RBE2
| Industry | Defense electronics, Radar systems |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Thomson-CSF RCM division, Dassault Electronique |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Fate | Merged into Thales Group |
| Successor | Thales Group |
| Headquarters | France |
| Parent | Thales Group |
The RBE2 (Radar à Balayage Electronique 2 plans) is a versatile radar system created in the 1990s for the French fighter jet, the Dassault Rafale. The initial version of the RBE2 employs a passive electronically scanned array. This technology was later advanced into the RBE2-AA, which utilizes an active electronically scanned array.
RBE2
The inception of the RBE2 project dates back to 1989 as a collaboration between the RCM division of Thomson-CSF and Dassault Electronique, which later merged in 1998 to become Thomson-CSF Detexis.[1] This development continued under Thomson-CSF’s successor, the Thales Group.[2]
The RBE2 is characterized as a passive electronically scanned array radar system featuring a single transmitter. Its flight testing commenced in 1992, and the first unit was delivered for production use in May 1997.[3][4]
RBE2-AA
In April 2002, the French defense procurement agency, Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA), commissioned Thales Group to develop an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar demonstrator derived from the original RBE2. This led to the creation of the RBE2-AA variant, which underwent testing aboard a Mirage 2000 test aircraft at the DGA Flight Test Center, followed by trials on a Rafale. Early tests employed American transmitter-receiver components; however, the current radar incorporates modules produced by Thales itself. The system is equipped with roughly 838 GaAs transmitter-receiver units.
By July 2004, the DGA had awarded a €90 million contract for developing a second AESA radar demonstrator. Production of the RBE2-AA began in 2008, with operational deployment starting in 2013.[5][6]
RBE2-XG
The RBE2-XG represents the next step in the advancement of the RBE2-AA radar system. Developed by Thales, this radar employs GaN technology within an AESA framework, reportedly delivering up to a 30% enhancement in detection range compared to its predecessor. It also features improved processing capabilities for managing multiple simultaneous targets and exhibits increased resilience against electronic countermeasures such as jamming and active decoys.
As of 2025, the development timeline has experienced an eight-year delay, with integration expected to commence only by 2027.
See also
References
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ (June, 2002) Europe targets cockpits, sensors. Aerospace America.
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ (November 4, 2008). Flying the flag for Rafale. Flight International.
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).