A fighter whose characteristics resemble its name, the Dassault Rafale ("Squall") is one of the most capable 4.5th generation fighters in service, and arguably the most potent European aircraft operating from carriers. Designed in both navalized and land-based versions, it replaced aircraft in Armee De L'Air (French air force) service that could only be described as legends themselves, such as the Mirage 2000 and Super Etendard. Unlike many newer combat aircraft, the Rafale has seen combat in multiple conflicts, although primarily in the Middle Eastern theatre. It has chiefly served with France, but a multitude of countries have shown interest in the fighter. It has a fairly promising, though not spectacular, export potential due to competition from F-35s, Gripens, Typhoons, and possibly even the Su-35.
During the Eurofighter EFA2000 program, most of the 5 partner nations (Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain) opted for a focus on fighter and interceptor capabilities, and all proposed multi-role EFA2000 designs were given less of a priority. France was more concerned with an aircraft that could carry out strike or multi-role missions, to replace its many aging carrier strike-fighters and land based aircraft. As well as the EFA2000, French combat-aircraft bureau Dassault was working on their own 4.5th generation fighter, using data derived from the Mirage 4000. Due to the combined pressures of working on two projects at once, France withdrew from the Eurofighter program allowing Dassault to focus funds and personnel on their indigenous design. Designated the Avion de Combat eXperimental (ACX) program, its goal was to produce a fighter that met the specifications of the Armee De L'Air and the Aeronavale (The French Navy).
A lack of funding and frequent delays plagued the program, delaying service entry until 2004. The Mirage 4000 fighter, the unsuccessful sister fighter to the Mirage 2000, acted as a technology demonstrator and allowed Dassault to test out many of the features intended for the Rafale. Several Mirage 2000s also received systems designed for the ACX program. The Rafale A prototype first flew in 1986, 12 years before the pre-production model (The model with characteristics closest to those of the aircraft intended for service) took to the skies. These early aircraft were sometimes designated Rafale D to advertise new stealth capabilities possessed by the aircraft. The initial C model that entered service with the Armee De L'Air featured a slightly smaller airframe than the Rafale A, and a wide array of AG and AA munitions. A tandem two-seat trainer and strike-capable Rafale B variant followed, as did the Rafale M navalized fighter.
The Rafale M is the definitive and only naval version of the Rafale, and boasts a 4/5 commonality rating with the land based Rafale C, the only differences being several additions that allow for it to operate on carrier decks. Weighing merely 9800 Kg empty and approximately 25,000 Kg fully loaded, it is not a heavy platform. The key to keeping the Rafale M's airframe light yet strong is the excessive use of composite materials such as carbon fibre, and aluminum alloys. Like many of Dassaults Mirage-series aircraft, the Rafale M possesses a delta wing but not tailplanes, and is incredibly manoeuvrable. Large canard foreplanes on either side of the cockpit allow for tighter turns and better take-off/landing performance. An extended inflight refuelling probe allows compatibility with air-tankers, which can increase the combat radius of the craft. A strengthened undercarriage, arrestor hook, and catapult launch bar are the primary features which separate the Rafale M from the slightly lighter Rafale C model. The Rafale M's powerplant consists of two SNECMA M88-2 afterburning thrust turbofan engines rated at 50.04 kN each.
The Rafale M carries an array of complex avionics and electronics equipment which sets it apart from earlier Dassault aircraft, which boasted performance but lacked the size to carry a large amount of equipment. The nosecone housed a Thales RBE2 multimode radar capable of tracking a variety of targets at once. ILS aerials, IR scanners, ECM antennas and the very distinctive ECM pod on the tailfin are only some of the sophisticated systems present on the aircraft. The pilot sits on a Martin-Baker Mk 16 zero-zero ejection seat in the Rafale M's cockpit. A three-piece glass canopy gives the pilot unrivalled all-around visibility, and is also present on the B and C models. Unlike other naval aircraft, the Rafale M possesses side-mounted control sticks, as well as ultra-modern TV-Screens and an HUD for the pilot. No less than thirteen hardpoints compatible with AG, AA, and other types of ordnance including conventional and nuclear weapons give the Rafale M a massive punch. Triple racks can be added to increase the amount of missiles that the Rafale M can carry. A large 30mm GIAT 30/719B cannon with 125 shells is positioned on the starboard side of the cockpit. Drop tanks and additional Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) pods add to the type's versatility. The Rafale C and B models possess one extra hardpoint than the Rafale M.
The Rafale C, B, and M variants all entered service in the early 2000s, with all but the latter variant serving from land based airfields. All three variants entered service under the F1 standard with mainly fighter capabilities, although the B model possessed a slight edge in the strike role. Not until the aircraft were upgraded to F2 (Multi-role) and F3 (Reconnaissance, target-designation and nuclear strike capable) standard and became multi-role fighters did their current roles come into existence. Originally, the M and C models were intended to be mainly fighters, while the B model would carry out some training duties and primarily attack/strike missions. Due to these upgrades, most Rafale Bs are equipped for the training and nuclear strike roles, and the rest for conventional attack duties. The B variant can also carry out the same duties as the C and M variants by shutting down the rear seat position and becoming a single-seat fighter. The C and M variants with their new multi-role capabilities were used to carry out primarily air superiority missions and supplement the B model in strike missions.
Rafales got their first taste of combat in the Afghanistan conflict, dropping precision ordnance on Taliban forces. In a recent twist of irony, the Middle-Eastern nation of Libya ordered the Rafale on the assumption it would increase their air superiority and attack capabilities. However, it was French Rafales that were the first aircraft to bomb Libyan bases on March 19, 2011. Rafales continue to fly CAPs (Combat Air Patrols) today over Libya and will likely remain in Aeronavale and Armee De L'Air service for many years.
Written by: Pace51