The Dassault Rafale: The Plane that Beat the F-16

Discover the incredible journey of the Dassault Rafale, France's iconic fighter aircraft. From its challenging beginnings to becoming a top-tier 4.5-generation multirole fighter, this video dives into its specs, capabilities, and global impact. See how the Rafale stacks up against competitors like the F-16, Su-35, and Eurofighter Typhoon. Join us as we explore the Rafale's impressive legacy and ongoing contributions to modern air warfare.

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[michaelmckeever]

When I was a maintainer at Langley AFB, we got to do an exercise with the French and British. The Dassault Rafale was hands down one of the most gorgeous jets I'd ever seen in real life, even compared to my beloved Raptor.

[jean-martinvonsiebenthal]

While a rafale is indeed a burst of fire in French, it also has the common meaning of a burst of wind (gust). This meaning is more in line with the Dassault tradition of naming they planes after atmospheric and meteorological phenomenons (Ouragan, Mirage, or at least associated with wind for the Etendard and Super-Etendard).

[crystallised]

Such a great piece of engineering. Facts worth mentioning: like said in the video its almost entirely domestically sourced, so you dont have to ask for approval from another country if you want to sell it or use it. And it also won most international competitions its been part of

[walrustrent]

Other advantages of the Rafale :
- maintenance cost is also lower
- freedom of use by the buyer (the US can jam every F-16 bought, and have said so)
- it's the most beautiful combat aircraft

[BruneSixtine]

They say the Rafale isn't multirole but omnirole, because it does different missions at the same time without reconfiguration, unlike other multirole aircrafts.
For exemple, escort and reconnaissance followed by air to ground strike and / or defensive counter air. The ability to accomplish different tasks doesn't come at the expense of effectiveness.
An other thing worth mentionning is that among the coalition against Libya, the French were the first to attack, they've demonstrated they could travel freely the whole Libyan airspace without much concern about Libyan anti-air systems, the Rafale active and passive stealth worked fine.

[MjolnirFeaw]

Just so it is clear: "Rafale" can mean burst of fire, but it can also mean sudden wind, like a gust. Given the focus of Dassault on aerodynamics, I would think this is the main meaning used for the plane.
Besides that, thanks for the video it's good for hear a non-french perspective about it 🙂

[fabriceboel]

C'est tellement rare de ne pas entendre de french bashing que j'en suis sans voix en tout cas merci pour les compliments sur l'avion mais nous aussi on adore votre raptor ❤

[wesmcdowell]

Leave it to the French to create the sexiest fighter aircraft ever! Even with it's Cindy Crawford-esque beauty mark of an unretractable refulling arm, it's still the prettiest dang plane, imo, in service today. Plus it can be launched and recovered by American Carriers!? A++ in my book!!!

[ticijevish]

Rafale means a burst of automatic fire in French, but it also means a sudden gust of fierce wind, such as those that blow intermittently in the Mediterranean part of La Hexagonne.
It's a double entendre name.

[joelchee]

Well, Rafale having a top speed of Mach 1, 8 isn't really an issue, the number of dogfights of planes flying at Mach 2, 0 or more is literally 0

[iyotriantorro]

When the beauty and the beast are merged into one solid platform...

[rickbourne]

The French have made some great jets. The Mirage serious was also impressive, look at the history of Israel using it.

[mynick]

Rafale is just the type of jet that Croatia needs.Fighter, bomber, stealthish.Expensive but history tought us that it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[golfsrm]

great video, you get the essence of this plane, a mix of technical superiority and manoeuvrability. That's why Dassault needs to be at the lead for the FCAS.

[flfydragon]

The most interesting aspects of the rafale is that it carries a lot of technology that is clearly 5th gen, it's monstrously powerful meteor missiles and it's completely unique approach to stealth: active cancellation.
In theory, if perfected, such a system could make any airframe completely stealthy without sacrificing flight characteristifcs, meaning that a future successor of this platform could be a total beast with no comparison.

[michaelmazowiecki]

France has always had a policy of making its own weapons to avoid dependence on others. Cooperative ventures are few and far between as the French are always determined to lead and control such developments.

[newzarte]

As Andrei Nikolaevich said, " ugly airplane dont fly " and damn the rafale flyes high, Marcel Dassault also said something like that , i believe it was " for an airplane to fly well it bust be beautiful" they where both right

[bassamzarkout]

Video should also highlight two important capabilities: supercruise speed (as important if not more important than top speed) and ability for long range deployment and power projection (France to Polynesia in 17 hours)

[Pavlos_Charalambous]

It's multi role nature Combined with the " Projectiles centric" design similar to mirage 2000 makes it prefect for small countries like Greece or Croatia that have to use the same aircrafts on multiple missions and - at least for Greece already have in stock French ammunitions

[BlyGuy]

As a Yankee, I'm partial to the Viper, but the Rafale is such an awesome looking jet. It just looks better than any other Delta wing Fighter,