France has deeply modernized patrol aircraft Atlantique 2 - now they will be able to track current and prospective submarines until 2030
The French Navy carried out a deep upgrade of the Atlantique 2 patrol aircraft, and the tests ended with a successful missile launch.
Here's What We Know
The French Navy's Atlantique 2 fleet has 18 aircraft. Half of the naval aircraft have been upgraded to Standard 6. The service said the upgrade makes the aircraft competitive in the face of modern threats. The contract was awarded in 2013.
The upgraded aircraft received a new radar and acoustic system that is capable of handling signals from the latest generation of hydroacoustic buoys. Atlantique 2 also features new control and navigation equipment.
The trials of Atlantique 2 ended with the launch of missiles. The maritime patrol aircraft successfully launched the AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile. Once upgraded, Atlantique 2 will be able to track active and future submarines for at least the rest of the decade.
Source: Naval News
Image: aerobuzz