Francouzský víceúčelový stíhací letoun Dassault Rafale C COBI 5802 - Armed Forces - kopie

Did you know:

• In 1983, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany joined forces to develop a new multirole fighter aircraft that would outperform the most advanced Russian machines.
• France withdrew from the collaboration and worked on its own project, which resulted in the Rafale fighter.
• Various versions for the French Air Force and Navy were subsequently developed.
• The first units entered service on May 18, 2001, and production is still ongoing.
• The aircraft was designed to be naturally unstable, providing excellent maneuverability.
• Up to 70% of the aircraft’s materials are lightweight and strong composites.
• The installed engines feature a thermal signature reduction system, making them harder to detect by heat-seeking missiles.
• All instrument panel information can be projected onto the pilot’s helmet display.
• The fighter is equipped with the SPECTRA defensive system, capable of identifying threats at long range.
• The aircraft can carry up to five external fuel tanks.
• Across its various versions, more than 250 units have been produced to date.

Technical Specifications: 

• Dimensions: wingspan 10.8 m, length 15.27 m, height 5.34 m
• Powerplant: 2× Snecma M88 turbofan engines with 2× 50 kN thrust
• Weight empty 9 850 kg, maximum takeoff weight 24 500 kg
• Combat radius 2 000 km
• Maximum range 3 700 km
• Maximum speed 2 390 km/h
• Service ceiling 15 235 m
• Rate of climb 304.8 m/s
• Fixed armament: Giat 30/M791 cannon, 30 mm caliber
• Number of weapon hardpoints: 14

Quote from French Minister of Defense Florence Parly:

“The Rafale is on par with any existing fifth-generation fighter. Its design allows continuous modernization to ensure it remains so.”