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
-
![FADEA rolls out new indigenously made IA-63 Pampa III aircraft for Argentine Air Force]()
FADEA rolls out new indigenously made IA-63 Pampa III aircraft for Argentine Air Force
A new trainer/light attack aircraft for Argentine Air Force is delivered by domestic manufacturer FADEA.
-
![Lockheed Martin to procure long-lead items for Italian F-35 production]()
Lockheed Martin to procure long-lead items for Italian F-35 production
Contract modification for Lockheed Martin covers the procurement of materials for Lot 15 and Lot 16 F-35s for the Italian Air Force.
-
![Bangladesh joins the TB2 club, apparently]()
Bangladesh joins the TB2 club, apparently
Media reports suggest that the Bangladesh military has opted for the hottest UAV on the market at the moment, the Bayraktar TB2.
-
![Boeing gains more work on Saudi SLAM-ERs]()
Boeing gains more work on Saudi SLAM-ERs
Boeing is to provide data link pod assemblies for SLAM-ER missiles destined for Saudi Arabia.
-
![US Air Force orders JASSM-ER conversions]()
US Air Force orders JASSM-ER conversions
Lockheed Martin is to convert AGM-158B JASSM-ER missiles to aid test and simulation activities by the USAF.
