France has carried out the maiden flight of the Archange (Archangel) signals intelligence aircraft, addressing a gap in airborne intelligence capabilities left by the early retirement of two spy planes.
Ordered in 2019, three Archange planes will be delivered by 2030, enhancing the country’s signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities.
Their predecessors, the two Transall C-160G Gabriel signals intelligence aircraft, were retired in 2022 — three years earlier than originally planned.
Next-Gen Capability
The new platforms are based on the Dassault Aviation Falcon 8X and are equipped with Thales’ new-generation payload CUGE (universal electronic warfare capability).
CUGE uses multi-polarization antennas to simultaneously detect and analyze radar and communication signals, enhancing the aircraft’s operational effectiveness.
Moreover, artificial intelligence enables automatic data processing, offering real-time threat assessments and countermeasure recommendations.
The program also includes a ground-based training platform.
“The ability to anticipate developments is key to national security, and reliable intelligence is, therefore, a critical requirement to understand the risks and inform operational decisions,” Archange program director for Thales Nadim Traboulsi explained in 2019.
Extended Range
The business version of Falcon 8X can carry eight passengers and three crew members over a range of 6,450 nautical miles (11,945 kilometers/7,422 miles).
In comparison, the C-160’s range — with maximum fuel and without payload — is 4,783 nautical miles (8,858 kilometers/5,504 miles).
Furthermore, the new aircraft is fitted with the advanced FalconEye combined vision system featuring six fourth-generation multi-sensor cameras, ensuring all-weather situational awareness, including in fog, mist, and snow.
Capability Gap
France’s current electronic warfare and intelligence-gathering capabilities rely on a combination of platforms, including the ASTAC pod mounted on Mirage 2000D aircraft, CERES signals intelligence satellites, the VADOR light surveillance aircraft, and four E-3F airborne warning and control system aircraft.
The French Air and Space Force has leased a Saab 340 aircraft under the SOLAR program as an interim solution to address the gap left by the early retirement of the C-160G Gabriel aircraft.
However, the capabilities of the Saab 340 are “a notch below” those of the C-160G Gabriel, according to Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, General Jérôme Bellanger.
But “we’re still doing a lot. We’re flying a few hundred hours a year, […] even if we have problems with the MTI SAR radar, which we compensate for with the ALSR,” Opex360 quoted him saying during a parliamentary hearing.
The first Gabriel aircraft entered service in 1967, and the second 22 years later in 1989.
They were tasked with detecting, locating, and identifying enemy radar, radio, and communications networks, particularly air traffic control radar, military air surveillance and early warning systems, air defense radar, and counter-battery radar.
