Dassault Rafale - Variants, Characteristics, Armament and Performance

Machinery of War Discussion Aircraft
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616

Even if the Damage Method remains the same (Penetrator as per the missile, then HE warhead of 160 to 165kg), with a Terminal Guidance Radar (about 6km to 10km from target from what i’ve seen // can be different depending on models/standards)

You must take care of the specifics variants:
→ MM-38 // MM-40 stands for Mer-Mer (“Sea-Sea” for english speakers), so “from ships to ships” Warfare (also been modified for Coastal batteries - Still MM40 but in Ground-Sea mode)

A- the 1974- - MM-38 is the earliest model of the missile
Range 40km
the only missile to have been discontinued from production today.

B- MM-40 is the latest Exocet model, with various standards
MM40 B1 - 1981 - Range 70km
MM40 B2 - 1992 - Range 72km
MM40 B3 - 2010 - Range 180+km (can go 180° to avoid Interception missile)
MM40 B3C - 2023 - Range around 200km
(others improvements)

→ SM39 / SM40 stands for Sous-Mer (“Sub-Sea” for our english friends), is a specific variant made for Submarines Warfare and Tactics
Several Standards appears:
SM39 B1 - 1985 - Range of 50km
SM39 B2 Mod2 - 2009 - Range of 60-70km (in good Sea conditions?)
(others improvements)

a breaking “new born” : the SM40 is an adapted MM40 B3C missile unveiled at Euronaval 2024
MBDA Estimated the Range to 120km for this variant

All SM39/SM40 are shortenned variant of MM40’s in order to enter the 21" torpedo tubes in use of French Subs, explainning the Shortenned Range.

→ AM38/AM39 stands for Air-Mer (“Air-Sea” for our english friends), is a specific variant made for Aerial Warfare and Tactics
the 1977 “Unknown” AM38 (based on MM38) - 5 produced, all fired from SA 321 “Super Frelon” Helicopters without live charges

The Standard:
AM39 B1 - 1979 - Range of 50-70km (depending on aircraft parameters at Launch)
AM39 B2 - 1982 - Range of 50-70km (depending on aircraft parameters at Launch)
AM39 B2 Mod 2 - 2009 - Range of 50-70+km (depending on aircraft parameters at Launch)
(others improvements)

[Maybe a New AM40 will be soon available aswell since MBDA just unveiled the SM40 at Euronaval (current event from 4th to 7th Nov.2024) - Check next Aeronautic Event to found out]

Various Sources (mostly newspapers and wikipedia) used on this post

2 Likes
617

Well yes… I already knew that… I was just agreeing with what you said. In any case, all is well.

618

true, although i’d say it is too slow for modern SAMs and radar now

which is why FC/ASW is being developed

619

Also why the Exocet missile in it’s newer models is able to do/go 180° before re-comitting if required. ^^"

620

ah torpedo style it is then X)

621

Now that we are getting better Afterburners, here is what M88-2E4s look like;

(Very high altitude)

grafik

Bonus:

grafik
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21 Likes
622

Predator Blue and Death Purple sound like good names for those AB colors at day/night

2 Likes
623

image

Well… I mean this is pretty nice

I am willing to bet good money it will be frankenstiend so it gets a gun, the damacoles and the GBUs but is a Rafale M F.1 in all other regards

This is if the list is accurate but this is the reliable source so…

2 Likes
624

It’ll be added, then 3 weeks later be sent to the same sorry state as Gripen.

6 Likes
625

3 weeks of MICA IR? The little Timmys would hate to see me coming

1 Like
626

I will actually cry if it comes in without MICA IR 😿

Though it does further make me sad fat Gripen with extra hardpoints not leaked.

3 Likes
627

Oh cmon you and I both know those are crocodile tears. The MICA IR would be very “balans”

628

I sincerely hold it is about time minor nations get their “better stuff they built”.

Yanks have had too much fun.

4 Likes
629

image
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))))))

5 Likes
630

Which model is that? I’ve only ever seen rafales with up to 4 AAM and that’s only the 4.1 standard iirc

631

It’s mostly a demo/propaganda piece but could be what they plan to equip the F.5 with

2 Likes
632

Yeah that’s what I thought. Hopefully they just “add” the NG missile to give france a boost in range. That would really only make sense if they also added the 77-1 and the 120C-5. Either way it’ll be a rat plane

1 Like
633

They could just give current MICA the missing 30km. 50km max range is MICA IR iirc.

3 Likes
634

Ideally they just fix the regular MICA and the platform does the rest. I would want the NG to be its own thing rather than nerfed to the ground to be on that level.

1 Like
635

the max range is worthless if it doesn’t have the energy to go that distance, and right now it doesn’t. The extra energy lost while maneuvering wouldn’t somehow make it go that far. Really it just needs a stronger booster.