The third Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) upgraded by Dassault Aviation, Thales and Naval Group was delivered by DGA to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) at the Lann-Bihoué naval airbase. The ATL2 fleet modernization contract was awarded in late 2013 by the DGA, contracting authority to the manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Thales. It provides these aircraft with the equipment required to carry out their operational missions until they are withdrawn from service, scheduled for after 2030.
Eighteen out of the 22 ATL2 MPAs operated by the French Navy will be upgraded to the new version called ‘Standard 6’. The first two ATL2 aircraft upgraded to “standard 6” were delivered in October last year The contract for the standard 6 upgrade was awarded by the french armament general directorate (DGA) on October 4, 2013. It covers a fleet of 18 aircraft. Dassault Aviation will deliver a further four upgraded ATL2s until 2023. In parallel, the SIAé aeronautical maintenance center will upgrade 11 aircraft.
The Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic is a long-range maritime patrol aircraft designed and manufactured by French aircraft manufacturer Breguet Aviation (now Dassault Aviation). Designed in response to a 1958 NATO specification as a replacement for the Lockheed P2V Neptune, Breguet’s submission was declared the winner over several competing bids. The Atlantic has been operated by a number of countries, commonly performing maritime roles such as reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.
An updated version, the Atlantique 2 or ATL2, was produced by Dassault Aviation for the French Navy in the 1980s. A renovation operation is in progress (2019-2025), 18 out of the 22 ATL2 Standard 5 operated by the French Navy are upgraded to the new version called ‘Standard 6’.[41] The upgrade is comprehensive and should allow the aircraft to operate until 2030. The upgrade programme includes the development of a new combat system called ‘Logiciel de traitement de l’information operationelle nouvelle génération’ (LOTI-NG).
