Dassault Rafale
Photo from The Warplane Picture Archive
Like the Eurofighter and the Swedish Gripen the Dassault Rafale propelles French avaition into the 21st century world of high agility multi-role combat aircraft. Built to replace aging types like the Mirage F1, and Mirage 2000 the B and C variants will serve in the air force while the M will replace the antique F-8P Crusaders and Super Etendards in the Navy. Rafale Ms will serve on France's new nuclear powered carrier Charles deGaulle. Rafales, as with almost all French military equipment, are almost totally indigenous. The body, engines, and avionics are all French. The M differs from the B/C because it ahs higher thrust and one less hardpoint. The Rafale arose out of France's withdrawl from the Eurofighter program in 1985. Rafales will begin to arrive on carriers in 1998. The Rafale alone will carry France into 21st century military aviation. So it's a good thing the Rafale is proving itself a very good airplane.
Specifications
(Data for Rafale M)
Origin: Dassault Aviation
Type: Multi-role Fighter
Crew: Pilot
Powerplant: Two SNECMA M88-3 afterburning turbofans each delivering 8 879 kg (19 558 lbs)
Dimensions
Span: 10.9 m (35' 9")
Height: 5.34 m (17' 6")
Length: 15.3 m (50' 3")
Maximum Loaded Weight: 21 520 kg (47 400 lbs)
Performance
Maximum Speed: 2 125 kph (1 321 mph)
Cruising Speed:
Climb Rate:
Range: 1 853 km (1 151 miles)
Service Ceiling: 18 000 m (60 000 feet)
Armament
One GIAT DEFA 791B 30mm cannon & up to 6 006 kg (13 228 lbs) of ordnance including nuclear weapons, conventional missiles, bombs, and sub-munitions.
First Flight: M: December 12, 1991 A: July 4, 1986
User(s): M: French Aviation Navale
Production: 79 M, 140 B, 94 C
Unit Cost: ?
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