Passive Air to Air Attacks

Well, here is an interesting nugget buried in an an otherwise run of the mill article on how an upgrade to an AESA radar will boost the Rafale's export sales prospect

Meanwhile, the Rafale's ability to shoot down an enemy aircraft using only passive detection was demonstrated for the first time in October, says Chaltiel. Two aircraft flew 'several miles apart', the first using electronic support measures to monitor the target and communicate its track via Link 16 datalink to the second Rafale.

The second aircraft also passively tracked the target using its infrared search and track system and was able to achieve a lock-on by sending 'a few pulses' from its laser rangefinder. The enemy aircraft was then 'shot down' using an MBDA 'Mica-type' air-to-air missile with an active seeker that became effective at a range of around 18km (10nm), says Chaltiel.