France awards first Rafale F5 contracts
France awarded Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran and Thales the first industrial contracts supporting the Rafale F5 standard, with values undisclosed. Initial work covers the inertial unit, M88 T-REX engine, RBE2-XG radar, self-protection suite and resilient inter-vehicle data link ahead of full development. F5 is planned to integrate the ASN4G nuclear missile, additional conventional weapons, artificial intelligence and collaborative operations with a stealth combat drone. Qualification is expected around 2033, while current planning calls for 47 operational F5 aircraft for France’s Strategic Air Forces by 2035.
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