) guidance kits, or with the upcoming INS/GPS/laser guidance kit.
- The SCALP long-range stand-off missile,
- The AM39 EXOCETanti-ship missile,
- Laser-guided bombs,
- Unguided bombs,
The 2500 rounds/min NEXTER 30M791 30 mm internal cannon, available on both single and two-seaters
- The upcoming METEOR long-range air-to-air missile,
- Customer-selected weapons.
The
RAFALE‘s stores management system is Mil-Std-1760 compliant, which provides for easy integration of customer-selected weapons.
With its 10-tonne empty weight, the
RAFALE is fitted with 14 hard points (13 on the
RAFALE M). Five of them are capable of drop tanks and heavy ordnance. Total external load capacity is more than nine tonnes (20,000 lbs.).
“Buddy-buddy” refuelling missions can be carried out in portions of the airspace out of reach of dedicated and vulnerable tanker aircraft.
With its outstanding load-carrying capability and its advanced mission system, the
RAFALE can carry out both air-to-ground strikes, as well as air-to-air attacks and interceptions during the same sortie.
It is capable of performing several actions at the same time, such as firing air-to-air missiles during a very low altitude penetration phase: a clear demonstration of the true
“OMNIROLE” capability and outstanding survivability of the
RAFALE.
