RBE2
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The RBE2 (Radar à Balayage Electronique 2 plans) is a multirole radar developed during the 90s for the French Rafale combat aircraft.
The RBE2 uses a passive electronically scanned array (PESA). Even though it was one of the very first ESA radars developed, and was considered one of the most advanced radars during its development, today the Passive ESA is considered a technological dead-end (see Further Development). Its range is now considered insufficient, especially in comparison of the current and future American AESA systems such as the AN/APG-63(V)3 and AN/APG-79 radars. While this may not be a problem for the French government, because France operates E-2 Hawkeye and E-3 AWACS, it might have been the doomsday of several foreign contracts.
In Air-Air combat, the RBE2 is officially said to be able to track up to 40 aircraft and to engage 8 of them. The RBE2 is also able to provide the Air-to-Ground performances that are required by the French government or potential export customers.
[edit] Further development
A 90 million euros-worth contract was signed in July 2004 for the development and integration of an Active Array version of the RBE2. It is scheduled to be fully developed by 2012 and integrated then.
The RBE2-AA (active array) variant has been tested on both a Mystère 20 testbed aircraft from the Flight Test Center of the DGA (Délégation Générale pour l'Armement, the French armament agency) and then on a Rafale. Note that the tests were made with US-made transmitter/receivers. The current development is focused on “European only” parts.
