French Dassault ''Rafale'' Fighter Jet

By Crusader1307

Although designs began in 1986, with prototypes flown in 1991, The French Dassault ''Rafale'' Fighter Jet was only introduced into The French Defense Forces in 2001. A ''Supremacy'' Fighter, The Rafale can be used in close support (ground) as well as Air Interception Duties. The Rafale is also deployed with The French Navy as a Carrier Based Fighter, making it a true multi-purpose and multi-Service Fighter. It is currently deployed in The Global War on Terror by France – having seen combat service over Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Egypt has also purchased The Rafale for use in their Air Forces. Seen as a late ''Cold War'' Fighter Jet, The Dassault Rafale supports (2) Crewmen. As a ''Fixed Delta'' wing Fighter (Canad), wingspan measures 36-feet. Over all, the Fighter is 50-feet in length. (2) Snecma M88 Turbofan Engines create 11,200-IBF Thrust. Mach 1.1 airspeed (1,300-mph on the Low end, with an Afterburn of 1,900-mph) is achieved. Operating at a ceiling of 50,000-feet, The Rafale is equipped with some of the most advanced electronic counter-measures used by France. Conversely, The Rafale can support most Air to Air Missile Systems currently deployed by NATO (to include Nuclear). The GIAT 30mm Auto-Cannon is installed.