Dassault, Harmattan AI fly new EW collaborative UAV for Rafale
A Rafale F4 controlled a UAV carrying the Namib EW payload as part of a wider drive by France to equip the combat jet for the SEAD/DEAD mission. (Dassault-Harmattan AI )
Dassault and Harmattan Artificial Intelligence (AI) have flown a new electronic warfare (EW) collaborative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Rafale combat aircraft, the companies announced on 13 July 2026.
The test sortie saw an F4-standard Rafale control a UAV equipped with the Namib EW payload developed by both Dassault and Harmattan AI.
“During the flight, Namib discreetly detected and precisely geolocated a radar located several dozen km away. The target's location was transmitted to the Rafale, which then simulated a strike on the target,” the companies aid in a joint statement.
As noted in the announcement, Namib is capable of detecting, identifying, and geolocating electromagnetic emissions, in particular those from air defence systems. It can be carried by tactical UAVs, including quadcopters, as well as by longer-endurance, fixed-winged unmanned aircraft.
“The development of Namib, initiated in January 2026, is one of the key initiatives under the strategic partnership between Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI, which aims to integrate advanced autonomous capabilities into the next generation of air combat systems,” the statement said.
For more, please see France confirms Stratus RS as future SEAD weapon for Rafale
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