Julian Moxon/PARIS
The first series production two-seat Dassault Rafale fighter has flown as the French Government prepares to place a firm multiyear order for 28 aircraft, plus 20 options.
The order, delayed considerably during negotiations over the future of Dassault and the Government's demand for cost reductions, will give the Rafale badly needed credibility as it seeks its first export order. Four major sales efforts are under way, in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, but sources say potential buyers are interested only in the "fully multirole", known as the F4 configuration, which is not yet available.
The first production aircraft, the air combat Rafale B301, will remain in development "for the foreseeable future" to enable accelerated development of the F4standard. The proposal also saves money through the use of a series production aircraft which is already close to the required air force configuration.
The Rafale B310 is one of the 13 aircraft ordered to date, comprising three two-seaters for the air force and 10 single-seaters for the Navy. The first naval Rafale is set for delivery in October 1999 and will be followed by further deliveries in 2000, with the first operational seven-aircraft squadron entering service on the carrier Charles de Gaulle in 2001.
The air force receives its first operational aircraft, built to the multirole F2 standard, in 2004,rising to 20 aircraft by the end of 2005. The F2 will be equipped with the Matra Dynamics Mica infrared imaging air-to-air missile and an electro-optical seeker. It will have air-to-ground radar modes, leading to the F3 standard, capable of a more complex air-to-ground role. Development of this of aircraft is not due to begin until 2003.
The F3 is the final standard of aircraft destined for the French air force before the F4 becomes available as a midlife update around 2010. Such an aircraft should be in the export market before then, although the exact timing depends on the availability of new technologies such as sensor fusion.
Source: Flight International
