Scorpion to aid Rafale mission effectiveness
Rafale aircraft in French service with receive new helmet-mounted sights and multifunction cockpit displays. (Photo: Thales)
DGA orders new helmet-mounted pilot sights and multifunction displays from Thales for Rafale multirole fighters.
Thales is providing new avionics equipment for Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft in service with the French Air and Space Force and French Navy.
The company announced on 22 July that it will supply 350 Scorpion helmet-mounted sight and display systems and 400 digital multifunction displays (MFDs) under a contract from French defence procurement agency DGA.
The value of the deal was undisclosed.
‘This new equipment will further enhance the operational effectiveness of the Rafale F4 standard,’ Thales noted, adding that the Scorpion systems and MFDs will ‘deliver enhanced tactical situational awareness and slave the weapon or mission systems to the pilot’s line of sight to improve the effectiveness of air operations’.
The 400 digital multi-function displays on order will replace lateral displays on in-service French Rafale aircraft. The new equipment offers a larger display area, an improved touchscreen interface and greater processing power.
With its display symbology, Scorpion blends diverse information from onboard sensors. ‘Coupled with the weapon system, the display can be used to designate and track targets anywhere in the crew's field of view in daylight and at night,’ Thales claimed.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets]()
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
![US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets]()
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.
-
![Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped]()
Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped
BAE Systems Air business has reaffirmed its commitment to the Typhoon programme as union representatives from the company urge the UK government to order 24 Typhoon jets.
