Military Technology 05/2021

56 · MT 5/2021 Feature have not been disclosed, the FALCON 8X ARCHANGE seems sized for acting as a high-value asset behind the lines, probably in cooperation with UAS carrying electronic payloads such as the MALE 2025, or effec- tors known as remote carriers/loyal wingmen already under development for the SCAF/FCAS programme. In effect, ARCHANGE will have to be encompassed within the broader defence-wide architecture including a nation-wide combat cloud that will enable – amongst other – all assets to contribute and/or benefit from information on enemy electromagnetic activities. Hence, ARCHANGE will become a key node for EW, by allowing air, land, and sea assets to keep their libraries up to date in near-real time. Final Remarks Dassault Aviation is a leader in the market for special mission aircraft. Often, early developments have been pushed by the French armed forces for their own needs, thus paving the way for international markets. Thales’, Safran’s, and Naval Group’s expanding capabilities in sensors and mission systems have further enhanced Dassault’s ability to propose comprehensive solutions. Hence, the increase in demand for ISR assets finds Dassault Aviation ready to propose modular solutions, ranging from FALCON 2000 to the latest FALCON 10X (the largest of the family). It is likely that FALCON models and versions will have to continue to compete with best sellers such as the GULFSTREAM and the KING AIR families of ISR aircraft. However, innovations brought about by the AVISMAR and ARCHANGE programmes are likely to provide customised solutions for the most demanding requirements. As France develops a nation-wide cloud and has launched a national research programme for artificial intel- ligence, it is likely that ISR aircraft will be offered as part of larger agree- ments, also including Thales, Safran, Naval Group, and medium-sixed companies. As far as the aircraft themselves are concerned, the FALCON 2000XLS and FALCON 900 are now complemented by the FALCON 8X and, potentially, by new 6X and 10X models, depending on the client’s budget and desired range of action. mission suites. Pictures taken by spotters unveil a modified airframe fea- turing a ventral radome, probably containing an ELINT antenna, and a dozen COMINT antennas under the fuselage and wings and on the tail. Technology is mainly Korean, thus providing the country with some de- gree of independence from US-produced assets in electronic intelligence gathering. The Korean experiment demonstrates FALCON’s flexibility, but also reveals the high costs of aircraft of this kind. After the first order for two aircraft in 2012, the current contract for a further four aircraft, now being implemented, is valued at some $2 billion ( € 1.7 billion). This might explain why the Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) has decided on a dif- ferent approach. In its effort to modernise its SIGINT capabilities, currently based prin- cipally on two aging C-160 GABRIEL ISR aircraft, France has opted for a hi-low mix. For tactical ISR tasks, it has procured two KING AIR 350 VADOR light ISR aircraft, with a third to come in 2023, and with a total fleet of eight examples anticipated by 2030. Furthermore, in December 2019, the Directorate General of Armaments contracted the ARCHANGE [Avion de Renseignement à CHArge utile de Nouvelle GEnération - New Generation Payload Intelligence Aircraft] strategic intelligence aircraft programme. It will be based on three FALCON 8X aircraft equipped with a Universal Electronic Warfare Capability (CUGE in French), developed by Thales. The order for the first two aircraft has been placed, with a third aircraft remaining on option. The level of performance expected from the FALCON ARCHANGE re- quires very thorough integration work, which is at the heart of Dassault Aviation’s and Thales’ expertise. The FALCON 8X tri-jet is one of the latest additions to the FALCON range. In its business jet version, it can carry eight passengers with a crew of three, over an 12,000km range. It is equipped with digital flight controls directly derived from the experi- ence acquired by Dassault Aviation on the MIRAGE 2000 and RAFALE programmes. In comparison to assets based on FALCON 2000, the ARCHANGE project is larger – and more ambitious. The aircraft will have potential for further growth in both capacity and role. Even though details A FALCON 900 in the MPA variant as psoposed by Dassault. Photos: Dassault Aviation except where stated otherwise) A FALCON 2000 MPA engaged on a mission. A FALCON 2000 built for the Japanese Coast Guard. An artist’s impression of the ARCHANGE platform, based on the FALCON 8X.