French AF Rafale x 2 Mid-Air Collision During Air Show

[RAFEngO74to09]

During a role demo !

TWO RAFALES COLLIDE AT THE COGNAC AIRSHOW — European Airshows (https://www.europeanairshows.co.uk/news/vautour-bravo-accident-at-the-cognac-airshow?fbclid=IwAR0FjFS9RL4trK6glp5va2ape5rI9FPOY7t8ttB_1kB dtyWtwBQBoLhjz2c)

[RAFEngO74to09]

Extract from a translated French report:

"Its fin was severed at the level of the element which concentrates several sensors of its SPECTRA electronic suite [Rafale Fire Control Protection and Avoidance System], including the missile launch detection unit, the sensor analysis head missile launch, the rear warning detector and the upper drift amplification and communication unit [BACHD]."

"This part of the Rafale Rogue Spartan's tail fell on the village of Gensac-la-Pallue without doing any damage."

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x625/image_200677a12e153752e9ece1bf565e4a4f2812bb5c.png

[MPN11]

VERY close Air Support, but delighted they both landed and walked. More info to come, clearly.

[RAFEngO74to09]

Video of their display on May 20 - check out 1:43 and 3:06

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9tpTOrkkyM

[treadigraph]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTYqUzwX0AIbUS_?format=jpg&name=small

[JeanKhul]

It happened already - F15 IAF coming back without a wing, Mirage 2000 FAF without the tailfin.

[ehwatezedoing]

Video of their display on May 20 - check out 1:43 and 3:06

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9tpTOrkkyM
Little correction, that's not their display but the arrival of the "French Rafale Solo Display" with his coach in tow. It's a routine recon of the airfield, something they do before every show.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Another case of “definistration” ?

Hat, Coat, Briefcase, Umbrella, Roller Bag, Emergency Exit Slide…..

[Lonewolf_50]

BPF: Czech and mate. :ok:

[RAFEngO74to09]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTcOH6IXEAMoIPL?format=jpg&name=medium

[RAFEngO74to09]

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/738x545/image_0c2697c850fd94cc6ff37dee72ab09e360f7e0c1.png

[RAFEngO74to09]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTc3iw3WIAE5foE?format=jpg&name=medium

[RAFEngO74to09]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi1GOOCrCEw

[fdr]

It looks a little more Mirage III-like without the upper bits. Would be a spectacular close-up of the tail when it connected with the RH canard. That was a messed up little plane.

[Mogwi]

Looks much more like a gash wazz-about than a display TBH.

Mog

[olster]

Yes, that was what I was thinking. It did not appear very well coordinated or well planned. Just 2 fast jets randomly flying around. Strange.

[JeanKhul]

They call it "a show of force" - came from NATO ideas (Bosnia and Afghanistan) Supposed to impress the bandits and make them run away, after a request from TACP

First in a meeting they will never replicate the brute power of a jet flying at 100 ft or lower. Now on theatre, they will not fly so low anyway, for fear of small arms fire (not even mentioning manpads)

And the the whole idea is questionable : if the bad guys are really bad and not so easily impressed (which you can expect from them anyway, after months of hard fighting in the jebels) result will be nil.

[trim it out]

They call it "a show of force" - came from NATO ideas (Bosnia and Afghanistan) Supposed to impress the bandits and make them run away, after a request from TACP

First in a meeting they will never replicate the brute power of a jet flying at 100 ft or lower. Now on theatre, they will not fly so low anyway, for fear of small arms fire (not even mentioning manpads)

And the the whole idea is questionable : if the bad guys are really bad and not so easily impressed (which you can expect from them anyway, after months of hard fighting in the jebels) result will be nil.
Also known as a Show of Peace when the Taliban clocked on how to push their luck without stepping into offensive RoE territory.

[ehwatezedoing]

Yes, that was what I was thinking. It did not appear very well coordinated or well planned. Just 2 fast jets randomly flying around. Strange.
If you were referring to the video showing some sort of a display, like I said, it is not the actual team who had the incident but the "French Rafale Solo Display" with his coach in tow doing a routine recon of the airfield to take ground marks. Something they do before every show when they arrive on site.

[olster]

Oh ok. Never known any other solo display to do that plus (excuse my ignorance) but presumably google maps is not sufficient for that purpose or even a briefing from ATC. Or...even flying around solo to check out ground features. Not sure why he needs a coach. Glad all ok though.

[El Grifo]

Would "loosley co-ordinated tailchase" cover it ?
Good that the crews walked away albeit

El G.

[Jhieminga]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTcOH6IXEAMoIPL?format=jpg&name=medium
Winglet on a canard surface.... interesting idea but sloppy execution!

[ehwatezedoing]

Oh ok. Never known any other solo display to do that plus (excuse my ignorance) but presumably google maps is not sufficient for that purpose or even a briefing from ATC. Or...even flying around solo to check out ground features. Not sure why he needs a coach. Glad all ok though.
No matter what you think they have been doing it this way for quite some time.
For reference a pilot selected on the Rafale Solo Display will assume this fonction for two years and two more as a coach. Passing his experiences, relieving the active pilot on some Airshow duties, taking care of security while on stage, etc...

Now to be back on topic the damaged Rafale are from the Vautour Bravo tactical display team of the 30th Fighter Wing (Not the Rafale Solo Display mentioned above!) And were just back from the Tiger Meet in Greece.

[uxb99]

Are these aircraft fly by wire? If so is the pilot aware of any difference in handling being as the computer would presumably correct for the damage, or not as the case may be?