Over the last decades, air forces have always been the first military component engaged in all crises or conflicts, from the Falklands to the Gulf, from Bosnia to Kosovo, from Afghanistan to Libya, and more recently Mali, the Central African Republic, Iraq and Syria.
Rafale is a twin-engine medium multi-role combat aircraft, manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation. Dassault claims Rafale has 'Omnirole' capability to perform several actions at the same time, such as firing air-to-air missiles at a very low altitude.
Rafale can carry out both air-to-ground, as well as air-to-air attacks and interceptions during the same sortie.
The aircraft is fitted with an on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS) which suppresses the need for liquid oxygen re-filling or ground support for oxygen production.
Crew - 1 / 2
Propulsion - 2 Turbofan Engines
Engine Model - SNECMA M88-2
Engine Power (each)
dry/with Afterburner - 48,7 / 72,9 kN 10948 / 16389 lbf
Speed - 2124 km/h 1147 kts
1320 mph
Service Ceiling - 16.764 m 55.000 ft
Range - 3.704 km 2.000 NM
2.302 mi.
Empty Weight - 9.060 kg 19.974 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight - 22.500 kg 49.604 lbs
Wing Span - 10,80 35 ft 5 in
Wing Area - 45,7 m² 492 ft²
Length - 15,30 m 50 ft 2 in
Height - 5,34 m 17 ft 6 in
First Flight - 04.07.1986
Production Status - in production
ICAO Code RFAL
Data for (Version) - Dassault Rafale C
Variants - Rafale B, Rafale C, Rafale M