The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The fully versatile Rafale is able to carry out all combat aviation missions: air superiority and air defense, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. Rafale is one of the most seasoned fighter in the world. It has been combat proven since 2007. The export success of the Rafale has been vindicated. Rafale has now more export orders than French orders.
The first batch of 5 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation’s Merignac facility in France is on way to India. One of the world’s most powerful fighter jets will be inducted to the Indian Air Force’s Golden Arrows Squadron in Ambala. IndiaTvNews.com explains what makes the Rafale fighter jets the most destructive, powerful flying machine in the world.
Image Source : DASSAULT AVIATION TWITTER
First ferry of Indian Air Force Rafales to reach Ambala Air Force Station on Wednesday.
The first batch of 5 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation’s Merignac facility in France is on way to India. One of the world’s most powerful fighter jets will be inducted to the Indian Air Force’s Golden Arrows Squadron in Ambala. IndiaTvNews.com explains what makes the Rafale fighter jets most destructive, powerful flying machine in the world. India will be acquiring 36 Rafale fighter jets in a government-to-government deal from France.
Image Source : DASSAULT AVIATION
Rafale is designed to play the role of several combat jets. It has Air-defense / air-superiority; Anti-Access/Aera Denial; Reconnaissance; Close air support; Dynamic Targeting and other features.
Experts believe the design is sufficient to replace seven different fighter aircraft. Rafale can carry out this wide-range of missions and is often termed as the — Force Multiplier.
Rafale fighter jets can attain a maximum speed of 1400 kmph or 704 knots. Its approach speed is less than 224 kmph.
Rafale combat range
Combat range is the maximum range an aircraft can fly when carrying ordnance. Rafale fighter jet with full fuel tank and fully loaded combat weapons can travel up to 3,200-3,700 km.
Optimised airframe and Delta Wing Configuration keeps it fully agile at high-angle of attack
The Rafale, a fully “Omnirole” fighter, is available in three variants:
- Rafale C single-seater operated from land bases.
- Rafale M single-seater for carrier operations.
- Rafale B two-seater flown from land bases.
All three variants share a common airframe and a common mission system, the differences between naval and land versions being mainly limited to the undercarriage and to the arresting hook.
The close-coupled canards/delta wing configuration is key to the combat performance of the Rafale: even at high angle-of-attack, it remains fully agile, and its range performance in strike missions with heavy weapon loads is unmatched for such a compact design.Stability
An advanced digital “Fly-by-Wire” (FBW) Flight Control System (FCS) gives it longitudinal stability and superior handling performance. The FCS is quadruple redundant with three digital channels and one separately designed analogue channel. In simple terms, the control system has three different digital channels (each one independent of another) and one analog channel.
Image Source : DASSAULT AVIATION TWITTER
Indian Pilots, officials of embassy of India and France, members of Dassault Aviation pose for a photo as France hands over first 5 of 36 Rafale fighter jets to India.