IOC: 2004
Total Production: 294
Total Program's Cost: USD$14.7 billion
Rafale B
IOC: 2006
Production: 139
Unitary Cost: USD$50 million
Origin:France
Contractor/s:
Dassault-Aviation
Description:
The Rafale is a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft designed to provide improved survivability, lethality, availability and maintainability over current Mirage 2000 aircraft. The Rafale aircraft family will be operational well into the 21st century, beyond 2040. It will be able to accommodate all the current weaponry of the French Armed Forces inventory, as well as munitions available in the future. The Rafale aircraft will perform air defense, surface attack, nuclear deterrent, and reconnaissance missions with minor changes on the airframe.
The Rafale's survivability concept is achieved through the low-observability concept (no-stealth concept) that comprises integrated countermeasures system (Spectra), two engines, reduced or discreet IR and radar signatures, advanced integrated electro-optical sensors (Rafale FSO) and an electronically scanned array radar (RBE2) providing advanced capabilities. In addition, latest generation weapons will allow the Rafale aircraft to operate from standoff ranges. The use of pods is requested for air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions being available Damocles targeting pod, Recce NG reconnaissance pod, and NAVFLIR navigation pod.
The Rafale aircraft will be available in three 3 models: Rafale M for carrier based operations, and Rafale B and C for conventional airfield based operations. They will replace up to 6 aircraft types within the French Armed Forces (Super Etendard, Crusader, Mirage F1, Jaguar, Mirage IV, and early Mirage 2000). Current Rafale aircraft are delivered in the Standard F1 comprising air-to-air capabilities. The F2 will be available in 2005 adding air-to-ground capabilities to the Standard F1. Standard F3, the last one, will be available in 2007 and will allow the use of nuclear weapons aboard the Rafale aircraft.
The Rafale's weapon options comprises a built-in 30mm gun, Mica air-to-air missiles, Exocet, Apache, ASMP, and Scalp EG air-to-surface missiles as well as Paveway II and BGL bombs. In the future the Rafale could incorporate the AASM, ASMP-A, ANF, and Meteor missiles improving its air-to-air and air-to-surface performance.
The two-seat Rafale B has been designed to perform precision ground attack, reconnaissance and nuclear strike missions. It will replace current Jaguar, Mirage F1, Mirage IV and Mirage 2000N aircraft. The French Air Force requires up to 139 Rafale Bs through 2019 to replace aging aircraft. The Rafale B is scheduled to achieve IOC in 2006.
On September 24, 2004, the French Ministry of Defense awarded a €3.1 billion multiyear contract for 59 Rafale aircraft to an industry team comprising Dassault Aviation (€1.5 billion), Snecma (€600 million), Thales (€500 million), MBDA and Sagem. The Rafale aircraft ordered by the French Armed Forces will be furnished following the multi-role standard F3 specifications. Deliveries are expected to begin in June 2008 and will continue through January 2012. Under the terms of the multiyear contract, the French Air Force will receive 36 twin-seat Rafale Bs replacing aging Mirage F1 and Jaguar aircraft.
French Minister of Defense, Alliot-Marie, announced that the third batch of Rafale, comprising 59 aircraft, turn into firm order on December 6, 3004, during a speech at the French Senate about Defense budget. The Rafale first batch contract was awarded in 1994 and was set for 13 aircraft. The second order was awarded in 1999 for 48 aircraft. The third order was announced in September 2004 consisting of 59 aircraft and 118 engines. The total number of Rafale ordered for the French armed forces now stands at 120 units.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 30 mm
Dimensions: Height 5.3 m, Length 15.3 m, Wingspan 10.9 m
Weights: Max Weight 24,500 kg (54,012 lb), Min Weight 10,000 kg (22,046 lb), Payload 9,500 kg (20,944 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 34,000 lb (15,422 kg)
Performance: Endurance 3 hours, Max Range 1,900 km (1,026 nm), Top Speed 598 mps (Mach 1.80)
France / 139 