
This a nuclear air strike, French style.
The following footage was released by the French Air Force.
It shows a Force de Frappe‘s nuclear strike mission flown by a Rafale B multirole jet carrying an ASMP-A nuclear missile (weirdly blurred in the video) belonging to the EC (Escadron de chasse) 1/91 Gascogne at Saint-Dizier.
The video is extremely interesting as it shows the entire mission profile, from the take-off to the return to base, including the aerial refueling from a C-135FR aerial refueler and the simulated attack on the ground target. It lets you hear some radio comms as well.
The attack run is performed at high-speed and ultra low-level: 1,000 km/h at 100 meters.
Last October, the French Air Force celebrated 50 years of French deterrence by the Forces Aériennes Strategiques which are responsible for Paris’s nuclear weapons.
Whilst most countries are a bit “shy” and they usually don’t make their nuclear attack training public, the French are quite proud to showcase their special strike capabilities.
H/T to @DefensAero and Charlie Pinedo for the heads-up
I would be very thankful if anyone finds a link with English subtitles.
Wow, this was from 5 months ago! After the first week I honestly wasn’t expecting a reply but you did it. Thank you very much!
What a hideous looking cockpit, was it designed by Citroen?
So the French should be proud as it keeps the Russians on their toes.
Agreed. The Rafale is a very capable aircraft.
Helmet exist but not agreed by french army because it’s not very useful and very expensive.