France\u2019s Archange (Archangel) Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft landed at its future operating base, Base A\u00e9rienne 105 (BA 105) in \u00c9vreux, for the first time, the Arm\u00e9e de l\u2019Air et de l\u2019Espace (French Air and Space Force \u2013 FASF) reported on Oct. 23, 2026<\/a>.\u00a0 Air Base 105 is home to the Airborne Electronic Squadron (Escadron \u00e9lectronique a\u00e9roport\u00e9) 5\/64 \u201cDunkerque,\u201d which is slated to operate the aircraft.<\/p>\n The aircraft landed in \u00c9vreux, Normandy, on Oct. 7, 2026. The French Air and Space Force, however, only announced the milestone on Oct. 23, saying that the Military Air Expertise Center (CEAM) is participating in technical-operational experimentation to prepare the aircraft for future service.<\/p>\n The FASF\u2019s two Transall C-160G Gabriel SIGINT aircraft were retired prematurely in May 2022, leaving a gap in the country\u2019s dedicated airborne signals-intelligence capability. An interim Saab 340 leased under the SOLAR contract provides some replacement capacity, but it does not fully replicate the Gabriel\u2019s capabilities.<\/p>\n The C-160G Gabriel\u2019s successor, the Dassault Falcon 8X-based Archange, will restore the service\u2019s Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities with a total fleet of three aircraft to be delivered by 2030. The first airframe made its first flight on July 25, 2025<\/a>, from Dassault Aviation\u2019s facility in Bordeaux-M\u00e9rignac.<\/p>\n The aircraft, now bearing registration F-ZJFM, was also captured by aviation photographers in FASF colors and markings on June 2, 2026<\/a> at Bordeaux-M\u00e9rignac. The aircraft is also sporting the Dunkerque squadron\u2019s insignia \u2013 a lion in a coat of arms right under the cockpit.<\/p>\n The French Air and Space Force described Archange as \u201cthe Future pillar of electromagnetic origin intelligence for the AAE,\u201d adding that it is now preparing to enter service. The system can \u201cbroadcast the enemy electronic order of battle in real time, illuminate planning, and better protect our forces.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Premier pos\u00e9 \u00e0 \u00c9vreux pour ARCHANGE !<\/p>\n Futur pilier du renseignement d\u2019origine \u00e9lectromagn\u00e9tique de l\u2019AAE, le Falcon 8X pr\u00e9pare son entr\u00e9e en service.<\/p>\n Diffuser en temps r\u00e9el l\u2019ordre de bataille \u00e9lectronique ennemi, \u00e9clairer la planification et mieux prot\u00e9ger nos forces. https:\/\/t.co\/TCwwuHHjlA<\/p>\n \u2014 Arm\u00e9e de l\u2019Air et de l\u2019Espace (@Armee_de_lair) October 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n According to Opex360<\/em><\/a>, when reporting on the Archange sporting FASF colors in June, the F-ZJFM registration suggests the aircraft is assigned to the Direction G\u00e9n\u00e9rale de l\u2019Armement Essais en Vol (Directorate General of Armaments Flight Testing \u2013 DGA EV) division. The Air and Space Force subsequently confirmed that CEAM is participating in technical-operational experimentation at \u00c9vreux to prepare Archange for future service, although this has not been publicly detailed.\u00a0<\/p>\n The program has already been delayed a few years, with deliveries originally slated to begin by 2025. The manufacturing of the first airframe was held back, according to Chief of Defence Staff General Fabien Mandon\u2019s recent testimony to the Senate, due to Dassault Aviation facing \u201cdifficulty in fitting an electronic computing bay into an aircraft which has limited space.\u201d<\/p>\n Dassault is responsible for the airframe modification on the trijet Falcon 8X, integration, flight testing, and supplemental certification, while Thales has developed the EW payloads, mission systems and sensors, including the CUGE (Capacit\u00e9 Universelle de Guerre \u00c9lectronique \/ Universal Electronic Warfare Capability) system. This is carried in a large ventral fairing under the aircraft\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n The first @Dassault_OnAir F8X Archange in French air force colors spotted at Bordeaux-M\u00e9rignac airport.<\/p>\n The Falcon 8X Archange is France\u2019s future airborne #SIGINT platform. Equipped with @thalesgroup CUGE electronic warfare system, it will collect and analyze radar and communications emissions, enhancing the French Air Force\u2019s strategic intelligence capabilities.<\/p>\n by Alexis Thocaven<\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Antonov (@Tom_Antonov) June 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n CUGE is designed to detect and analyze communications and radar emissions, strengthening France\u2019s signals-intelligence capability. Thales has previously said<\/a> CUGE leverages technologies like multi-polarization antennas, Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate data processing, and advanced sensors to simultaneously detect, analyze and classify electromagnetic emissions.<\/p>\n Archange is now undergoing technical-operational experimentation intended to prepare it for future service. Such work is expected to evaluate the aircraft\u2019s mission systems and establish how the new capability will be employed and supported, although the detailed test plan has not been publicly disclosed.\u00a0<\/p>\n France retains several complementary means of collecting electromagnetic intelligence, but these do not fully replace the capability previously provided by the Transall C-160G Gabriel. The\u00a0 Mirage 2000D RMV<\/a> can carry the ASTAC (Tactical Signal Analyzer\/Analyseur de signaux tactiques) pod, while the three (Capacit\u00e9 de Renseignement Electromagn\u00e9tique Spatial\/Space Electromagnetic Intelligence Capability) satellites provide space-based electromagnetic intelligence.<\/p>\n Other capabilities include the Beechcraft 350 ALSR<\/a> (Light Surveillance and Intelligence Aircraft) aircraft used for VADOR (Vector Airborne Designation Observation and Reconnaissance) missions and the Saab 340 leased<\/a> under the SOLAR contract, which provides an interim platform equipped with radar, electromagnetic-intelligence sensors, and electro-optical equipment. The latter only partially compensates for the Gabriel\u2019s retirement.<\/p>\n L\u2019Archange a r\u00e9alis\u00e9 son premier vol.<\/p>\n Construit sur la base d\u2019un Falcon 8X de @Dassault_OnAir, modifi\u00e9 pour y int\u00e9grer des syst\u00e8mes de pointes d\u00e9velopp\u00e9s par @thalesgroup, notre futur avion de renseignement sera dot\u00e9 de capacit\u00e9s au plus haut standard pour la d\u00e9tection de signaux de communication et d\u2019\u00e9missions radar.<\/p>\n D\u2019ici la fin de la loi de programmation militaire 2024-2030, trois d\u2019entre eux seront livr\u00e9s \u00e0 l\u2019@Armee_de_lair et stationn\u00e9s sur la Base a\u00e9rienne 105 d\u2019Evreux.<\/p>\nArchange aircraft at \u00c9vreux <\/strong><\/h3>\n