AESA Ready, Rafale Tests Meteor BVRAAM

On October 4 and 10, a Dassault Rafale (tail number B301), successfully tested two MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles. The aircraft was operating from the Cazaux DGA Flight Test Center in South-Western France.
In October 2012, the RAFALE omnirole fighter reached tw o majormilestones: the first delivery of a production aircraft equipped with the first production RBE2 AESA radar, and the initial successful testing of the new-generation, very long-range, METEOR air-to-air missile,” a spokesperson for the company said.

The IAF leadership has also showered praise on the Rafale recently. In an interview to Air Marshal Vinod Bhatia of SP’s Aviation magazine, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne has said, “The Rafale is a combat-proven fourth generation+ swing role aircraft equipped with high technology sensors and electronic warfare (EW) suite, including a state-of-the-art AESA radar. The robust system architecture capable of data fusion, along with an outstanding weapon carrying capability gives the Rafale true versatility to undertake a wide range of operational missions. The combat capabilities of the Rafale were adequately proven in the recent air operations in Libya. The induction of Rafale in the IAF along with associated weaponry will indeed prove to be a game-changer in the IAF’s combat capability.

16 thoughts on “AESA Ready, Rafale Tests Meteor BVRAAM”

  1. yep ! after taht, come later DEDIRA and INCAS project. with that, rafale get the level to be va very good alternativ to F35 stealth jet fighter.

    Air & Cosmos source, More details about the RCS reduction program, now officialy named DEDIRA (Descreet Rafale Demonstrator), are also revealed by Air and Cosmos : in addition to the INCAS program to improved the SPECTRA suite, the air intake shape could be modified and conformal weapon containers could be used to hide weapons. New RAM technology is also considered. All in all, this looks very much like the "silent Hornet" pack developed by Boeing for the F/A-18E and presented as an operational less expensive alternative to the F-35 full stealth approach.

  2. Another reason to stop ordering MKI, Mig-29's, M-2000 and Jaguar refits, and the infamous T-50 russian stuff.

    My guess is that this sane move will save us at least 20 billion dollars (and another 100 billion over lifetime). We can do a direct deposit of 10 billion to both Congress and BJP accounts. Even this option is great!

    Focus on LCA, Rafale and Agni-x short term; Develop AMCA and Drones for long term.

  3. That's a great one two punch from Dassault – reaching two major milestones in one month ! Take that EADS.
    With the Brazilian decision just around the corner ( Q1 of 2013) , the French are pulling out all the stops.

    There's another piece of good news that's trickling out on the JAG power plant upgrade front. There's confirmation from the Indian side that the single vendor RFP for the Jaguar re-engining project has been issued to Honeywell on Oct15th.

  4. India should scrap the deal to purchase fgfa and instead go for f 35 which is ready now. Fgfa will only be ready in 2050 ( as per the name indicate t 50). Mmrca deal needs to be sealed soon.

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