Withdrawal of C-160G aircraft creates gap

The early withdrawal of two Transall C-160G "Gabriel" aircraft in 2022, before their successors were deployed, created a gap in the French Air and Space Force's (AAE) electronic warfare capabilities. This gap is partially addressed using various systems, including the ASTAC pod on the Mirage 2000D RMV, CERES satellites, Vador aircraft, and the MSE suite on the E-3F AWACS.

SOLAR contract aims to fill the gap

To maintain expertise and prepare for the arrival of the Falcon ARCHANGE aircraft, the AAE signed the SOLAR contract with CAE Aviation. This involves equipping a Saab 340 aircraft with the AGOMS mission system, which includes a surveillance radar, ROEM sensors, and an optronic ball.

Chief of Staff expresses concerns

In a parliamentary hearing in July 2025, General Jérôme Bellanger, the AAE's Chief of Staff, expressed concerns that the SOLAR contract did not fully compensate for the loss of the C-160G "Gabriel" aircraft. He emphasized the importance of the ROEM capacity for strategic intelligence, surveillance, and tactical operations.

ROEM pod deployed on Reaper drones

Pending the arrival of the Falcon ARCHANGE, the AAE is deploying the ROEM pod on MALE MQ-9B Reaper drones of the 33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron (ESRA), based in Cognac. The ROEM pod is now out of its experimental phase, and the squadron crews are becoming familiar with its use.

ROEM pod expands Reaper capabilities

According to Air Fan, the ROEM pod will significantly expand the range of missions assigned to the Reaper drones and the ROEM systems in service in France. However, this development was largely overlooked in a recent National Assembly report on electronic warfare.

ROEM pod procurement involves U.S. collaboration

In 2021, Joël Barre, then General Delegate for Armaments (DGA), noted the lack of enthusiasm from American authorities to provide the ROEM capacity for upgraded Reaper drones. The U.S. eventually approved the sale of eight electromagnetic intelligence pods to France for about 88 million dollars, to be produced by BAE Systems in Pennsylvania. However, technical details about the ROEM pod remain limited, and the AAE has not yet given it a name.