France clearing terrain-following autopilot mode for single-seat Rafale

The French Air Force and Navy flight test centers are jointly flight testing the terrain-following autopilot mode for single-seat Rafale fighters.

Rafale M of Flottile 12F in flight 2014
By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karl Anderson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Currently, this feature is only available on the twin-seat version of the Rafale. The French military is keen to have this mode made available across the fleet.

This will allow the fighter to carry out “show of force” over enemy troop concentrations and to intercept unidentified aircraft flying at very low altitude.

[thumb]http://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/economie-et-technologie/le-suivi-de-terrain-experimente-sur-rafale-monoplace[/thumb]