Dassault and Thales Awarded Archange Contract | Aviation International News

Dassault and Thales Awarded Archange Contract

The French government has ordered the first two Falcon-based platforms to replace aging Transall Gabriels in the Sigint-gathering role.

This impression shows the Falcon Archange, with a fairing housing the antennas of the CUGE system and blocked-out cabin windows. (photo: Dassault)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

January 14, 2020

France’s Direction Générale de l’Armament (DGA) has awarded a contract to Dassault Aviation and Thales to equip two Dassault Falcon 8X business jets with the Thales Capacité Universelle de Guerre Electronique (CUGE, universal electronic warfare capability) signals intelligence (Sigint) suite. The contract was awarded on December 30 and announced jointly by the companies on January 14.

Launched in February 2018, the program for a Falcon-based Sigint aircraft was then known as Epicure, and at the time the specific model of Falcon platform had not been finalized. While the initial contract is for two aircraft, the stated requirement is for three, and a contract for a third aircraft is expected. The system is due to enter service in 2025. The French air force currently uses two C-160G Gabriels for Sigint, flying with Escadron Electronique Aéroporté 00.054 “Dunkerque” at Evreux-Fauville.

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