What Is The Dassault Rafale?
The Dassault Rafale. Omnirole French fighter capable of simultaneous air defence, deep strike, and carrier-based maritime assault.
France
Origin
Multirole
Role
Mach 1.8
Top speed
15,950 m
Service ceiling
Dassault Rafale Specifications
The Dassault Rafale is a multirole French twin-engine delta-canard fighter, designed for land-based air forces and naval aircraft carriers. Reaching Mach 1.8 with M88 turbofans, it integrates RBE2 AESA radar, SPECTRA electronic warfare suites, and heavy precision payload wings.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 1.8 (1,190 mph)
Service ceiling
52,350 ft (15,950 m)
Combat radius
1,000 nmi (1,850 km)
Rate of climb
60,000 ft/min (305 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
50 ft 1 in (15.27 m)
Wingspan
35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)
Empty weight
22,600 lbs (10,300 kg)
Engine
2x Safran M88-2 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
4 July 1986
Unit cost
$115 million
Operators
France, India, Egypt, Greece, Qatar, UAE, Indonesia, Croatia
What Weapons Does The Dassault Rafale Carry?
The Dassault Rafale features an internal 30mm GIAT 30/M791 autocannon and 14 hardpoints carrying 21,000 lbs of payload, deploying Meteor BVR, MICA missiles, SCALP-EG cruise missiles, and Exocet anti-ship weapons.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
GIAT 30
Category
30 mm Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (125 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
Meteor
Category
Beyond-Visual-Range Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
200 km (124 miles)
MICA IR/EM
Category
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 6 missiles
Range
80 km (50 miles)
SCALP EG
Category
Stand-Off Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 3 missiles
Range
560 km (348 miles)
Exocet AM39
Category
Anti-Ship Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles
Range
70 km (43 miles)
ASMP-A
Category
Nuclear Stand-Off Missile
Loadout
1 missile
Range
500 km (311 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Dassault Rafale?
The Rafale reaches Mach 1.8, around 1,190 mph, and can supercruise at Mach 1.4 carrying a useful load. It is slightly slower than the Typhoon but carries a heavier and more varied payload, and its SPECTRA electronic warfare suite is regarded as among the most capable fitted to any fighter.
How Was The Dassault Rafale Developed?
France withdrew from the Eurofighter programme in 1985, needing a carrier-capable aircraft lighter than the partners wanted. Dassault proceeded alone with the Rafale, first flying the demonstrator on 4 July 1986. Development was long and expensive for a single nation, and service entry came only in 2001 with the French Navy.
Has The Dassault Rafale Seen Combat?
The Rafale has flown in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. Indian Rafales entered service in 2020 and have been deployed along the northern borders. Egyptian and Qatari aircraft have been used in regional operations.
Who Operates The Dassault Rafale?
France, India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the UAE, Indonesia and Serbia have ordered or operate the Rafale. Export success came slowly but accelerated sharply from 2015, and the order book now exceeds 500 aircraft.
Dassault Rafale FAQs
Common questions about the Dassault Rafale, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Dassault Rafale as a civilian?
No, the Dassault Rafale is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Dassault Rafale?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Dassault Rafale, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Dassault Rafale cost?
The Dassault Rafale is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the Dassault Rafale?
The Dassault Rafale is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Dassault Rafale?
The Dassault Rafale is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Dassault Rafale?
The Dassault Rafale is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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