Shaping tomorrow’s programs
We have learned how to plan well ahead and match the pace of innovation to that of development projects to successfully complete complex programs that meet our customers’ evolving needs, on time and on budget.
Industrial architect
In our capacity as an industrial architect, we support our customers and partners by managing the entire life cycle of each program. Guarantor of the system's underlying fundamentals and its development, the industrial architect is responsible for assessing the technological challenges as well as the scope and sharing of tasks between partners. The added value we provide lies in our ability to manage, coordinate and guarantee the ultimate efficacy of complex programs.
New Generation Fighter
We are the leading industrial partner in the European New Generation Fighter (NGF) program, a mainstay of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). On the basis of the concept study contract signed in January 2019, France and Germany officially announced the initial framework contract to develop the NGF demonstrator in February 2020.
Dassault Aviation and Airbus have been partnering on this program since April 2018. A networked system, the FCAS will include the NGF, existing fighters, UAVs, cruise missiles, satellites, surveillance aircraft, along with land and naval systems.
Evolving Rafale
The Rafale continues to surge ahead thanks to a combination of technological advances and user feedback. Its F3-R standard, launched in 2014, entered initial operational capability (IOC) in December 2019. It will be followed by the F4 standard: starting in 2022 for certain functions, with full capability scheduled for 2024. The F4 standard focuses on connectivity, survivability, combat engagement capabilities and dispatch reliability.
New Falcons
The Falcon 6X program was launched in February 2018 for entry into service (EIS) in 2022. Its progress is on schedule. At the same time, we are developing a Future Falcon.
Special-mission Falcons
The Archange airborne strategic intelligence program was officially announced in December 2019. It will be based on three Falcon 8X aircraft incorporating electronic warfare systems designed by Thales. Two of the three planned Falcon Archange aircraft have already been ordered. Since the end of 2018, we have been carrying out preliminary studies for the Falcon Albatros maritime intervention and surveillance system (AVSIMAR), based on the Falcon 2000LXS. This aircraft is intended to replace the French Navy’s Falcon 200 and 50M.
Partnering on drones
The nEUROn, launched in 2012, is the first stealth combat drone (UCAV) to date to be developed as part of a joint European program. Tests of this UCAV have generated invaluable data, especially in terms of advanced stealth. These tests have generated very useful data and will continue. Eurodrone, the European medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, was unveiled in April 2018. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space, with Dassault Aviation and Leonardo as partners, its preliminary design review has been validated.
Space expertise
In addition to pyrotechnics and telemetry, our range of expertise includes aerothermodynamics, flight controls and systems integration. These are the areas in which we contribute to the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Rider program. We are also equipped to offer in-orbit launch capabilities at very short notice. This expertise enables us to design cutting-edge projects and to support future French and European space activities, which are central to strategic autonomy.