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Over the years I have seen countless people discuss theoretical designs for a Super Rafale. Quite a few people have used the Super Hornet as an example where all the expensive systems were fitted into a slightly larger airframe with a reduced radar cross section. This allowed the Super Hornet to be a relative low cost development and it might be something France is forced to do due to budget constraints.
This theoretical design will reuse all the key systems from the Rafale F5. All avionics, cockpit displays, radar, ECM, hydraulics, fly by wire systems, life support, landing gear and engines.
Like with the Super Hornet how it went from circular intakes square intakes the Super Rafale will go from circular intakes to square intakes similar to the F-22 and KF-21. Twin canted tails are fitted.
The theoretical design moves the engines apart by a couple feet to make space for a single narrow but deep central weapon bay. This decision was made to allow a single fairly large French nuclear missile.
France has many weapons that are highly suitable for internal carriage. The weapon bay would allow for six MICA medium range missiles on a simple rotary launcher. The MICA missiles are about 75% of the size of an AMRAAM.
Short range defenses would use Mistral missiles that have capability between a Stinger missile and a Sidewinder missile. As they are tube launched Four Mistral missiles take up the same internal volume as a Sidewinder. Two Mistral missiles take up the same internal volume as a typical fighter cannon. With the USAF fitting 70mm rockets to their aircraft to shoot down drones I think the Mistral is a perfect compromise. Mistral is good enough to take out an enemy fighter in the dogfight but cheap and small enough to carry quite a few for the anti-drone work.
In terms of engines the M88 T-rex engines on the Rafale F5 will have 20% increased thrust and will exceed 20,000lb of thrust. This should be sufficient for a Super Rafale with an empty weight around 25,000lb.
In terms of radar cross section it does not need to achieve US 6th generation standards to be competitive. It will still be a huge improvement over the Rafale. If it could achieve F-35 levels of stealth that would be great. The Super Rafale would be paired with the Dassault Neuron loyal wingman drone in high threat environments.
This theoretical design will reuse all the key systems from the Rafale F5. All avionics, cockpit displays, radar, ECM, hydraulics, fly by wire systems, life support, landing gear and engines.
Like with the Super Hornet how it went from circular intakes square intakes the Super Rafale will go from circular intakes to square intakes similar to the F-22 and KF-21. Twin canted tails are fitted.
The theoretical design moves the engines apart by a couple feet to make space for a single narrow but deep central weapon bay. This decision was made to allow a single fairly large French nuclear missile.
France has many weapons that are highly suitable for internal carriage. The weapon bay would allow for six MICA medium range missiles on a simple rotary launcher. The MICA missiles are about 75% of the size of an AMRAAM.
Short range defenses would use Mistral missiles that have capability between a Stinger missile and a Sidewinder missile. As they are tube launched Four Mistral missiles take up the same internal volume as a Sidewinder. Two Mistral missiles take up the same internal volume as a typical fighter cannon. With the USAF fitting 70mm rockets to their aircraft to shoot down drones I think the Mistral is a perfect compromise. Mistral is good enough to take out an enemy fighter in the dogfight but cheap and small enough to carry quite a few for the anti-drone work.
In terms of engines the M88 T-rex engines on the Rafale F5 will have 20% increased thrust and will exceed 20,000lb of thrust. This should be sufficient for a Super Rafale with an empty weight around 25,000lb.
In terms of radar cross section it does not need to achieve US 6th generation standards to be competitive. It will still be a huge improvement over the Rafale. If it could achieve F-35 levels of stealth that would be great. The Super Rafale would be paired with the Dassault Neuron loyal wingman drone in high threat environments.
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