The Game-Changer Aircraft for Dassault Aviation Rafale
Overview
Rafale is a multirole, twin-engine fighter jet made and developed by Dassault Aviation (France) for military interception, patrol, and attacking purposes. The Rafale uses the canard delta-type wing. It is a 4.5-generation aircraft capable of an in-depth air strike, air-to-ground interception, and air-to-air interception.
General Specifications
This medium size fighter jet has a length of 15.27 m, a wingspan of 10.90 m and a height of 5.34 m. the total gross weight of this jet is 15000 kg, with a max takeoff weight of around 24500 kilograms. It has a fuel capacity of 4400 kg for single seater and 4700 kg for double seater. Two Snecma M88–4e turbofans are installed in this aircraft, each producing 50.04 kN of thrust and 75 kN of thrust with an afterburner. The aircraft is configured with HOTAS configuration, uses HMD, and uses a glass cockpit. It was designed for reduced radar cross section(RCS) and infrared signature(IR), which gave it an upper hand in stealth ability to avoid being detected on radars. Also, the aircraft features fly-by-wire as well to provide better control to the pilot.
Performance
The aircraft travels with a max speed of 1912 km/hr (1032 kn/Mach 1.8) at high altitudes and 1,350 km/hr(750k/ Mach 1.1) at low altitudes. It supercruises at Mach 1.4.
Armaments
The aircraft carries high-quality ammunition, which includes a 30 mm Giat 30/ M 791 autocannon (125 rounds).
Its missiles include air-to-air missiles (MBDA Mica EM and IR, MBDA meteor, Magic II) and air-to-ground missiles (MBDA Apache, MBDA Storm Shadow/ SCALP-EG, AASM Hammer, Mark 82). The mica, scalp, and meteor missiles used by the aircraft are among the best missiles used by Rafale. The Scalp missile has a range of 250kms but can reach up to 750 km when fired from a greater height and can be guided to the target; hence can be used in variable terrain environments.
Operators
Some countries that use the Rafale are India, Egypt, France, and Qatar. The aircraft can efficiently perform night operations as well. India chose rafales over the Mirage 2000 and Eurofighter typhoon in 2019 and planned to acquire 2 squadrons. The final Rafale was delivered in early 2022, and the jet was stationed in two bases, one squadron at Ambala and the other squadron at Hasimara AFB. The IAF plans to develop and increase the same tech in its other fighter jets. Some of its competitors are the Eurofighter Typhoon, Mirrage 2000 and Saab Gripen. Overall, Rafale will be used worldwide for a long time.
