The Rafale fighter aircraft: Overview and progress status

BIT heR a faie Fightei AirCiaft:....................... Overview and ProgressStatus Jean-Pierre

SANFOURCHE

The Rafale is an extended multi-role c o m b a t aircraft, featuring Iowobservability a n d c a p a b l e of performing an extremely wide range of missions night or d a y and in all weather conditions. Using a single basic platform for three variants - two-seater, Air Force; single seater, Air Force; single seater, Navy - it is designed to be compatible with all current a n d planned weapon systems. The present article aims at recalling its main characteristics and at giving some information on the programme status. T

he Rafale is designed to meet demanding multi-role and survivability requirements, while also satisfying stringent budget and lead-time requirements.

Operating from aircraft carriers (naval version) or short fields and featuring operational flexibility, upgradability and in-flight refuelling, the Rafale is the ideal 'force projector'.

Key success factors General configuration The main key-figures are given in table I.

One platform, three versions: - Rafale M: single-seater for aircraft carrier operations, Navy; - Rafale B: two-seater, Air Force; - Rafale C: single-seater, Air Force. The missions are the following: • Common to the Air and Naval versions: -ground attack in all weather conditions, night or day; -ground attack in all altitudes (low altitude penetration capability, in particular); -ground attack will all types of bombs (conventional, and laser guided) and with several types of missiles (SCALP,...); - nuclear strike; - aerial reconnaissance; - air defence; - air superiority; -terrestrial and maritime reconnaissance. • Specific to the Naval version sea strike/attack in all weather conditions, night or day; - in-flight (buddy-buddy) refuelling. -at

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Sector Optronics (OSF) system is fully integrated in the aircraft. Operating in visible and infrared wavelengths, it provides discrete longrange detection, multi-target angular tracking and range-finding for air, sea and ground targets. Covering several different bandwidths (TV/IR/laser), the OSF enhances the Rafale's robustness under harsh operating conditions (radar jamming, adverse weather, etc.). SPECTRAsell-protectionsystem

Figure 1. Three-view plan of the Rafale aircraft M, (Doc. DASSAULTAVIAnON).

An aircraft on the cutting edge By incorporating advanced technologies, Dassault Aviation has been able to integrate all functions expected of a true multi-role aircraft in a compact airframe. With defence budgets now cut to the strict minimum, the Rafale's operational flexibility provides a key strategic edge; the Rafale alone will replace in France six different specialised aircraft. Upgradeability is a built-in feature of the Rafale, which is also designed to provide: -reduced pilot workload, thanks to a new-generation mission system including a new man-machine interface;

-firing of all current or planned weapons; -designed-in Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), to lower operating costs.

New-generation weapon system The Rafale offers advanced operational capabilities, supported by a wide array of advanced technologies: • Modular system architecture; • Data Fusion from passive and/or active sensors, used in complementary fashion: Front~pctor Optronlcs

Developed jointly by Thomson-CSF and Sagem for the Rafale, the Front

Developed jointly by ThomsonCSF/DETEXIS, and Matra BAe Dynamics, the Spectra defensive system is fully integrated in the aircraft (figure 2) giving it excellent survivability against both air and ground threats. Spectra provides long-range detection, identification and location of threats, and allows the pilot or the mission System to react immediately with the best matched defensive measure, whether EM jamming, infrared decoys, evasive manoeuvres or a combination of these actions. The key to self-protection is a library of threats, defined and integrated by the user. Thanks to the angular location performance of SPECTRA, it is possible to locate correctly ground-based threats and therefore avoid or destroy them. RBE-2electronic scanning radar

Developed jointly by ThomsonCSF/DETEXIS, the RBE-2 (figure 3) combines a brand-new concept with the expertise built up by this companies on previous radars. The beam agility provided by the electronic scanning mode and a high-speed processor give the RBE-2 real simultaneous multi-mode capability. Functions include: • Air-to-air: long-range detection and tracking of air targets, in look-down or look-up mode, and in all-weather and EM environments. , Generation of 3D maps for terrainfollowing. , Generation of ground maps for navigation providing high-definition

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... • reeNewEuropean!:ighter Aircraft images, enabling the reconnaissance or firing of a wide range of weapons. # Long range detection and tracking of sea targets. Real-time, multifunction secure data link

It allows communications between aircraft and with fixed or mobile command centre, but also the inter-operability of multilateral forces compatible with the requirements of the different countries. An extremely ergonomic man-machine interface

This MMI combines voice command with the HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) control concept. This feature relies on a highly integrated suite of equipment, enabling: - Head-up flying using a wide-field-ofview (300;<22°) holographic head-up display (HUD), collimated for infinity; -Analysis of the tactical situation, using a 200×20 ° multi-image headlevel display (HLID), also collimated for infinity; -Acquisition and fast visual designation of targets, using the helmet-mounted sight/display (HMD, see figure 4); -Management of system resources in two colour lateral displays, featuring 5 × 5 inch touch screens. Furthermore, the cockpit design takes account of the aircraft's high manoeuvrability, with its resulting high load factors, for example by fitting reclined seats.

Extensive firing capabilities The Rafale's mission system is designed to support all current - and planned - weapon systems, no matter how advanced. For example, the Rafale can fire: • the Mica interception, aerial combat and self-defence missile (IR and EM versions); • the future AASM range of modular air-to-ground missiles; • the Scalp/Storm-Shadow/blackShaheen family of long-range stand-off missiles;

• antiship missiles (Exocet and Future supersonic antiship missile). With an empty weight of about 10 tons, the Rafale is fitted with 14 hard points (13 on the Rafale M). Five of these are designed for external tanks and heavy ordnance. Total external load capacity is over 9 tons - nearly 20 000 pounds. The Rafale's modular and standardised design compliant with the Stanag 1 760 allows users to integrate ordnance from non-French sources. All versions of the Rafale are fitted with the Giat Industries Defa 791 30mm cannon, which fires 2 500 rounds per minute. Thanks to its high store carrying capacity and a powerful missions system, the Rafale can simultaneously perform ground attack and air-to-air combat missions. In addition, its ability to superimpose functions such as beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air firing during the very-low-altitude penetration phase, gives the Rafale impressively broad multi-role capabilities, along with its high degree of survivability.

Integrated Logistics Support The Integrated Logistics Support system for the Rafale was built in from the initial design stage, and has been simplified thanks to extensive logistic support experience logged on Mirage 2000. In short, the Rafale's ILS translates into maximum dispatch reliability and reduced operating costs. The Integrated Logistics Support concept chosen for the Rafale is based on several factors: - easy operation: built-in systems mean that ground crews are instantly aware of the aircraft's condition; - extended testability of equipment and assemblies, using the Mermoz automatic tester; -line maintenance through equipment replacement or interchangeable subassemblies, limited to those operations considered strictly necessary; -inter-operability of ground support systems. ~1~

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Figure 2. The self-protection system, called SPECTRA (see box, page 36). (Doc. THOMSON-CSF).

Progress status Standards Three operational standards are presently defined: - F1 standard: air-to-air configuration for the first Rafale aircraft of the Navy; - F 2 standard: air-to-air and air-toground configurations for the aircraft of the Navy (Rafale M) and for the aircraft of the Air Force (Rafale B and C); - F 3 standard: post-F2 generation, including even more complex air-toground capacities. This is the final standard foreseen for the French Air Force. It will integrate all new

Figure 3. The RBE-2,the main sensor of the Rafale (see box, page 38) (Doc. THOMSON-CSF). EUROPE

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weapons currently under development (ASMP-A, Air-Sol-Moyenne Port6eA; ANF, Anti-Navire Futur;...)

Some more details about the F2 standard • Standard common to the Navy and to the Air Force; • First standard for the Air Force; • F2 is a multi-role standard allowing both the air-to-air combat (the functions of the F1 standard of the first aircraft of the Navy) and the air-toground combat. • This standard will be equipped with: - a radar including air-to-ground modes; -infra-red missiles 'MICA' (Aerial Combat and Self-defence Missile) in addition to their electromagnetic version already existing in the F1 standard; -the future AASM (Armement AirSol Modulaire) range of modular airto-ground missiles; - t h e long-range stand-off missiles 'SCALP'. • The airframe is the same as that of the F1 standard.

Figure 4. The Sighting Helmet 'TOPSIGHT" is c o m p o s e d of'. (i) a h e a d equipment, (ii) a detection a n d positioning device, (iii) an electronic box. It ensures all physiological protections, a function of information presentation/visualisation, a n d a function of communication. (Doc. SEXTANTAvionique).

• The F2 standard aircraft will derive additional benefit, notably, from a modular avionics, from higher performance on board computers and software - organised in a new way - from new electro-optical sensors, the most important being the Front Sector Optronics (OSF-Optronique de Secteur Frontal), from the new data transmission equipment 'MIDS' (Multi-functional Information Distribution System), and from the Very Low Altitude Terrain following capability with Radar and/or digital Terrain file.

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• 48 Rafale aircraft, to be delivered to the French Forces between 2004 and 2007, will be equipped in the F2 standard configuration. • The F2 standard will be subsequently installed on the 10 first Rafale M aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm, to be delivered between 2000 and 2003 in the F1 standard. D e v e l o p m e n t status

• F1 Standard: - final adjustments of the basic Rafale aircraft and of the initial air-to-air functions;

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Figure 5. Rafale M: many catapult-launching and landing tests have been performed, either on ground (campaigns executed in the USA),or at sea; here a catapult-launch from the aircraft carrier Foch. (Doc. DASSAULTAVIATION).

-qualification planned in Spring 2000. F2 standard: - c o n t r a c t passed by the Government to DASSAULT AVIATION on 31 December 1998 for the first block of t h e development; - the development phase in commencing with definition works. -then, industry will undertake the aero-mechanical tests related to the release of the new missiles from the aircraft. - i n parallel, the design offices will write the software specific to the F2 standard; - this software will be checked-out on ground support equipment before being integrated into the aircraft; - t h e F2 development phase will end (i) with the validation of the firing command and control systems, and with a missile firing tests campaign; (ii) with Very Low Altitude operations validation; - t h e qualification is planned in mid2004; •

entry into operational unit at the end of 2005; - t h e F2 standard will be developed using the Rafale B301 - the first production aircraft which executed its first flight on 4 December 1998 at Bordeaux-M6rignac, and which is now in the Test Flight Centre of Istres - together with the development aircraft B01 and M02. -

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• Delivery of the first series aircraft: - First flight of the B301 in December 1998. - M1 on runway at M6rignac. -First series aircraft assigned to development activities: B301, B302, M1. - 10 Rafale M aircraft delivered from mid-2000 to the Navy to form the first Fleet Air Arm unit, the latter becoming operational in mid-2001. • Pluriannual order of 48 aircraft, notified in June 1999. - 2 8 aircraft in firm order block (8 Rafale M for the Navy, 20 aircraft to AIR

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be delivered from 2004/2005 to the Air Force). - 2 0 'optional', to be delivered up to 2007.

Programmemilestones Some important tests performed since 1995: - June 1995: first firing of self-guided Mica missile from Rafale; - July 1995: Installation and testing of Front Sector Optronics (OSF) system and helmet-mounted sight/display; -September 1995: fourth at-sea testing campaign of the Rafale M ffigure 5); -November 1995: first long-range non-stop flight of the Rafale B01 (3,020 nautical miles in less than 6 hours 30 minutes); - October-December 1995:_fourth and last land-based test campaign of the Rafale M in the United States; -December 1995: assembly of first production model fuselage; -March 1996: 'flightworthiness' qualification of Snecma M88 engine; EUROPE

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-May 1996: very-low-altitude flights using digital map; -July 1996: integration of Spectra electronic warfare system (in anechoic chamber and Electro-magnetic farfield); -November 1996: flight test of the Spectra Integrated Countermeasures System; -February 1997: stores carriage test flights on the Rafale B01 in heavyweight configuration (23.4+ metric tons), equipped with two Apache airto-ground missiles, three 2,000 litre drop tanks and four air-to-air missiles (2 Magic missiles and 2 Mica missiles); -May 1997: first inertially-guided MICA missile firing; - June 1997: Spectra countermeasures flight testing; -October 1997: first flight of first production radar; -November 1997: inertially-guided firing of missiles in Counter-Measures environment, against two targets, with aircraft-missile link;

-June 1998: MICA fire control System qualification; -June 1998: Full evaluation of the initial operational capability by Navy and Air Force pilots flying Rafale B01 and M02 development aircraft; - December 1998: first production aircraft - Rafale B301 - flight in the pres-

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ence of Mr Alain Richard, Minister of Defence. The Rafale programme in full compliance with performance requirements has successfully achieved a number of significant development milestones: -orders for the production engineering contract, and for the first 13 pro-

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Figure 6. The Rafale aircraft BO1 in ground attack configuration, at very low altitude, during a test performed in 1998 in the South of the Massif Centrale. It is carrying:

• 2 Cruise missiles of the SCALP type; • 3 external 2000-1itre fuel tanks; • 2 air-to-air MICA missiles; • 2 Air-to-air MAGIC missiles. (Doc. photo Francois Robineau, DASSAULT Aviaplans) duction aircraft (from which 10 Rafale M for the Navy Fleet Air Arm); -order for technical publications, based on the latest information technologies; -five carrier-borne test campaigns, leading to operational qualification of the naval version of Rafale (figure 5); - validation of in-flight refuelling; -Rafale flight-test with the RBE2 radar, the countermeasures system ('SPECTRA') and the first major components in the system;

- G u n and MICA (Missile pour l'Interception, le Combat et l'Autoprotection) fire control system qualification; flights in stores configuration (fuel tanks, missiles), including a heavyweight configuration with three 2000-litre tanks, two SCALP (Syst~me Conventionnel Air-sol Longue Port6e) missiles and four Mica missiles; - manual and automatic very low altitude flights above the sea and over land using digital terrain files. •

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