Hobby Master HA9603 | Rafale DG combat trainers, Serial 401, 332 Mira, HAF, 2021

General Background:

Rafale means ”Gust of Wind” or “Gust of Fire”. This aircraft is a twin-engine, canard delta wing, and a multirole fighter. With the varied payload available and electronics the Rafale is capable of carrying out any type of mission. After a disagreement with the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain concerning the “Future European Fighter Aircraft” work sharing Dassault decided to go it alone and began developing the Rafale. In July 1986 the prototype made its first flight. After lengthy delays the Rafale went into production in 2001.

The Aircraft:

On January 19, 2022 the 114 Combat Wing/332 All Weather Squadron “Geraki” (Hawk) received the first six aircraft. This consisted of 2 twin-seat Rafale DG combat trainers (401 – 402) and 4 single-seat Rafale EG multi-role fighters (410 - 413). Originally named Rafale Bs and Cs they were renamed Rafale DG and EG. Prior to delivery to the HAF these aircraft were upgraded to F3-R standards at the factory. Former French Air and Space Force 305 aircraft now 401 was sent to Dassault Aviation for upgrading on July 21, 2021.

General specifications for the Rafale
Number built by 2021 – 237
Crew by variant
Rafale B two-seater operated from land bases.
Rafale C single-seater operated from land bases
Rafale M single-seater operated from carrier
Dimensions
Length - 15.27 m (50 ft 1 in)
Wingspan - 10.90 m (35 ft 9 in)
Height - 5.34 m (17 ft 6 in)
Weight empty
B -10,300 kg (22,708 lb)
C - 9,850 kilograms (21,720 lb)
M - 10,600 kilograms (23,400 lb)
Gross weight - 15,000 kg (33,069 lb)
Maximum take-off - 24,500 kg (54,013 lb)
Powerplant
2 X Snecma M88-4e turbofans, 50.04 kN (11,250 lbf) thrust each dry, 75 kN (17,000 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed
1,912 km/h (1,188 mph, 1,032 kn) / Mach 1.8 at high altitude
1,390 km/h, 860 mph, 750 kn / Mach 1.1 at low altitude
Supercruise - Mach 1.4
Combat range
1,850 km (1,150 mi, 1,000 nmi) on penetration mission with three tanks (5,700 L combined), two SCALP-EG and two MICA AAMs.
Ferry range - 3,700 km (2,300 mi, 2,000 nmi) with 3 drop tanks
Service ceiling - 15,835 m (51,952 ft)
Rate of climb - 304.8 m/s (60,000 ft/min)
Armament
Gun – 1 X 30mm (1.2 in) GIAT 30/M791 auto-cannon / 125 rounds
Hardpoints
14 for Air Force variants (B C)
13 for Navy variant (M)
Missiles Air-to-Air
MBDA MICA EM and IR (most widely used air-to-air missiles on Rafale;
MICA-EM and MICA-IR both used for short-range and also for medium-range BVR combat)
MBDA Meteor
Magic II
Air-to-ground
MBDA Apache
MBDA Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG
AASM-Hammer (SBU-38/54/64)
GBU-12 Paveway II,
GBU-16 Paveway II,
GBU-22 Paveway III,
GBU-24 Paveway III,
GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II
AS-30L
Mark 82
Air-to-surface
MBDA AM 39-Exocet air-launched anti-ship missile (one AM 39-Exocet at the central under-fuselage hardpoint)
Nuclear Deterrence
ASMP-A nuclear missile
Other -Thales Damocles targeting pod
Thales AREOS (Airborne Recce Observation System) reconnaissance pod Thales TALIOS multi-function targeting pod]
Up to 5 drop tanks
Buddy-buddy refuelling pod