Neuilly-sur-Seine - In February, Thales delivered the first
series-produced RBE2 radar with active electronically
scanned array (AESA) to the Dassault Aviation facility in
Mérignac, France. The radar will now be installed on Rafale
C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is
scheduled for delivery to the French defence procurement
agency (DGA) this summer. A comprehensive three-month
flight test programme conducted with the first production
RBE2 AESA radar at the Istres air base demonstrated the
qualities of the radar and confirmed the expected levels of
performance prior to delivery to Dassault Aviation.
The RBE2 AESA radar was delivered in line with the
contract schedule, demonstrating the new radar's
technological maturity and further consolidating Thales's
European leadership in radars for combat aircraft.
The RBE2 AESA will give the Rafale a number of key
advantages:
Extended range for full compatibility with the
latest-generation long-range missiles, such as the
Meteor, combined with the ability to detect
low-observable targets
Higher reliability for reduced cost of ownership (no
major maintenance is required on the active array for
10 years)
Waveform agility for high-resolution synthetic aperture
(SAR) imagery and increased resistance to jamming
The Rafale will be the only European combat aircraft
under full-scale production with an active-array radar.
The operational superiority of this omnirole combat
aircraft, which was demonstrated most recently during
Operation Harmattan in Libya, is now further assured for
the full spectrum of French Air Force and Navy missions
relying on the new technology.
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This press release was issued by THALES SA and was initially posted at http://www.thalesgroup.com/Press_Releases/Markets/Defence/2012/30032012_-_Thales_delivers_first_prod uction_RBE2_AESA_radar_to_Dassault_Aviation/?pid=1650 . It was distributed, unedited and unaltered, by noodls on 2012-03-30 13:01:15 PM. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained therein.
Thales is one of the European leaders in manufacturing and marketing of electronic equipment and systems for the defense and security, aerospace, and transportation sectors. Net sales break down by product group as follows:
- defense and security systems (53.4%): C4I defense and security systems (control and monitoring systems, communication, protection, cyber-security, and other systems), defense mission systems, naval systems, electronic war systems, drones, air operation systems (air defense, air surveillance), ground defense systems and missiles;
- aerospace systems (28.4%): avionics equipment (cockpit, cabin multimedia, and simulation equipment), space systems (satellites, payloads, etc.);
- digital identification and security solutions (18.2%).
Besides, the group owns a 35% stake in Naval Group (manufacture of naval equipment for defense and nuclear energy sectors).
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: France (29.5%), the United Kingdom (6.6%), Europe (24.8%), the United States and Canada (14%), Asia (9.4%), Near and Middle East (6%), Australia and New Zealand (4.4%) and other (5.3%).