Image source: topwar.ru
According to the plans of the French Ministry of Defense, by 2035, the country's Air Force should be supplied with 47 aircraft in a promising modification of the Rafale F5. According to local observers, apparently, it will not be possible to meet these deadlines.:
As the manufacturer of the Dassault Aviation fighter explained in July, "aircraft commissioning is expected between 2033 and 2035." The other day, the Ministry of Defense announced that the military department had concluded the first few key contracts with subcontractors, which, in particular, relate to the engine (with Safran Aircraft Engines), radar (with Thales) and self-defense complex (with Thales and MBDA), thereby starting the actual implementation of the project.
Safran designates the new M88 T-REX powerplant as "an evolution of the M88 engine that will take advantage of the proven reliability and performance of the M88 while expanding its capabilities by increasing thrust with an afterburner." However, developing a new version is expected to be a difficult procedure.:
Rafale with the "faithful wingman" nEUROn from Dassault:
Image source: topwar.ru
The aircraft will receive a new RBE2 XG radar, which will use gallium nitride (GaN) components. The new element base will provide increased radar computing power and increase detection capabilities by 70% compared to the current dual-plane RBE2 radar of the Rafale fighter, which consists of gallium arsenide (GaAs) modules.
It is likely that the fighter will be equipped with an optoelectronics system for the front sector (OSF), which will complement the RBE2 XG. It will be able to operate in the "silent killer" mode, which will allow it to detect inconspicuous targets in the infrared range.
The aircraft's fire control, protection and collision avoidance system (SPECTRA) will switch to a fully digital detection system.
As previously stated by General Jerome Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Rafale F5 will have nothing in common with its predecessors.:
