- Yes
- No
Hello everyone and welcome to this new suggestion!
Today I’m presenting an extremely unique weapon used by the French armed forces: the CEM-1 multiple weapon pod.
French aircraft, while very high-performing, often face a problem: a lack of weapon pylons. Indeed, most Dassault aircraft don’t have enough weapon pylons to carry the amount of weaponry that comparable aircraft from other countries can carry. Therefore, Dassault found a rather original solution to this problem: the CEM-1 multiple weapon pod. Based on the AAA rocket pod (which has 18 68mm rockets in the front section and fuel tanks in the rear), already in service with the French armed forces (particularly on the Mirage III and 5), the CEM-1 replaces the rear fuel tank section with a weapon bay to carry additional munitions, thus increasing the payload capacity of the aircraft. This pod was designed for the French Mirage F1 and Alpha Jet, but the Germans also showed interest in it for their version of the Alpha Jet.
The CEM-1 can carry various types of weapons/equipment in addition to its original rockets. The following configurations are available: 18 x 68mm rockets + 6 BAP-100 for runway disruption missions
- 18 x 68mm rockets + 6 BAT-120 for air support missions
- 18 x 68mm rockets + 2 Durandal bombs for runway disruption missions
- 18 x 68mm rockets + 1 250kg SAMP Type 25 or Type 25-200 bomb
- 18 x 68mm rockets + 74mm Alkan countermeasures pod
- 18 x 68mm rockets + training bombs
- 18 x 68mm rockets + camera for reconnaissance missions
These loadouts significantly increase the capabilities of the aircraft that can carry them, allowing them to carry, in addition to their rocket pod, a small number of bombs to enhance their firepower (this configuration is also advantageous from an aerodynamic standpoint, as the additional armament is aligned with the rocket pod). It should be noted that the version with countermeasures is a major advancement, particularly for the Alpha Jet, as the aircraft does not otherwise have this capability.
Dimensions :
- Length: 4550 mm
- Diameter: 410 mm
- Weight:
- Minimum load: 160 kg
- Maximum load: 700 kg
The CEM-1 can be carried on the internal wing pylons of the Alpha Jet, just like on the Mirage F1, allowing each of these aircraft to carry a maximum of two.
In the game, these loadouts would be very interesting, introducing a truly unique weapon system and, above all, providing new capabilities and greater firepower to French aircraft, particularly the Alpha Jet. Obviously, the versions carrying training bombs, cameras, or runway disruption bombs should not be added until these types of weapons are implemented in the game. However, the version carrying a 250kg bomb and the one with countermeasures could be very valuable.
