France is accelerating the Rafale F5 upgrade, featuring a new Thales RBE2-XG GaN AESA radar with increased power/detection range and AI-ready processing, plus collaborative sensing. It also includes a fully digital overhaul of the SPECTRA self-protection suite for improved detection/jamming against denser, more complex threat waveforms, and a new stealthy, jamming-resistant Inter-Vehicle Data Link (IVDL) for contested environments. While not a frontline battlefield adaptation report, it represents a significant near-term combat-air capability modernization relevant to electronic warfare and resilient comms.
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EWside: natofirst seen 2026-09-09
France accelerates Rafale F5 with GaN radar, digital EW, stealthy datalink
SOURCES
- The War Zone · https://www.twz.com/air/france-accelerates-rafale-f5-upgrade-after-collapse-of-fcas-next-gen-fighter-projectFrance Accelerates Rafale F5 Upgrade After Collapse Of FCAS Next-Gen Fighter Project