France's first Archange (Archangel) signals-intelligence and electronic-warfare aircraft landed at its future operating base, Air Base 105 (BA 105) in Évreux, Normandy, on October 7, 2026. The Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force) announced the milestone on October 23.

The Dassault Falcon 8X-based Archange is now entering technical-operational experimentation with the Military Air Expertise Center (CEAM) to prepare the aircraft for future service. Air Base 105 is home to the Airborne Electronic Squadron 5/64 Dunkerque, which is slated to operate the type.

The Archange is intended to restore France's dedicated airborne signals-intelligence capability following the early retirement of the Transall C-160G Gabriel SIGINT aircraft in May 2022. A total fleet of three aircraft is planned for delivery by 2030.

Thales developed the aircraft's electronic-warfare payloads and mission systems, including the CUGE universal electronic-warfare capability, carried in a large ventral fairing under the aircraft.

Source: The Aviationist