France's Air Power

The Raffale is France's newest jetfighter.

Length: 50', 2''

Wingspan: 35', 9''

Hight: 17', 6''

Max. T/O: 47 399lbs

Max. Speed: Mach 2

Range: 2000nm air-to-air, 1180 ground attack

Powerplant: 2SNECMA M88-2 augmented Turbofans

Thrust: 21 900lbs, 32 800 w/ afterburners

Armament: One 30mm DETA 791B cannon; Mica Magic AAM's; Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP) stand-off nuclear weapon; Exocet ASM's; conventional bombs

A rafale gearing for a bombing run.

There are four varients of the Rafale. They are:

Rafale A-proof of concept demonstrator.

Rafale B-two seat operational trainer.

Rafale C-for the French Air Force.

Rafale D-carrier borne fighter.

The Rafale flies up to speeds of Mach 2.

250 Rafales are planned for the French Air Force, and 86 for the French Navy.