From abroad it looks like one more executive jet. But what just took off in France is much more than that. It is the first aircraft of the Archange program, an electronic intelligence platform capable of intercepting critical signals in full flight. Its mission is not to bring executives, but strategic information. And it is a key piece in the attempt of France for reinforcing its military autonomy in a decade marked by the electronic war and global surveillance.
A program with ambition. Archange is not a random name. The program responds to a concrete ambition: to provide France with a new generation of airplanes capable of performing signal intelligence from the air, with national technology and operational autonomy. Promoted by the General Directorate of the Armament (DGA), the plan contemplates the delivery of three aircraft before the period covered by the Military Programming Law 2024–2030 ends.
Its main mission will be to intercept, identify and analyze electromagnetic emissions: from tactical communications to air defense radars. A capacity that, in a context marked by electronic warfare, hybrid conflicts and informative overload, has become a first -order strategic resource. France not only seeks to modernize its intelligence collection means: it wants to ensure that critical information does not depend on third parties.
The Falcon 8x, transformed into an electronic warfall. The base of the Archange is a Dassault Falcon 8x, a long -range executive plane known for its reliability, autonomy and comfort. But within the framework of this program, luxury gives way to intelligence. Dassault Aviation has deeply modified the aircraft to turn it into an advanced Sigint platform, adapted to the demanding operational requirements of the French air and space army.
The Falcon 8x is an ideal platform: it reaches 11,945 km of reach and can remain up to 14 hours in the air. Its triple engine offers redundancy and safety on prolonged flights.
The mission system is signed by Thales. Transforming a Jet into an electronic war platform requires much more than redesigning fuselage. The real jump is in your brain. The Archangelian mission system has been developed by Thales DMS and Thales Six, two divisions of the French group specialized in defense and embarked systems.
The aircraft will be equipped with technologies capable of intercepting both radar emissions and communications. This duality – Ellint and Comint – allows to build a detailed image of the tactical environment. In addition, the Thales system can cross that information with other data and operate in network with other ISR platforms.
What is signal intelligence and why is so decisive today. Modern war is no longer freed with armored and combat fighters. It is also freed in the electromagnetic spectrum. And that is where signal intelligence enters, known as Sigint. This type of intelligence is based on the interception, analysis and interpretation of electronic emissions. It can be radio conversations between units, air defense radar signs, encrypted tactical communications or navigation and guidance systems emissions.
Within the Sigint, two large branches are distinguished: Comint, which focuses on communications, and Elint, focused on non -verbal electronic systems, such as radars or proximity detectors. The combination of both allows us to understand how adversary forces move and communicate, anticipate display, detect active systems or even discover patterns that reveal the intention behind a movement.
Having a plane capable of operating in this invisible dimension means getting ahead of the enemy. Something like being able to fly apart from direct combat and, even so, alter the balance of the battlefield
What is known about investment. Although the exact cost of the program has not been revealed, it is known that it includes technological development, the modification of aircraft, the formation of operators and logistics support during their useful life. Given the level of technical sophistication and the limited number of units, we are facing a significant investment.
The objective is clear: to have in the air, in less than a five years, a national electronic intelligence capacity that complements the satellites and drones, but with the advantage of being able to react, reposition and act more flexibility.
The sky as strategic domain: what comes now. From now on begins an intense cycle of flight tests, systems calibration, sensor integration and operational validations. Each component, from the antennas to the signal analysis software, will have to demonstrate its reliability in real conditions before entering active service.
In parallel, the training system for the crews responsible for operating these platforms should be launched, as well as the logistics and technical device necessary to ensure their availability in real missions.
Imágenes | Ministry of Armed Forces | Dassault Aviation
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