France’s Air and Space Force has confirmed that the first Archange signals-intelligence aircraft has landed at Évreux Air Base 105, its planned operating location. Based on the Dassault Falcon 8X and developed with Thales, the aircraft arrived on 7 October and is now undergoing technical-operational experimentation before entering service with Escadron électronique aéroporté 1/54 “Dunkerque”.
The Military Air Expertise Center is supporting the trials, which are intended to prepare the aircraft for future operational employment. The Air and Space Force has not disclosed a detailed test schedule or an entry-into-service date, and the aircraft remains in the evaluation phase rather than operational service.
Archange is designed to restore and modernise France’s airborne electronic-warfare and signals-intelligence capability following the retirement of the C-160G Gabriel fleet. Dassault Aviation is responsible for the Falcon 8X airframe modifications, while Thales provides the mission systems, including the CUGE electronic-warfare capability.
The programme calls for three aircraft. The first aircraft is associated with DGA flight testing and reportedly carries temporary registration F-ZJFM, reflecting its continuing role in development and evaluation. Further deliveries are planned during the late 2020s, although publicly cited schedules differ on the final delivery horizon.