Roger Whitcomb
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LATEST UPDATE: 31/03/16
SPECTACULAR FRENCH JET DISPLAYS CONFIRMED
Two of the most spectacular fast jet displays in Europe will be heading for RAF Fairford this summer thanks to the French Air Force!
The solo Dassault Rafale C multi-role fighter and Ramex Delta team, comprising two Dassault Mirage 2000N strike aircraft, will demonstrate their outstanding agility during the flying display.
Seen for the first time in Britain at RIAT 2015, Ramex Delta present a dynamic role demonstration of the delta-winged Mirage, consisting of various tactical manoeuvres representative of those used in combat.
The Mirage 2000N is the nuclear strike variant of the type, which also serves as an air defence fighter and a conventional strike platform. It forms part of France's Forces Aériennes Stratégiques (Strategic Air Forces), and is capable of delivering the French ASMP medium-range air-to-surface nuclear cruise missile, as well as conventional stores, in all weathers by day or night.
The Ramex Delta team hails from one of the world's most famous military aviation units: the famous 'Escadrille Lafayette'. It was formed a century ago in 1916 as part of the then French air arm, and consisted primarily at that time of American volunteer pilots. The name comes from the Marquis de Lafayette, a key figure in the French Revolution and the American Revolutionary War. Today the name is assigned to French Air Force unit Escadron de Chasse 2/4, based at Istres near Marseille.
On several previous occasions, the outstanding agility of Dassault's latest-generation Rafale has been demonstrated by French Air Force pilots at the Air Tattoo, often scooping at least one of the airshow's flying display awards. This swing-role combat jet has taken part in combat operations over Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Mali and Syria, and is also in service in carrier-borne form with the French Navy.
The example on display at the Air Tattoo will be a single-seat Rafale C stationed at Base Aérienne 113 Saint-Dizier. At the controls for the first time this year will be a new display pilot, Capitaine 'Marty' Martinez.
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