The International Rafale forum

This is a thread about the next generation of Rafale.

The 3d batch is now being delivered, the fourth will arrive in 2012 with AESA, DDM-NG, new OSF, Meteor etc.

But it's time to write about what will come after (I expect for 2018-2020).

Today, Air & Cosmos reveals that there are plans for a stealthy demonstrator of Rafale. Something about active stealth, and other means.

There is also a bit about Nigh/Day aircraft identification.

News again :

The fifth batch will have :

• GaN modules instead of AsGa for Spectra, for better jamming capabilities, and improved band coverage ;
• possibly GaN modules for the radar too ;
• maybe conformal arrays ;
• additionnal jamming capabilities in the radar (up to now, this task is handled by Spectra alone).

In addition, we learn that Spectra already costs at least €3Bn in developpement.
This would confirm the claim according to which Spectra cost between a quarter and a third of the whole aircraft.

At last, DDM NG (for the fourth batch) is DIRCM-ready, and has a (passive) all around surveillance capability.