- Yes
- No
Dassault Rafale B F.4.1 - First Step of Further Modernizations
Hi and welcome to my 12th suggestion, which is about the Dassault Rafale B F.4.1 
After I already suggested other vehicles, the Flankers, the german Leopard ATD, KF51, Rafale M LF.1 and F.3R. With the official annoucement of the first Rafale with F.4.1 being delievered for tests and validation, I have decided to propose these as well. the F.4.1 standard has not brought about any major changes (yet), but is important for future selection for France’s top tier range, as it is the first Rafale standard with fully operational HMD and AASM-1000.
First of all:
- This is a suggestion for an Aircraft we could see in game at some point in the Future , that doesn´t mean next Patch or somewhere in the near Future
- I don´t want to force Gaijin to rush Top-tier air in any way
- Feel free to share more Data and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Basic Background
After the decision in 1987 to develop the Rafale A into a series aircraft, the contract for development with an industrial consortium was signed on April 21, 1988. In addition to Dassault, this consisted of Thomson-CSF and Snecma. For further testing, four near-series prototypes were built, which were equipped with extensive test instrumentation. The first to take off was the only Rafale C 01 single-seat aircraft - a second prototype of the single-seater was canceled - on May 19, 1991. On December 12, 1991 and November 8, 1993, respectively, the two naval single-seater prototypes Rafale M 01 and M 02 flew for the first time. On April 30, 1993, the only two-seater, the prototype Rafale B 01, took off for its maiden flight.
In the summer of 1992, the M 01 was moved to the US Naval Air Station Lakehurst to test catapult launches on the test catapult there - the French carriers use American catapult technology. In April of the following year, the first real porter operation finally took place on the Foch. In 1993 the first prototype of the RBE2 radar, which had been developed since 1989, was delivered. In addition, the first weapon tests with the cannon and the Magic II were carried out in March of that year. Two years later a MICA EM was fired from a Rafale for the first time and in 1996 the first shot at a moving target followed with a Matra Magic II. Also from 1996 the M88-1 engines were replaced by the production variant M88-2E1 and that Defense system SPECTRA integrated. Tests with particularly heavy loads (three 2000 l auxiliary tanks, four air-to-air missiles and two Apache), real-world tests with SPECTRA, multi-target air-to-air missile firing and integration of the production configuration of the RBE2 followed during 1997.
The Rafale B F.4.1 Overall
The Rafale B is the tandem seat version of the Family. The two seats were covered by a one-piece canopy that hinged open to the right. The Rafale B is fully equipped with operational kit, with the control layout for the front and back seats made as similar as possible to ensure maximum operational flexibility. It has an empty weight about 350 kilograms greater than the Rafale C, and less internal fuel capacity.
The literally brand new F.4.1 standard brings with it a number of technical and software improvements, including improvements for the TALIOS TGP. The highlights of the new standard, however, are the complete integration of the AASM-1000, which was previously only used on testbeds with the F.3-4+ standard for testing purposes, but is now to be included as standard in the Rafale armament. Another highlight is the integration of the “Scorpion” helmet with HMCS, which provides the pilot with a QOL update and enables off-bore launching of the MICA and the future planned MICA NG for F.4.2.
Further improvements with the F.4.1 standard: LAM (Third-Party Missile Aircraft Link) for Meteor, newer and larger side screens in the cockpit, major electronics updates and next generation Sensor channels for OFS.
Also new with this standard are new jammers which are mounted on SP3 together with the additional MICA rails, as well as other technical innovations that are not relevant for us.
Armament of Rafale B F.4.1
The Rafale’s armament is expanded by almost every standard. The F.4.1 standard is one of the most modern and, brought many changes with it. In terms of armament, the MBDA Meteor, GBU-16, Mk.81 / 82 / 83 bombs and AM39 Block II Mod.2 AShM are available with this standard. But what is already there should not be underestimated.
Since the AASM is a guidance and range increase kit, it can come with multiple variants and different purpose fillers as each kit is mounted in front and behind a conventional 250 - 1000 kg bomb (HAMMER V1) or BLU-126 (HAMMER V4).
Side note: Four Meteor + four MICA is not possible as off now due technical limitations as off today, two Meteor + six MICA is the best missile config available.
Air-to-Air Missiles
- 8x MICA IR
- 8x MICA EM
- 4x MBDA Meteor
Guided- / Dumb-Bombs
- 3x AASM-1000
- 6x AASM-GPS / -L / -IIR
- 6x GBU-12
- 4x GBU-16
- 6x GBU-22
- 3x GBU-24
- 6x Mk.81
- 6x Mk.82
- 4x Mk.83
Air-to-Surface Missiles
- 3x SCALP-EG
- 1x AM39 Block II Mod. 2
Specifications and Internal
- Crew: 2
- Length: 15.3 m
- Wingspan: 10.9 m
- Height: 5.34 m
- Wing area: 46.0 m2
- Empty weight: 9.060 kg
- Loaded weight: 14.000 kg
- Max. takeoff weight: 19.500 kg
- Powerplant: 2 × SNECMA M88-2E4
- Dry thrust: 50 kN
- Thrust with afterburner: 75 kN
- Maximum speed is Mach 1.9:
- 1400 km/h at sea level
- 2130 km/h at altitude
- Service ceiling: 16.763 m
- Rate of climb: >305 m/s
- Wing loading:
* Min.: 224 kg/m²
* Mid.: 322 kg/m²
* Max.: 536 kg/m² - Thrust/weight:
* Max.: 1,50
* Min.: 0,60 - Maximum g-load: +9g / -3g
Learn more about the Dassault Rafale here:
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
https://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actualites/dga-qualifie-rafale-au-standard-f41
The French Air Force Is Testing The New Rafale F4-1 Standard - The Aviationist
https://air-cosmos.com/article/avion-de-combat-du-punch-en-plus-pour-les-rafale-f4-64097
https://www.aeroflap.com.br/de/nova-versao-do-dassault-rafale-tera-bomba-inteligente-de-1-tonelada/
https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/01/aasm-1000-the-guided-heavy-bomb-homologated-for-the-rafale-f4/
New munition under the French Rafale F4.1 wings - AASM 1000
‘Bunker buster’ for Rafale: Fighter tests 1,000kg version of HAMMER missile - The Week
Dassault-Aviation Rafale M [in french]
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/rafale-multirole-combat-fighter/
FLIGHT TEST: Dassault Rafale - Rampant Rafale | News | Flight Global
Books / Other:
Eurofighter Typhoon & Dassault Rafale by Greg Goebel (2016)
Jane´s All the World´s Aircraft 2011 - 2012
Jane´s All the World´s Aircraft 2007 - 2008
Jane´s All the World´s Aircraft 2000 - 2001
Modern Fighter Aircraft - An Illustrated History of War Planes from 1945 to the Present Day by Francis Crosby (2004)
Canard Aeronautics & Rocket-Powered Aircrafts by Roselle Rosen and Gisele Fowlkes