Project Cognac

Read the forum code of contact

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 3,765

PARIS: France plans Alpha Jet replacement
By: DOMINIC PERRYPARIS Source: 12:14 16 Jun 2015
France is gearing up to replace its fleet of aged Dassault Alpha jet trainers under an initiative provisionally dubbed “Project Cognac”.

An initial pre-solicitation request was issued in April by France’s DGA procurement body and is likely to be followed by a request for proposals (RFP) in September.

Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi says it will offer its developmental M-345 jet for the nascent requirement, which will equip the French flight training school located at Cognac/Châteaubernard air base.

“We presented our candidature on 1 June. Now we are waiting for the next step which will probably be the RFP.”

Paris has an active inventory of 86 of the 1970s-era type, according to Flightglobal's Ascend Fleets database, and they are also flown by the nation's Patrouille de France aerobatic team.

Alenia is likely to face competition for the contest from Aero Vodochody’s L-39 Albatros jet, and the Beechcraft T-6 and Pilatus PC-21 turboprops.

It is developing the Williams International FJ44-4M-powered M-345 for the Italian air force, although is yet to secure a contract with the service.

First delivery of the jet, which also features Selex avionics, is scheduled for 2018.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-france-plans-alpha-jet-replacement-413675/

Alenia Aermacchi M-345,Aero Vodochody’s L-39, Beechcraft T-6 and Pilatus PC-21... Going from one of these straight into a Rafale... Hmmmm...

Ps- Remy Martin for me, please :very_drunk:

Original post

Member for

8 years 10 months

Posts: 1

Alpha-jet are getting old, replacing those platform make full of sense.

The FAF has evaluated the M-345 last fall. I don't see the 'Patrouille de France' flying in turboprops such as PC-21 and T-6 and the new L-39 isn't available yet so I guess it's a done deal for AA...

Any information on the simulation part ? Thales could be in the loop there.

Eckbert

Member for

12 years 3 months

Posts: 5,905

The 345 fits perfectly the needs here (keeping in mind that the more dynamics Alpha's will not be phased out but kept in service with a reduced flight tempo).

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 3,765

The 345 fits perfectly the needs here (keeping in mind that the more dynamics Alpha's will not be phased out but kept in service with a reduced flight tempo).

Didnt knew that, thanks. If part of the Alpha Jet fleet is maintained, then the aforementioned contenders are entirely logical.