RetroSicotte wrote:
I've heard conflicting information on that to be honest. Last I read said they were "updating" the datalink, but I saw no explicit confirmation of this
Well, yes. Try to make sense of this (I would say - without the explicit mention being included - that they will get "there" in 2023):
"enhancements will be made to the Rafale’s sensor suite, including the RBE2 AESA radar, Talios targeting pod, and the OSF frontal sector optronics system. Likewise, the Spectra electronic warfare system will also receive improvements to maintain its ability to deter emerging threats. Weapons enhancements will be made through future developments of the ASMP-A nuclear missile, Scalp stand-off attack missile, MICA NG air-to-air missile, and a 1000-kg version of the AASM precision-guided weapon. In-service support and readiness will be improved through the adoption of processes such as fault diagnosis assistance, preventative maintenance, and the upgrading of the M88 engine’s computer. Overall, the aircraft’s architecture is to be made more capable of accepting new technology insertions as they become available.
Under current plans Standard F4 will be implemented in two increments, the first in 2023 and the second in 2025."
- in service to 2050.... makes the longevity 10 years more than what is envisaged (currently) for tiffies
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)