From AdlA to AdlAedlE. I'm sure that'll make everything clearer.The Armée de l'Air is dead and gone, consigned to history. It on 11th September 2020 it became the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace - The French Air and Space Force.
French Air Force changes name as it looks to the stars
The French Air Force has changed its name and its logo.www.defensenews.com
French Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace News & Discussion
- Thread starter RobWilliams
- Start date
They've done that just to confuse le perfidious albion even more
The French Air and Space Force performed a long-range power projection exercise last week.
In this exercise called HEIFARA a group of 3 Rafale F3R and 2 A400M Atlas supported by 2 A330 MRTT Phenix flew from France to Tahiti (French Polynesia) over a distance of 17,000 km, performed an initial entry raid into contested airspace culminating in tactical strikes, then after "securing" an airfield - 39 hours after departure from France - performed high-intensity missions with 40 sorties over the next 5 days - reconnaissance, escort and strike sorties for the Rafales, tactical transport, SAR and (real) logistics missions for the A400M; including support missions for army ground forces and French Navy in the theater.
The A330MRTT, besides air-to-air refueling, also transported a company-sized expeditionary ground support element and upon entry to the theater established a satcom datalink for direct reachback from the fighters to a command center established in Lyon. The two A400M took along 30 tons of material from France to Tahiti.
The flight to Tahiti was performed with a single stopover in California, also establishing the longest-duration nonstop flight for Rafales so far - 12 hours for about 10,000 km, with 7 air-to-air refuelings.
HEIFARA is a test exercise, and part of an escalating series of similar missions over the past couple years, representing an important step in them. The target is to perform a full-scale exercise in 2023 that will test the full power projection level of ambition of the AdAedE. That level of ambition is to project a combat force of 20 Rafales over a distance of 20,000 km - i.e. globally - within 48 hours at any time, supported by up to 10 A330 MRTT.
You can find a detailed official press dossier on the exercise here (in English).
Official teaser video:
In this exercise called HEIFARA a group of 3 Rafale F3R and 2 A400M Atlas supported by 2 A330 MRTT Phenix flew from France to Tahiti (French Polynesia) over a distance of 17,000 km, performed an initial entry raid into contested airspace culminating in tactical strikes, then after "securing" an airfield - 39 hours after departure from France - performed high-intensity missions with 40 sorties over the next 5 days - reconnaissance, escort and strike sorties for the Rafales, tactical transport, SAR and (real) logistics missions for the A400M; including support missions for army ground forces and French Navy in the theater.
The A330MRTT, besides air-to-air refueling, also transported a company-sized expeditionary ground support element and upon entry to the theater established a satcom datalink for direct reachback from the fighters to a command center established in Lyon. The two A400M took along 30 tons of material from France to Tahiti.
The flight to Tahiti was performed with a single stopover in California, also establishing the longest-duration nonstop flight for Rafales so far - 12 hours for about 10,000 km, with 7 air-to-air refuelings.
HEIFARA is a test exercise, and part of an escalating series of similar missions over the past couple years, representing an important step in them. The target is to perform a full-scale exercise in 2023 that will test the full power projection level of ambition of the AdAedE. That level of ambition is to project a combat force of 20 Rafales over a distance of 20,000 km - i.e. globally - within 48 hours at any time, supported by up to 10 A330 MRTT.
You can find a detailed official press dossier on the exercise here (in English).
Official teaser video:
Looks like the French are not having much luck lately , from Daily Sabah:
France cancels meeting with Swiss president over jet order | Daily Sabah
Swiss decide to order the F-35 instead of the Rafale - not sure how this reaction achieves much really.
France cancels meeting with Swiss president over jet order | Daily Sabah
Swiss decide to order the F-35 instead of the Rafale - not sure how this reaction achieves much really.
I have no means of verification but according to a source, both the French government and Parmelin’s office at the economic affairs ministry denied that the meeting had been officially cancelled, stressing that the scheduling had not been completed. “It was never cancelled and especially not due to the reasons mentioned,” the Elysee Palace in Paris said.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
France’s last C-160 Transall begins its farewell tour this week, in a special farewell livery/paintjob.
French AF participation in Exercise Pitch Black 22 in Darwin, Australia. Image Source : ADF Image Library
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
France has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation in a deal worth more than €5 billion (U.S. $5,5 billion). The new aircraft, meant for the Air and Space Force, will be one-seater versions and fitted to the F4 production standard, for which development started in 2018.
One of the reasons these addidtional Rafales are ordered is because the Future Combat Air System, isn’t expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate’s defense committee.
www.scramble.nl
www.defensenews.com
One of the reasons these addidtional Rafales are ordered is because the Future Combat Air System, isn’t expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate’s defense committee.
French Air Force Tranche 5 Rafale fighter aircraft
French Air Force Tranche 5 Rafale fighter aircraft On 12 January 2024, the French Ministry of Defence (MoD) officially announced that late December 2023, the Direction générale de ...
France buys 42 Rafale jets for more than $5.5 billion
The purchase comes as French lawmakers express concerns about the Franco-German project to develop a successor to the fighter.
www.defensenews.com
Ananda
The Bunker Group
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Dasault increases Rafale production to 3 planes monthly. This increase the capacity more than double from historic trend of only 11-16 planes annualy. Raise questions on French Aero Industry supply chain capacities, and also availability of trained Man Power.
This seems related to potential new order not only from existing customers, but also from new ones in Gulf and Asia. The article practically state that this will bring Dasault capacity close to US and China fighter production line. Still even if with production line increase to 3 planes monthly, this still bring new customers order being delivered around 60 months delivery (my calculation base on recent new orders).
Not bad for Fighter project that some pundits just less then a decade ago, believe already loosing competition.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
The renovated Mirage 2000D is officially operational. A fleet of 50 modernised aircraft will be in service by the end of 2025 from Air Base 133 in Nancy-Ochey.
The decade-long mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme was launched in 2015 and shall keep the Mirage 2000D operational beyond 2030.
www.flightglobal.com
The decade-long mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme was launched in 2015 and shall keep the Mirage 2000D operational beyond 2030.
Dassault secures 14-year Mirage 2000 maintenance deal for French air force
Dassault Aviation has been awarded a long-term contract to maintain the French air force's Mirage 2000-series combat aircraft until their retirement next decade.
www.flightglobal.com