Overview
- Dassault said on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, that it flight-tested two new sovereign AI algorithms on a Rafale, one developed by its own engineers and one in collaboration with Thales’ cortAIx.
- The company said both algorithms have reached a level of maturity that makes them eligible for consideration in future Rafale upgrades, though Dassault did not disclose the functions tested or which standard would adopt them.
- Dassault framed the work as controlled and supervised AI designed to support human crews, not replace pilots, and it highlighted three technical hurdles: reliable operational data, fusion of domain expertise, and tight on-board computing limits.
- The tests fit into a wider push for Rafale modernization that includes DGA preliminary contracts for F5 components such as Thales’ RBE2-XG radar and Dassault’s partnership and funding ties to Harmattan AI focused on embedded AI and uncrewed teaming.
- Industry observers note this flight test follows earlier demonstrations of manned–unmanned cooperation and places Dassault among European makers moving toward supervised AI in fighters, with operational use still dependent on further testing and integration work.