Dassault and Harmattan AI fly radar-hunting NAMIB drone with a Rafale F4
Six months after development began, a startup-built electronic-warfare payload on a drone geolocated a radar and cued a Rafale F4 for a simulated strike, the manned-unmanned SEAD chain France wants for its next fighter standard.
Six months after development began, a startup-built electronic-warfare payload on a drone geolocated a radar and cued a Rafale F4 for a simulated strike, the manned-unmanned SEAD chain France wants for its next fighter standard.
A drone carrying the NAMIB electronic-warfare payload detected and geolocated a radar several dozen kilometers away, passed the position to a Rafale F4, and the fighter flew a simulated strike pass, Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI said on July 13. The companies called the sortie the first collaborative in-flight engagement for the jointly developed device.
NAMIB detects, identifies and geolocates electromagnetic emissions, in particular those from air-defense systems, per the joint statement, and can ride on tactical quadcopters or longer-endurance fixed-wing drones. The F4-standard Rafale controlled the unmanned aircraft during the test, Janes wrote, part of a wider French drive to equip the fighter for the SEAD/DEAD mission of suppressing and destroying enemy air defenses.
Development began in January 2026, the same month Dassault led Harmattan AI's $200 million Series B, Army Recognition reported. The French startup, founded in 2024, took the payload from a standing start to a collaborative flight with France's frontline fighter in roughly six and a half months.
Army Recognition cautioned that the flight proved connectivity rather than an operational capability: the firing pass was simulated, and the companies disclosed no figures for geolocation accuracy, latency or the datalink used. France abandoned its dedicated anti-radiation missile capability and plans a supersonic SEAD weapon, STRATUS RS, for the Rafale F5 around 2035, the outlet added.
Euromaidan Press tied the demonstration to Ukraine's radar-hunting tactics, in which strike drones knock out air-defense radars so aircraft can hit through the gap, and noted that Kyiv is slated to receive its first 16 Rafales in 2028-2029.
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Subscribe Free →Eric Trappier, Dassault's chairman and CEO, framed the flight as "high-low mix", sophisticated systems working with autonomous, expendable effectors. A startup founded in 2024 just gave the Rafale offboard radar eyes, nine years ahead of the anti-radar missile France plans to field with the F5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAMIB payload?
Per the Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI joint statement, NAMIB is an electronic-warfare payload that detects, identifies and geolocates electromagnetic emissions, in particular those from air-defense systems. It can be carried by tactical quadcopters or longer-endurance fixed-wing drones.
What happened during the July 13 flight?
The NAMIB-equipped drone detected and geolocated a radar several dozen kilometers away and transmitted the position to a Rafale F4, which then simulated a strike on the target, the companies said. Janes wrote that the F4-standard jet controlled the drone during the sortie.
Who is Harmattan AI?
A French defense-tech startup founded in 2024 that builds autonomous systems across air defense, ISR, strike, electronic warfare and command and control, according to the company. Dassault Aviation led its $200 million Series B in January 2026, per Army Recognition and Aviacionline.
Does this give France an operational SEAD capability?
Not yet. Army Recognition assessed that the trial proved a sensor-to-fighter targeting chain, not a qualified suppression capability: the firing pass was simulated and no accuracy, latency or datalink figures were disclosed. France plans a supersonic SEAD missile, STRATUS RS, with the Rafale F5 around 2035, the outlet noted.
What does this have to do with Ukraine?
Euromaidan Press tied the demonstration to Ukraine's own radar-hunting tactics, in which strike drones destroy Russian air-defense radars so aircraft can strike through the resulting gaps, and noted that Ukraine is due to receive its first 16 Rafales in 2028-2029.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.