France conducts first F4-1 Rafale test campaign
F4-1 Rafale test flight. (Photo: Ministère des Armées)
The French Directorate General of Armament carried out the first F4-1 Rafale test campaign.
From 26 to 29 April, the Directorate General of Armament (DGA) conducted the first F4-1 Rafale test campaign.
The F4 standard will include helmet viewfinder capacity, the Mica NG and the 1000kg AASM bomb.
The campaign consisted of eight complex missions representing 50 aircraft sorties and was carried out by crews from the DGA, French Navy, French Air Force and Dassault Aviation.
They allowed two Rafale to be inserted into the current development state of the F4-1 standard in a large-scale aerial system, with up to eight aircraft in combat zones for tactical phases and in-flight refuelling slots.
The Rafale F4-1 was tested in a realistic technical-operational framework. The crews, equipped with SCORPION helmet sights, were able to implement the new collaborative combat features.
The aptitude-for-use (RAU) campaign mobilised numerous air assets of the Ministry of the Armed Forces: eight Rafale including two Rafale Marine, two Mirage 2000 and two Alphajet.
Other contributions include; the daily provision of the Mediterranean training area by the Navy and important means of DGA Flight Tests including, specific air control testing, listening rooms and trajectography systems.
Contributors from Dassault Aviation, Thales and MBDA were present to monitor the completion of flight tests in real-time.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Embraer C-390 triumphs in South Korea's transport aircraft competition]()
Embraer C-390 triumphs in South Korea's transport aircraft competition
Embraer's C-390 Millennium has secured a contract with South Korea, outperforming industry rivals such as Lockheed Martin and Airbus, marking a pivotal moment as the nation is set to become the first C-390 customer in Asia.
-
![Irish C295 MPAs fitted with Viasat SATCOM terminals]()
Irish C295 MPAs fitted with Viasat SATCOM terminals
The terminals enable secure, reliable satellite connectivity and support a range of command, control and communication needs for the C295 aircraft, which have roles in maritime patrol, tactical transport, special operations and medical evacuation.
-
![South Korea orders F-35 fighter munitions]()
South Korea orders F-35 fighter munitions
The US has greenlit a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to South Korea, entailing a package of F-35 ammunition valued at around $271 million.
-
![Lithuania orders three Airbus H145 helicopters for various roles]()
Lithuania orders three Airbus H145 helicopters for various roles
Lithuania has secured a deal with Airbus Helicopters for three H145M multi-mission aircraft for special forces operations and other roles, as part of the country's attempt to strengthen its defence capabilities.
-
![UK P-8 Poseidons to get Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes]()
UK P-8 Poseidons to get Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes
The UK MoD has confirmed the selection of the BAE Systems Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo as the future torpedo capability for its P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet, alongside the US Navy's Mk54 weapon.
-
![Canada orders 14 Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft]()
Canada orders 14 Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft
Canada will purchase 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft to replace its ageing CP-140 Aurora fleet, joining Australia, New Zealand, US and UK as an operator of the aircraft type.
