French Dassault Rafale
Video from the channel Makoto Channel about Dassault Rafale, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 9:39. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.
What it's about
An explainer narrated in English that covers the Dassault Rafale's technologies in nine sections: aerodynamics, versatility, weapons, radar signature reduction, cockpit, engines, network warfare and planned upgrades. The first two minutes are images with music and no narration.
Historical context
The narration presents the Rafale as a replacement for several earlier Mirage versions and as the result of a long process of testing and refinement by Dassault Aviation to give the French armed forces a multirole platform. No dates are given.
Key facts
It highlights the delta wing with canards next to the cockpit and the ability to switch from air superiority to ground attack, reconnaissance or electronic warfare. On weapons it cites the ramjet-powered Meteor air-to-air missile, the SCALP cruise missile and the Exocet anti-ship missile. It describes the measures taken to reduce the radar cross-section, a glass cockpit with touchscreen displays, HOTAS controls and a helmet-mounted display, and two Snecma M88 engines that, according to the narration, allow supersonic flight without afterburner. It closes with the data exchange with other allied platforms and the sensor and stealth improvements planned by the manufacturer.