The Dassault Rafale is the pride and joy of the French Air Force and Navy. This twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft is capable of doing a wide range of short and long-range missions.
Even in an era of 5th generation fighters, this nimble, and extremely powerful, yet older aircraft couldn’t be ignored.
Beating the United States
One of the most controversial incidents in the international air industry happened during mock combat in November 2009, when a squad of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors flew to Al Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates.
The team performed training exercises with the French Air Force Dassault Rafale fighters and Royal Air Force Typhoon jets. For days, pilots from different nations faced each other in several dogfighting maneuvers. The F-22s shot down six French Air Force Dassault Rafale and drew in five more mock dogfights.
At some point, a stealth fighter was allegedly shot down by a Dassault Rafale. To achieve this, the French fighter pilot pushed his aircraft to the limit, reaching 9Gs and almost passing out due to extreme gravity forces.
It took time for the United States to acknowledge this incident, especially when the French Air Force is deemed much inferior. However, the fact that the Dassault Rafale defeated an F-22 spoke volumes about the undeserved reputation it has gained within the non-French military.
French Effort
Although the French were the first military aviation force in history, they lost more men in the trenches than any Allied nation during World War I. The service also stood no chance against the Germans when World War II erupted.
During the 1970s, the French recognized the need for a new, modern, multi-role fighter to replace its aging stock. Later on, the French eventually produced a remarkable aircraft. After a successful technology demonstrator that first flew in July 1986 as the first stage of an 8-year flight test program, the Dassault Rafale was born.
Burst of Air
The Rafale, which means ‘gust of wind,’ or ‘burst of fire,’ in a more military sense, was first conceived as an Omni-role fighter. This wonder aircraft was built to carry a wide range of missions.
The aircraft eventually replaced more than seven types of combat aircraft.
Nimble
Powered by two SNECMA M88-2 turbofan engines, the aircraft can reach a maximum Mach 1.8 supercruise or supersonic speeds without afterburners.
It’s also highly maneuverable; its delta wing, paired with the canards, allows an airframe with exceptional agility and a capacity to reach up to 11Gs in case of emergency. It also features extensive armaments and is one of the most heavily armed fighter jets in the world.
Operational Service
Because of budget cuts in the Cold War, the aircraft wouldn’t enter service until the 21st century. It first entered service in 2001, and up to this day, is still in production with more than 100 aircraft currently in service.
Without a doubt, this aircraft has proven time and time again that it’s one of the best all-around fighters world.