The Top 5 Aircraft Of The French Air Force

The Air and Space Force unit of the French Armed Forces was formed in 1909 and became an independent military branch in 1934. With over 40,000 personnel, 520 aircraft, and more than 41 satellites, the French Air Force is among the world’s strongest forces. This article explores the top military aircraft in the French Air Force.

1

Dassault Rafale

Multirole jet fighter

• Length: 15.27 m (50 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 10.90 m (35 ft 9 in)
• Height: 5.34 m (17 ft 6 in)
• Max takeoff weight: 24,500 kg (54,013 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Snecma M88-4e turbofans, 50.04 kN (11,250 lbf) thrust each [393] dry, 75 kN (17,000 lbf) with afterburner
• Maximum speed: 1,912 km/h (1,188 mph, 1,032 kn)
• Combat range: 1,850 km (1,150 mi, 1,000 NM)
• Service ceiling: 15,835 m (51,952 ft)

This French twin-engine canard delta-wing jet is unique thanks to its multirole capabilities and modern systems. Designed specifically for the French Air Force, the Rafale performed its first flight in 1991 and entered service in May 2001. With a wide range of mission capabilities, the aircraft remains the backbone of the French Air and Space Force.

Photo: Dassault

According to Dassault Aviation,

“The Rafale participates in permanent “Quick Reaction Alert” (QRA) / air-defence / air policing missions, nuclear deterrence duties, power projection and deployments for external missions, deep strike missions, air support for ground forces, reconnaissance missions, and pilot training sorties.”

The French Air and Space Force has 100 active Dassault Rafale B/C and 185 units on order. The agency will utilize those in different armed units, including the French Navy.

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2

Mirage 2000

Multirole jet fighter

• Length: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 9.13 m (29 ft 11 in)
• Height: 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 41 m2 (440 sq ft)
• Max takeoff weight: 17,000 kg (37,479 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan engine, 64.3 kN (14,500 lbf) thrust dry, 95.1 kN (21,400 lbf) with afterburner
• Maximum speed: 2,336 km/h (1,452 mph, 1,261 kn)
• Range: 1,550 km (960 mi, 840 NM)
• Service ceiling: 17,060 m (55,970 ft)

This fourth-generation multirole jet is one of the most popular ones, particularly for export. Designed in the late 1970s by Dassault Aviation, the aircraft replaced the Mirage III for the French Air Force when it entered service in 1984. Two major variants particularly suited French forces: the 2000-5F multirole fighter and the 2000D strike (bomber) variant. Over 50% of the 600 aircraft produced were exported to global air forces.

Photo: VanderWolf Images l Shutterstock

The French Air and Space Force currently operates 92 Mirage 2000 among the two variants (66 -5F and 26 Ds). In 2016, a plan to modernize 48 Mirage 2000 was rolled out as the midlife upgrade program. The agency began by modernizing newly delivered aircraft to upgrade capabilities. More than 36 aircraft are modernized and active with the force.

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3

Airbus A330 MRTT

Military transport and aerial refueling aircraft

• Length: 58.80 m (193 ft)
• Wingspan: 60.3 m (198 ft)
• Height: 17.4 m (57 ft)
• Max takeoff weight: 233,000 kg (514,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Trent 772B, General Electric CF6-80E1A4, or Pratt & Whitney PW 4170; turbofans, 320 kN (72,000 lbf) 320 kN each
• Maximum speed: 880 km/h (475 knots, 547 mph)
• Ferry range: 14,800 km (8,000 NM) maximum
• Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,700 ft)

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refueling and military transport aircraft designed and built by Airbus in the early 2000s. Based on the civilian A330-200 model, the MRTT can refuel other aircraft and also get refueled in the air.

Photo: Airbus

Introduced in 2018, the French Air and Space Force currently operates 12 A330 MRTT aircraft, with three additional on order. The remaining three are civilian A330-200s purchased in 2020, which will be converted to MRTT to complement the existing transport aircraft.

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More than 16 countries have placed orders for 68 aircraft with Airbus. As of January, the manufacturer has produced and delivered 59 units, with the remaining to follow in the coming years.

4

C-130 Hercules

Military transport aircraft

• Length: 97 ft 9 in (29.79 m)
• Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.41 m)
• Height: 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m)
• Max takeoff weight: 155,000 lb (70,307 kg)
• Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines, 4,590 shp (3,420 kW) each
• Maximum speed: 320 kn (370 mph, 590 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
• Range: 2,050 NM (2,360 mi, 3,800 km)
• Service ceiling: 33,000 ft (10,000 m)

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is the most versatile military transport in its ability to operate from unpaved and rough airfields. The multirole airlifter for many global forces has found its place in the French Air and Space Force fleet. Introduced in 1987, the agency operates 18 C-130s across various variants as tactical transport and aerial refueling aircraft.

Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

In 2021, Lockheed Martin won a $51 million contract to support the French Air Force for long-term sustainment of C-130 aircraft. The Defense Blog reported that the contract included cost plus fixed fees to carry out management, field service representatives, travel and per diem, data, replenishment of spares, and other sustainment tasks. The French Air Force aims to replace some of its older aircraft with future mid-size tactical cargo aircraft.

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5

E-3F AWACS

Airborne early warning and control aircraft

Length: 152 ft 11 in (46.61 m)

Wingspan: 145 ft 9 in (44.42 m)

Height: 41 ft 4 in (12.60 m)

Max takeoff weight: 347,000 lb (157,397 kg)

Powerplant: 4 × Pratt and Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofan, 21,500 lbf (96 kN) thrust each

Maximum speed: 461 kn (531 mph, 854 km/h)

Range: 4,000 NM (4,600 mi, 7,400 km)

Service ceiling: 29,000 ft (8,800 m) minimum

The Boeing E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) is derived from the civilian 707 aircraft in the early 1970s. It is an essential part of the French Air and Space Force, capable of providing all-weather surveillance, command control, and communications. The E-3’s distinctive rotating radar dome (rotodome) above the fuselage is used for objects and weather detection.

Four examples of the E-3F operated by the French Air Force are upgraded to the Block 40/45 standard and fitted with the newer CFM56-2 engines. These AWACS aircraft will be succeeded by the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) in the early 2030s.

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