Dossier Rafale : introduction The SpecificationsWhile initial research for the Rafale takes roots around 1976 with the programme "Rapace" (a serie a wind test sessions in the quest for a high maneuverability aircraft) and the ACT92 (Avion de Combat Terrestre 92 : a land based fighter due to enter service in 1992), it's only after the failure of an eventual european partnership and in 1983 that the ACX appeared (the X replaced both the T (Terrestre) and the M (Marine) in ACT/ACM). The ACX became the Rafale A. In order to achieve this, the main lines of the specifications were motivated by the need to replace any fighter in service in the Armée de l'Air, but also in the Marine Nationale (Mirage III, F1, IV and 2000s, Jaguar, Etendard IV, Super Etendard and F-8 Crusader).
This implied that the new generation fighter would have to be the best superiority aircraft possible according to the available means, as well as it was to be able to replace perfectly (= do better) and in an optimal way any other types, from air-to-ground platforms, anti-ship, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike.
Thus, the need was for a multirole fighter, and more accuratly, an "omnirole" designed around the following specifications :
- high maneuverability, high thrust, high angles of attack ;
- high performances at low altitude ;
- good endurance and fire power, all weather, by day and night ;
- eased serviceability and supportability ;
- full multirole aircraft and weapon system ;
- reduction of crew workload ;
- high survivability ;
- high growth potential ;
- use of all existing weapons as well as those to come ;
- high commonality between the different variants.
You'll find, in the forum, other parts of the dossier Rafale which will show you how Dassault, Snecma and Thales answered to the specifications.
This whole part is based mainly on Dassault documents published in 1990, and also partially in the "Air Actu" newspaper of the Armée de l'Air in 1995.
This is a translation of my website :
http://tmor.rafale.free.fr/deux.html
(rules)
