[Lightning]

Alem da Alemanha também a França projectou um destacamento de caças para o Pacifico.

https://ac.nato.int/archive/2022/FRA_deploy_PB22-2

[goldfinger]

Hoy, la última cohorte de pilotos de combate entrenados en Alphajet está completando su entrenamiento. El macaroning de esta promoción final marca el final del entrenamiento en Alphajet. A partir de ahora, todo el entrenamiento de caza será proporcionado por la EAC de Cognac, en Pilatus PC-21.

[tenente]

France places $5.5 billion order for 42 new Rafale fighters

Sebastien Lecornu, the French armed forces minister, said the order “is excellent news for our sovereignty, our security and our armed forces who will benefit from extra Rafales with modernised operational capacities.”

PARIS — The French military has placed an order for over €5 billion ($5.5 billion) from aircraft-maker Dassault Aviation and partners Thales, Safran and MBDA for 42 more Rafale fighter jets to be delivered between 2027 and 2032, the government announced today.

For France this is the fifth tranche of jets from the Rafale program, bringing the total to 234 aircraft — 13 ordered in 1993, 48 in 1999, 59 in 2004, 60 in 2009, 12 in 2021, and now 42 in 2023.

The 42 single-seat aircraft will come in the standard 4 configuration but will be able to be upgraded to standard 5, scheduled to be introduced in the mid-2030s notably to allow the Rafale to fly in collaborative combat with remotely piloted aircraft, according to the French procurement agency DGA. Dassault began developing standard 4, which focuses on improved connectivity, in 2018. The first increment was qualified by DGA last March.

The 42-plane order was actually made in December but only announced today, though it does not come as a surprise as it was on the books and accounted for in the 2023 budget. Twelve of the 42 aircraft are to replace those that were taken out of the Air and Space Force and sold by the French government to its Croatian counterpart in November 2021.

Sebastien Lecornu, the French armed forces minister who was confirmed in his job this week by the new French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, said this order “is excellent news for our sovereignty, our security and our armed forces who will benefit from extra Rafales with modernised operational capacities.” He remarked that the order would “contribute to more than 7,000 jobs in 400 companies in France” adding that “this investment of more than €5 billion will irrigate numerous areas.”

Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation said in statement, “We are ready and determined to use our skills as prime contractor and complex systems integrator to serve the sovereignty of our nation. This military industrial sovereignty is an exception in Europe. It guarantees the superiority of our combat aviation. It is also an asset for diplomatic influence and an economic strength in export trade.”

Standard 4 will implement a number of changes, according to the French Ministry of Armed Forces. The RBE2 AESA radar’s Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) will detect and follow ground targets in 3D. The aircraft to missile communication system will provide the missile with regular information concerning its target until its own system locks onto the target.

The aircraft’s self-protection SPECTRA system will have its detection and jamming bandwidths extended so that it no longer needs to triangulate. And the Rafale will be able to carry up to three 1,000 kilogram AASM air-to-ground missiles.

Other improvements include a helmet mounted display system, bigger VTLs in the cockpit which can be manipulated like a smartphone including zooming in and out using two fingers, new optronics to detect stealthy targets, integration of the CONTACT tactical radio and improved protection from cyberattacks.

(...)

Fonte: Breaking Defense

[Get_It]

A França seleccionou o PC-7 Mk.X para o treino inicial/básico.

France selects Pilatus PC-7 Mk.X for initial training
(11 de Janeiro de 2025)

On 10 January 2025, the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA, French Armament Agency) announced that it had awarded the "Mentor 2" contract to Babcock International France Aviation. This contract includes 22 Pilatus PC-7 Mk.X aircraft and 12 simulators, which will be deployed at Salon-de-Provence.

The new trainer will serve as the foundation for initial training of future Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, French Air and Space Force) and Marine Nationale (French Navy) pilots.

Currently, air force student pilots or navigator weapons system officers begin their training at Base Aérienne 701 (BA701) Salon-de-Provence, home to the Air School. Their journey starts with Initial Military Training, followed by General Military Training for Officers (FMGO). Students then transition to the Gliding Training Squadron, where they learn the basics of aeronautics.

Advanced training begins with initial flight instruction on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft operated by the L'Escadron d'Instruction en Vol (EIV, flight training squadrons) 3/5 "Comtat-Venaissin" (EIV03.005) and 2/93 "Cévennes" (EIV02.093). From here they proceed to Base Aérienne 709 (BA709) Cognac-Châteaubernard, completing 45 flights on Grob G120A-F aircraft. This critical phase determines their specialisation—fighter or transport pilot.

The introduction of the FOMEDEC (Modernised Training and Differentiated Training of Fighter Crews) and MENTOR 1 concepts, along with the retirement of the TB-30 Epsilon and Alphajet E, enabled air force fighter pilot training to be conducted exclusively on the Pilatus PC-21, reducing training duration and costs.

However, in 2020, the air force identified shortcomings in the Cirrus SR20/SR22 for initial flight training, describing them as "very limited in their evolutions in the third dimension." In response, the Mentor 2 project was developed to replace both the Cirrus SR20/SR22 and Grob G120.

The project aimed to reduce the student pilot training course by three and a half months. Drawing lessons from prior challenges, such as the brief use of the Embraer 312F due to its limited high-altitude flight envelope, the air force emphasised that the new aircraft must have performance compatible with medium-altitude operations.

Babcock France stated that this programme will create approximately 100 jobs between Salon-de-Provence and Le Cannet-des-Maures. It is expected to deliver around 11,000 flight hours and 6,500 simulator training hours annually for approximately 120 student pilots.

The implications of this development for the École d'Aéronautique Navale (EOPAN, Naval Aeronautics Pilot Cadet) curriculum are yet to be determined. Currently, EOPAN training begins with flight selection on Cap 10 aircraft operated by Squadron 50S at the Lanvéoc-Poulmic naval base.

Fonte: https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/france-selects-pilatus-pc-7-mk-x-for-initial-training

Cumprimentos,

[Get_It]

Nada de novo; talvez com a excepção da data das primeiras entregas em 2027. Comunicado da Pilatus:

French Air and Space Force buys 22 PC-7 MKX Aircraft for Basic Military Pilot Training
(5 de Março de 2025)

The French Procurement Agency, Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), has selected the PC-7 MKX as the new training system for the French Air and Space Force. The fleet of 22 PC-7 MKXs will be used to provide basic training for military pilots – deliveries are scheduled for 2027.

In the early days of 2025, Babcock France won the prestigious "Mentor 2" tender and a 17-year contract to provide training services based on the PC-7 MKX.

Besides the 22 aircraft, the package will also include ground-based training tools to be provided partly in collaboration with French industry. Pilatus will supply simulators, computer-based training and mission planning and debriefing system equipment.

The Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace has provided advanced military pilot training on the Pilatus PC-21 and associated training system at the Base Aérienne 709 in Cognac-Châteaubernard since 2018. Pilots now train on 26 PC-21s which were acquired in two batches. With the introduction of the PC-7 MKX for basic training, France will now make exclusive use of Pilatus trainers for all phases of military pilot training.

The Pilatus PC-7 MKX platform features a new cockpit design based on the Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics suite. It is also equipped with a Head-Up Display. With Pilatus' proven expertise in developing pilot training systems, the result is an exceptionally reliable and intuitive avionics system designed to provide an ideal training environment from the earliest stages of training. This co-development marks the first time Garmin has integrated its G3000 PRIME technology to enable the use of custom user-defined displays. Leveraging the strengths of both companies, the DNA of Pilatus' military pilot training philosophy has been fused with Garmin's adaptability and open system architecture expertise to produce a state-of-the-art avionics suite set to revolutionize the military training market.

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, commented on the contract as follows: "It's a great honor to have been selected once again by our valued customer, France, and we are very proud – thank you sincerely, France!" The PC-7 MKXs will also be equipped with a Head-Up Display, an additional feature which will enable a high degree of commonality between the PC-7 MKX and the PC-21. The newly developed, state-of-the-art Ground Based Training System, including simulators, also meets the highest requirements and offers cost-efficient basic training for the military pilots of the 'Grande Nation'."

Ioannis Papachristofilou, Vice President Government Aviation at Pilatus, adds: "The French Air and Space Force will be along the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the first two operators introducing the new PC-7 MKX into service. We are looking forward to working closely with Babcock France in the delivery and operation of the new training system, and we aim to achieve the same level of success as for the PC-21."

Fonte: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en/news/french-air-and-space-force-buys-22-pc-7-mkx-aircraft-for-basic-military-pilot-training

Cumprimentos,

[Cabeça de Martelo]

EurAsian Times

🚀 Rafale F5: The ‘Super Rafale’ is Coming! 🇫🇷

Dassault Aviation is developing the Rafale F5, featuring hypersonic missiles, a stealthy loyal wingman, and upgraded engines. Set for induction by 2030, it brings next-gen capabilities to the battlefield.

@SakshiiTiwarii  writes an overview of the programme:



1️⃣ Dassault Aviation is developing the Rafale F5, an advanced variant of the fighter jet set to enter service by 2030. It will feature more powerful engines, a loyal wingman drone, and nuclear-armed hypersonic missiles.

2️⃣ The F5 variant will fly alongside a massive stealthy UCAV, more than twice the size of the nEUROn drone. This manned-unmanned teaming concept will enhance combat capabilities and survivability.



3️⃣ The ASN4G hypersonic missile, under development by MBDA, will replace the ASMP nuclear missile. This scramjet-powered weapon will bolster France’s nuclear deterrence and long-range strike capabilities.



4️⃣ A more powerful M88 engine upgrade (Project T-Rex) is in the works, improving thrust without altering the Rafale’s fundamental design. This ensures greater performance while maintaining its compact size.



5️⃣ The Rafale F5 will feature SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) capabilities, new anti-radiation missiles, and advanced jammers to counter enemy air defenses. This adds an offensive edge against modern threats.

6️⃣ The Super Rafale will act as a tactical flying command post, integrating AI-driven sensor fusion, advanced data links, and next-gen electronic warfare systems—bringing it closer to 5th-gen aircraft capabilities.

7️⃣ With Rafale’s success in the export market, experts suggest India should consider acquiring or co-developing the F5 variant as a stopgap until the AMCA is ready. The IAF is already expected to sign a deal for the maritime Rafale.

🔹 The Rafale F5 is set to be one of the most advanced 4.5+ gen fighters before the arrival of France’s 6th-gen Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

🔹 Will India consider the F5 variant to bridge its airpower gap with China? 🇮🇳

Artigo completo: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/rafale-fighters-to-get-nuclear-armed-hypersoni/?amp

[Get_It]

Two Patrouille de France' Alpha Jets collide
(25 de Março de 2025)

An accident occurred between two Alpha Jets this Tuesday, 25 March 2025, in Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne), where the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force) demoteam Patrouille de France was conducting rehearsals, announced Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu on X. The minister indicated that emergency services are on site.

The two pilots found near Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier "are safe and sound," according to the entourage of the mayor of Saint-Dizier, speaking to franceinfo this Tuesday.

The two aircraft "presumably collided" at 3:35 p.m. near the air base, the Air and Space Force told Agence France Presse. The two pilots and one passenger were able to eject and were "found conscious," according to the same source.

Fonte: https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/two-patrouille-de-france-alpha-jets-collide

Cumprimentos,