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Rafale A
Photo: Duch.seb · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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RafaleA

Air Superiority Fighters · France · 1986
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RafaleA

Rafale A
Rafale A Photo: Duch.seb · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
75
Agility
70
Speed
60
Radar & Avionics
80
Range
55
Stealth
30
Survivability
65
Reliability
60
Technology
90
Cost-Effectiveness
50
Origin France
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraCold War
In service1986
Operators1 countries
Quantity1
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
65
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
14/30
Cold War
56/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
75
Agility
70
Speed
60
Radar & Avionics
80
Range
55
Stealth
30
Survivability
65
Reliability
60
Technology
90
Cost-Effectiveness
50
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Rafale A
Country
Production
1986–
Quantity
1
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
14
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
45
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
65
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Flight1986
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleTechnology demonstrator
  • Generation4.5
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine Typetwin-engine
  • Engine ModelSnecma M88
  • Number of Engines2
  • Thrust (dry, each)50
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)75
  • Thrust-to-Weight0.98
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseYes
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel4,700 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,130 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
  • Cruise Speed1,390 km/h
  • Stall Speed220 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,240 m
  • Ferry Range3,700 km
  • Combat Radius1,850 km
  • Rate of Climb304.8 m/s
  • G-Limit9
  • Takeoff Run450 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length15.27 m
  • Wingspan10.8 m
  • Height5.34 m
  • Wing Area45.7
  • Empty Weight9,500 kg
  • Loaded Weight14,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight24,500 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built1
  • Operators1
  • Variants0
▲Service History2MOD.2
  • Production Start1986
  • Operational StatusPrototype
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1986Production started
40
years in service
1
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE11terms
Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar: a radar system using a phased array antenna to steer and scan electronically.
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
Supercruise is the ability of an aircraft to sustain supersonic speed in level flight without using afterburner.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →