Fransk SIGINT går ned i størrelse - Fra Transall C-160 til Falcon - AIN

France Launches New Sigint Aircraft Program

On February 28 the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced a new strategic electronic intelligence aircraft program to replace the two aging Transall C-160G Gabriel aircraft that currently perform the mission for the Armée de l’Air. Known as Epicure, the new aircraft will employ a Dassault Falcon business jet as its platform. For several years, Dassault and its primary electronics partner, Thales, have discussed a new signals intelligence (Sigint) platform based on the Falcon series, noting that electronics have shrunk in size, weight, and power requirements to the point that systems with the capabilities of the Gabriel can be tailored to smaller and more efficient business jets. Greater automation and datalinking capability have also allowed crew sizes to be much reduced. Read More