I would mention that the F-35 has all of these systems too but yes.
It does supposedly incorporate lessons from Storm Shadow so it will have some degree of RCS reduction particularly as only 2 of the 4 aircraft that use it have semi-recessed pylons (EF and KF-21).
It is useful for targeting, slight double edged sword as it uses a Laser rangefinder for ranging and both the F-35 and Rafale have LWS, but then again does it matter if both of them know each-other is there anyway, for guiding something like a MICA IR it should be fine regardless.
Yes, would be more useful against the F-22 which lacks those systems.
yup, double edge as you say.
I think (but i can’t say for sure, so take it with a pinch of salt) the OSF can also guide MICA EM and Meteors. Although probably with a non optimal range compared to your usual non stealth target tracked by the radar
It can guide both using datalink, although the Rafale has 1-way datalink which is worse than 2-way datalink and I read it (1-way) cannot provide effective if any guidance during the terminal phase (when the missile may otherwise be pitbull which is when the Rafale would need it the most in our hypothetical), but I’m not sure how true it is about the 1-way datalink not being able to provide terminal guidance, so do take it with a pinch of salt.
Unfortunately the OSF can only guide the MICA IR and the eventual MICA NG IR.
Wait it can’t guide the EM?
I was sure it could that is definitely news to me. Maybe that’s based on a faulty assumption on my part.
MBDA stated OSF can guide MICA IR through laser. But made no mentions of MICA EM or Meteor.
I have updated / replaced almost all pictures in the OP; planning to add more soon.
from my understanding, the data given by OSF, radar and other sensors are fusionned. So long as a sensor gives you a bearing and range, you can theorically give this data to any missile through datalink, be it IR or Radar guided.
This article mentions it (in french) : Rafale, toute la puissance de la fusion de données
It mentions the MICA IR can be used as a sensor itself, so long as it’s attached to the aircraft, not that it can guide exclusively the MICA IR.
Now obviously, assuming the data sent by the OSF to the EMTI is enough to guide a MICA EM or a METEOR, it will still be degraded, since the OSF probably has a worst range relative to the RBE2 AESA against a non stealth target
Here’s the link to the PDF
Just to get back on this, and even if i’m fairly certain this video is not a source in itself :
In this sequence (starting at 8’33"), ATE, who used to be pilot on Rafale M and SUE, mentions the RBE2 AESA, the meteor missile, and stealth planes. One sentence is “if you [the “baddies” in this context] switch your afterburner on, you’ll be seen ([through OSF, he mentions it before] and we [the “goodies”] will be able to shoot a meteor”.
NOTE : subtitles are available for non french speakers
This means that shooting a meteor through OSF only is most likely possible, although probably not as efficient as using the radar since i’d guess OSF has less range than radar itself
I’ll have to look for more official sources then for bug-reporting. This changed my mind, thanks.
my pleasure,
i’ll look for some myself when i have sometime, and get back to you if i have anything ;)
Yeah, more clarification is needed because it seems from what he is saying, only the IRST is needed in order to guide the Meteor.
À but before he mentions the entire optical system, so not only the IRST but also the camera string next to it.
a few sources i got along the way, not exactly what i was looking for unfortunately :
This allows for detection up to 100 km and tracking, ranging and identification at 40+ km (source 1). Meteo conditions for this data were not given. Seing as OSF can give a bearing and a range (through laser telemetry) i’m pretty sure it can be used to guide anything, but not 100% certain still
Thales brochure (source 2 & 3) specifies OSF can be used for detection, identification, tracking and engagement in air-to-air mode. Unfortunately, they do not specify what missile exactly.
Finally, one interesting thing i encountered while searching for this was, apparently, you can fire a missile passively using SPECTRA (RWR), It is mentionned in the article (source 4). I would still take it with a pinch of salt, considering the article is pretty old and no other source mentions this.
At the end of the day, be it through OSF or spectra, it is still a “degraded” engagement mode, since you can’t really use the full range of a meteor for example.
Source 1 : Optronique & Défense » Optronique Secteur Frontal du Rafale
Source 2 : https://omnirole-rafale.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fiche-Rafale-FR.pdf
Source 3 : L’IRST, la solution silencieuse pour une détection de haut vol | Thales Group
Source 4 : https://www.portail-aviation.com/blog/2013/04/10/rafale-lancer-un-missile-em-radar/
I will expect the lobbies to look like the first image when the Rafale finally drops
And if not; we will just create a user mission with some players, to make a Rafale propaganda video for YouTube )))
Count me in as soon as it will be unlocked ^^"
