At a time when the Argentine Super Flag aircraft has been in service for 23 years, the Argentine Naval Aviation Command (COAN) has begun research to assess how to upgrade or replace it.
At the end of 2004, Rear Admiral Iglesias, then commander of the Argentine Naval Aviation Corps, submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence proposing to modernize the existing aircraft. In May 2005, the project was also discussed in Congress to assess the modernization of the Super Flag. The final consensus was that the modernization of the "super flag" would be beneficial to the defense of Argentine sovereignty over the sea and continental shelf.
The project remained a priority for COAN for the next few years. So much so that it is always mentioned at every event, ceremony or annual summary. However, at that time, the Super Military Flag aircraft was still in relatively good condition, so it seems that COAN was not in a hurry to advance the project. In 2009, Argentine Admiral Godoy expressed her intention to modernize the "super flag", when Nilda Garré was defense minister, submitted a letter of intent to France, which conveyed Argentina's interest in the French "super flag".
Since 1980, the "super flag" of the French Navy has undergone a continuous process of modernization (radar, navigation and attack systems, ergonomics of all components of the cockpit). Different standards have been used in each upgrade, the initial "Super Flag" is Standard 1, and the first phase of the upgrade is called Standard 2.
The key to Standard 2 (SEM 2) is to replace the previous Agave radar with the Anémone radar. The Anémone radar increases the detection range of sea targets by 250% and is optimized for AM39 anti-ship missiles and medium-range air-to-surface (ASMP) strategic air-to-surface nuclear missiles. The new radar has improved performance in all modes and increased immunity to electronic interference.
The cockpit of the aircraft was replaced with a new HUD, the new UAT90 onboard computer replaced the UAT40, and the inertial navigator reached a higher standard (UNI40M).
In 1997, smart air-to-ground weapons reached Standard 3 (SEM 3). Equipped with the new Thomson CSF ATLIS (Laser Irradiation Pod), the system allows the use of laser irradiation to guide the AS30L missile and the 500-pound Paveway II laser-guided bomb during the day. However, the "Super Flag" cannot carry ATLIS and LGB bombs at the same time, and can only attack using the "A-B Strike" mode.
However, standard 4 (SEM 4) has removed this restriction. The French Naval Aviation Squadron first deployed the "Super Flag" SEM 3 in January 1999, just in time for the air raids on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This is the first time since 1993 that the "Super Military Flag" has participated in actual combat, and it is also the first time that it has launched laser-guided munitions in actual combat. The Super Flag flew 412 offensive missions, dropped 266 LGB Paveway II and fired two AS30L missiles.
It must be noted that the "Super Flag" is of strategic importance, since it is capable of launching ASMP medium-range air-to-surface missiles, which are an important part of France's air-based nuclear strike force.
Standard 4 (SEM 4) continued after 2000 with a focus on improving self-defense systems. In total, 47 Super Flags were upgraded to Standard 4.
The last major upgrade was in 2006. The French Navy upgraded 34 "Super Flags" to Standard 5 (SEM 5) for nighttime precision attack missions. The cabin lighting can fit into the night vision goggles and is equipped with 15 Thales Damocles aiming pods. The ATLIS pod, while rather ancient, is still in use due to its excellent daytime targeting capabilities. SEM 5 also includes encrypted radio communication capabilities and the low-cost EADS Fightacs portable touchscreen tactical information system.
The 2011 Joint Protection Operation in Libya marked the last major battle of the Super Flag SEM 5. The aircraft carrier CHARLES DE Gaulle has just returned from its deployment in the Indian Ocean. Because Libya is connected to the Mediterranean Sea and has a short flight distance to the war zone, the Super Flag can carry more weapons than it did in Afghanistan, with up to four GBU49 GPS/LGB bombs per aircraft. (to be continued)