Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI Complete Rafale F4 and Electronic Warfare Drone Collaborative Flight Test
Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have successfully conducted a collaborative flight engagement exercise between the Rafale F4 fighter jet and an unmanned aircraft system equipped with the newly developed NAMIB electronic warfare payload. Jointly developed by both companies, NAMIB is capable of detecting, identifying, and geolocating electromagnetic signal sources, marking a significant milestone in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations.
Highlights
- Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI successfully completed a collaborative flight engagement exercise between the Rafale F4 fighter jet and a UAS equipped with the NAMIB electronic warfare payload.
- NAMIB is a jointly developed EW payload capable of detecting, identifying, and geolocating electromagnetic signal sources in complex electromagnetic environments.
- The test represents a significant milestone in France's Loyal Wingman and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) program, offloading EW missions from crewed to unmanned platforms.
- Harmattan AI is an emerging French defense tech company focused on autonomous unmanned systems and AI, partnering with Dassault to expand Rafale's multi-domain capabilities.
- No production timeline or next-phase test schedule has been announced by either company following this milestone demonstration.
Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have announced the successful execution of a collaborative flight engagement exercise featuring the Rafale F4 — Dassault's flagship combat aircraft — alongside an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) equipped with the newly developed NAMIB electronic warfare (EW) payload.
The NAMIB Electronic Warfare Payload
NAMIB is a next-generation electronic warfare payload jointly developed by Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI. Its core capabilities include:
- Detection of electromagnetic signal emitters
- Identification of various electromagnetic radiation signatures
- Geolocation of electromagnetic signal sources
Designed specifically for signals intelligence (SIGINT) gathering and electronic warfare support missions in complex electromagnetic environments, NAMIB is intended to significantly extend the situational awareness envelope of crewed combat aircraft.
A New Milestone in Manned-Unmanned Teaming
The flight test demonstrated the real-time, airborne collaborative engagement capability between the Rafale F4 and the UAS, representing a significant step forward for the French aerospace and defense industry in realizing the Loyal Wingman concept. By offloading electronic warfare missions to an unmanned platform, crewed aircraft pilots can execute missions in a lower-risk environment while enhancing overall combat effectiveness.
Dassault Aviation has long positioned the Rafale series as the cornerstone of French air power. This collaboration with Harmattan AI further strengthens the platform's integration capabilities within multi-domain operational environments. Harmattan AI is an emerging French defense technology company specializing in autonomous unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.
Outlook
As air forces around the world accelerate the development of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) concepts, the successful validation of the NAMIB payload signals strong potential for the future operational deployment of this class of electronic warfare drone systems. Neither company has yet disclosed plans for the next phase of testing or a production timeline, and the industry will be watching closely for further developments.
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