french pronunciation literally meaning gust wind burst fire military sense french twin engine delta wing fighter aircraft designed built equipped wide range weapons intended perform air supremacy aerial reconnaissance ground support depth strike anti ship strike nuclear missions referred aircraft late 1970s navy seeking replace consolidate current fleets aircraft order reduce development costs boost prospective sales france entered arrangement european nations produce multi purpose fighter subsequent disagreements differing requirements led france pursuit development program built technology flew july year flight test programme paving way ahead project distinct european fighters era entirely built country involving france major defence contractors aircraft features direct voice input active array radar frontal red search track domestically developed produced programme originally scheduled enter service suffered significant delays post cold war budget cuts changes priorities aircraft available main variants single seat land based version twin seat land based version single seat carrier based version introduced produced carrier based operations french_navy marketed export countries selected purchase combat afghanistan libya iraq syria upgrades weapons planned introduced development origins mid-1970s air navy marine requirements new generation fighters replace enter service requirements similar reduce cost departments issued common request proposal initiated studies new aircraft complement upcoming smaller aircraft differing roles french company joined european collaborative fighter project renamed european combat aircraft french company contributed aerodynamic layout prospective twin engine single seat fighter project collapsed differing operational requirements partner country future european fighter aircraft programme initiated bringing italy spain west_germany france united_kingdom jointly develop new fighter aircraft developments number factors led eventual split france countries france reiterated requirement carrier capable version demanded leading role insisted swing role fighter lighter design favoured nations west_germany italy opted established new programme august west_germany italy agreed ahead confirmed france spain chosen proceed member project despite pressure france spain rejoined project early september nation project eventually resulted development design phase prototype france government proceeded programme required aircraft capable air air air ground day adverse weather operations unlike contemporary european fighter projects required level international collaboration cost sharing france sole developer airframe propulsion system armament aircraft replace multitude aircraft perform roles previously filled assortment specialised platforms including jaguar air october december prior france joining received contracts development project act combat meaning tactical combat airplane following year research began studying possible configurations new fighter meaning bird prey march number configurations narrowed combination delta wings single vertical tail fin october announced build technology named experimental combat airplane short france wanted collaborate west_germany project prepared build government decided proceed combat variant conflicting technical criteria respective participant nations resultant technology large delta winged fighter moving fly wire flight control system construction commenced march contract signed france defence agency technology rolled december took maiden flight july southern france hour flight project chief test pilot took aircraft altitude metres speed stopped metres landing flight test programme performed numerous day night offs landings aboard carriers investigate pilot field view carrier operations reached speed mph height metres initially powered instead reduce risk comes flight considered sufficiently mature initial trials programme replaced port enable aircraft reach demonstrate sustained flight use flights pilots retired january time maiden flight france entered unsuccessful talks belgium denmark netherlands norway possible collaboration multinational project time belgium reportedly interested june prime minister declared country proceed billion project subsequently april french government awarded contract prototypes expected scheduled enter service fall berlin wall signalled end cold war need reduce national deficit compelled french government drastically reduce defence budget budget programme cut million reduced size orders companies involved claimed production management led higher costs delayed entry aircraft service reorganised completely phased total upgraded tactical fighter configuration redesignated budget cuts prolonged development considerably flight test programme french government looked potential replacement rapidly aging serving 1950s french_navy entered talks purchase second hand australia canada decision upgrade navy agreed supply french_navy testing aboard french aircraft carrier french government proceed purchase twin engine fighter testing meet roles expected new aircraft air_force required variants single seat meaning fighter literally hunter prototype model designated completed flight signalling start test programme primarily aimed test engines man machine interface weapons expand flight envelope budget constraints second single seat prototype built differed significantly identical technology smaller gold coated canopy design fuselage fin joint addition radar materials ram aircraft saw extensive application composite materials reduced radar cross section weight opted reject variable engine dedicated air brake maintenance loads saves weight prototype seat variant maiden flight april kilograms heavier single carried litres gal fuel aircraft weapon systems testing later tasked weapon separation specifically carriage heavy loads aircraft typical consisted gal external tanks cruise missiles addition air air missiles navy sought carrier based aircraft fleet super navy initially long term requirement met naval prototype flew december followed second november france land based catapult test facility catapult trials initially carried july august early following year new_jersey aircraft carried trials aboard carrier april flown chief test pilot maiden flight november year prototype completed round testing november december features greatly reinforced cope additional stresses naval landings hook jump extends short including catapult launches features built ladder carrier based microwave landing system new fin tip system navigation system external equipment altogether naval modifications increase weight kilograms compared variants retains percent air_force variants including unusual land based aircraft unable fold multi wings reduce storage space size constraints offset introduction france nuclear powered carrier considerably larger previous carriers production upgrades initially trainer gulf war showed second crew member strike reconnaissance missions air_force switched preferences announcing variant constitute percent fleet service originally envisaged taking delivery initially revised downwards aircraft models later aircraft navy order budget cuts single seat later cancelled production aircraft series formally started december suspended november political economic uncertainty production resumed january agreed aircraft firm options production run delivery order announced december november french government ordered additional aircraft total order navy design phase took advantage dimensional interactive application dimensional computer aided design manufacture engineering software suite standard industry enabled efficiency improvements programme implemented recently developed processes digital product data management consisted components assisting aspects design manufacture life support according french magazine apart non sensitive components sourced united_states manufactured entirely france different elements produced numerous factories country final assembly takes place near airport example flight control surfaces fabricated wings centre fuselage engines roughly percent produced half divided major partners rely network altogether programme employs workers process fighter took months annual production rate aircraft deliveries naval version high priority replace navy considerably aged production model french_navy undertook flight july naval deployment board march aircraft carrier stationed complement undertook training operations december air_force received standard centre tasked undertake operational evaluation pilot conversion training total programme cost billion translated unit programme cost approximately million figure takes account improved hardware standard includes development costs period years including inflation unit price million version french officials reportedly considering launch satellites upgrades consideration included software radio satellite link new laser targeting pod smaller bombs enhancements aircraft data fusion capacity july upgrades battlefield communications capabilities commenced january defence minister announced billion allocated development standard standard integration missile weapons software updates standard planned primary combat aircraft later design overview developed modern jet fighter high level agility chose combine delta wing active close coupled maximize aircraft capable solo display maximum reached case emergency unstable aircraft uses digital fly wire flight controls artificially enforce maintain stability aircraft act reduce minimum landing speed knots mph flight low knots mph observed training missions according sufficient low speed performance operate aircraft carriers ski jump modifications aspect stealth aircraft cost viewed excessive designed reduced radar cross section infrared signature order reduce changes initial technology include reduction size tail fin fuselage engine air underneath aircraft wing extensive use composite materials patterns construction trailing edges wings surface area composite features designed reduce visibility threats remain classified cockpit glass cockpit designed principle data fusion central computer information display pilots simpler command control primary flight controls arranged hands throttle stick configuration right handed stick controller left handed throttle seat inclined angle improve force tolerance provide restricted external pilot view intelligent flight suit worn pilot automatically controlled aircraft counteract response calculated forces great emphasis placed pilot workload operations features highly cockpit integrated direct voice input system allowing range aircraft functions controlled spoken voice commands pilot access controls developed capable managing radio communications systems selection armaments radar modes controlling navigational functions safety reasons deliberately employed safety critical elements aircraft operation final release armaments displaying information gathered range sensors aircraft cockpit features wide angle head display system head flat panel colour multi function displays central display displays strategically placed pilot distraction external environment displays feature touch interface ease human computer interaction head mounted display target controlling optional according customer preferences integrated cockpit fully compatible night vision area life support fitted mark zero zero seat capable operation zero speed zero altitude board oxygen generating system developed need carry oxygen flight computer programmed counteract pilot employ automatic recovery aircraft negative flight conditions auto pilot controls integrated activated switches located primary flight controls equipment core systems employ integrated called data processing unit architecture hosts main aircraft functions flight management system data fusion fire control man machine interface total value radar electronic communications self protection equipment percent cost entire aircraft installed upgraded fighters incorporated civilian according greatly assists combat operations data fusion continuous integration analysis systems aircraft designed incorporation new systems service life features integrated defensive aids system named protects aircraft airborne ground threats developed joint venture methods detection incorporated system designed highly addressing new threats incorporating additional sub systems future operations libya greatly assisted allowing perform missions independently support dedicated suppression enemy air defences platforms ground attack capability heavily reliant sensory targeting pods reconnaissance pod electro optical laser designation pod systems provide targeting information enable tactical reconnaissance missions integrated architecture provide analysed data feeds friendly units ground stations pilot provides targeting information armaments carried directly integrated secure radio communicate target information aircraft performs key functions aerial optical surveillance integrated navigation system designation pod described lacking compared rivals sniper pods work began upgraded pod designated additional sensors added ability transmit live video feeds new targeting pod officially unveiled air expected integrated reconnaissance pod weather night day capable reconnaissance system employed provides significantly improved reconnaissance capability preceding platforms designed perform reconnaissance mission profiles condition multiple day night sensors independent communications radar sensors outfitted passive multi mode radar claims achieved increased levels awareness compared earlier aircraft earlier detection tracking multiple air targets close combat long range interception real time generation dimensional maps terrain following real time generation high resolution ground maps navigation targeting early reported technical difficulties radar delayed development months september reported unit cost significantly increased additional development work improve detection range active array radar replaces previous reported deliver greater detection range improved reliability reduced maintenance demands preceding radar began test flights totaled flight hours december december production pre series radars underway early october equipped radar arrived operational service development described time budget early air_force line squadron supposed receive equipped radar following french_navy slated receive equipped starting enable perform air supremacy role includes passive systems sector electro optical system developed completely integrated aircraft operate visible infrared enables deployment infrared missiles visual range distances detecting identifying airborne targets ground sea describes immune capable providing covert long range surveillance improved version deployed operationally armaments standards initial deliveries france standard equipped air air combat duties lacked armaments air ground operations later deliveries standard added capability conducting air ground reconnaissance operations standard delivered french_navy starting onwards deliveries nuclear capable standard reported aircraft built earlier standards upgraded standard capable undertaking different mission roles range equipment air defence superiority missions air air missiles precision ground attacks typically cruise missiles air surface armaments addition anti shipping missions carried sea missile reconnaissance flights use combination onboard external pod based equipment furthermore aircraft conduct nuclear strikes armed missiles france ordered visual range missiles greatly increase distance engage aerial targets missile enters service compatibility armaments varying types origins onboard store management system electrical interface aircraft carriage stores incorporation existing weapons equipment typically outfitted version suitable heavy armaments equipment auxiliary fuel tanks maximum external load capacity tons addition equipment carries cannon outfitted range laser guided bombs ground attack munitions according onboard mission systems enable ground attack air air combat operations carried single sortie functions capable simultaneous execution conjunction increasing versatility engines fitted engines capable providing lbf dry thrust lbf engines feature advances including non chamber single crystal turbine blades powder technology reduce radar infrared signatures enables carrying missiles drop tank qualification engine ended production engine delivered end year delays engine production early temporarily powered engine flew time engine upgraded variant greater thrust lower maintenance requirements preceding engine design ease construction maintenance enable older engines improved availability existing upgraded standard interest powerful engines potential export customers thrust variant engine designated development operational history france december air arm french_navy received fighters following year squadron previously operated squadron operate officially activated prior delivery sixth immediately participated aboard aircraft carrier warships nations maritime exercise navy tested simulated foreign aircraft addition carrier offs landings years training declared operational french_navy june fully compatible navy aircraft carriers french_navy pilots qualified fly aircraft navy flight decks june exercise uss harry french jet fighter foreign navy engine replaced board american aircraft carrier deployed combat zone seven embarked aboard french_navy mission french participation operation enduring freedom flew aircraft carrier afghanistan standard air ground missions action june conducted patrols near india pakistan border delivered years naval variant initially centre trials training role time expected fighter squadron saint receive nucleus summer preparation operational service robust air air stand air ground precision attack capabilities starting aircraft single crash program given ability drop laser guided bombs view engaging afghanistan aircraft belonging air_force deployed marine navy board mission occurred march launched march support dutch troops marking operational début january december minimum stationed international airport conduct combat operations support nato ground forces march french began conducting reconnaissance strike missions libya support initial targets artillery pieces laying siege rebel city operate libya support aircraft onboard self defence system instead march reported destroyed light attack trainer aircraft runway conflict typically conducted hour sorties carrying armament air air missiles hammer bombs targeting pod drop tanks patrols required multiple aerial operations sortie coalition tanker aircraft precision guidance weapon system bombs weighing kilograms kilograms allowed conduct high altitude bombing missions reportedly crews preferred use gps guided munitions greater reliability range weapons deployed sorties including aviation journalist speculated performance libya likely pivotal export future reporting maintained high operational rate deployment noted combat experience caused urgent operational requirements present need lighter ground attack modify weapon effective close air support role january took french military intervention support government west_africa mission carried january took france strike rebel training camps depots facilities city eastern subsequent following days fighters reportedly instrumental withdrawal militant forces aircraft conflict based outside north_africa making use aerial tanker aircraft fly long range sorties august proposed france number delivered years total aircraft delivered period foreign export viewed critical maintain production proposal production slowed france receive number overall september began flying reconnaissance missions iraq france contribution international effort combat islamic state later initially tasked identifying positions support flying september joined american operations conducting attacks launching strikes near northern iraqi town destroyed logistics depot killed dozens fighters december american french military officials reportedly discussed possibility french naval flying combat missions navy class aircraft carrier soon january enable continued french_navy operations undergoes year half long major refit scheduled begin early launched landed carriers demonstrate time fly combat missions deployed carrier room french_navy support crews familiar maintaining spare parts munitions egypt november reported sources including french newspaper egypt negotiations france purchase subject financing agreement february countries negotiating loan france export credit agency reach export agreement fighters egypt hoped complete deal quickly aircraft display inauguration canal expansion august february egypt international customer officially ordered larger deal including frigate supply missiles worth billion billion july official ceremony marking acceptance egypt held aviation flight test center january egypt received total fighters aircraft seat models diverted delivery egypt order single seat models june reported egypt negotiations acquire additional total january evaluated alongside boeing super lockheed martin lightning replace inventory june claimed close signing contract april announced french president order option buy additional aircraft billion billion deal signed india aircraft competing indian competition fighters originally considered competition withdrew favour february french flew demonstrations india including air air combat april billion contract january announced preferred proposed supplied fly away condition remaining manufactured india transfer technology agreements contract services parts worth billion deal stalled disagreements production india refused responsibility manufactured reservations ability accommodate complex manufacturing technology transfers aircraft instead said negotiate separate production contracts companies instead wanted solely responsible sale delivery aircraft times_of_india reported negotiations track plans delivered point contention provision percent deal earnings india defence sectors purchases technological expertise march sides reported agreed aircraft delivered india flying condition remaining percent built december reported india france expect sign contract march april prime minister visit paris india requested rapid delivery fly away condition indian defence minister stated inducted years india officially withdrew aircraft tender july shortly india france missed july target aircraft agreement previously agreed terms april totaled billion aircraft costing million offset requirement percent deal value france india defense sector create infrastructure india operate india insisting percent offset bases france says increase price require separate infrastructure sets maintenance training armament storage facilities january indian government directed undertake detailed potential start naval version aircraft carriers government wants logistics fighters navy air_force lead buy naval fighters june negotiations ongoing potential operators analysts view relatively quick series orders egypt india influenced arab spring uncertainty involvement middle_east canada aircraft proposed meet canada need modern jet fighter replace aging according report compiled canada reviewing competing aircraft noted concerns forces unable confirm engine performance cold weather conditions july canadian government announced replacement lightning country partner joint strike fighter program tier partner december canadian government announced purchase abandoned greatly escalating costs fresh process begin january responded request information canadian government announced readiness enter future competition future fighter aircraft considered meet requirement including january reported offered contract transfer technology allow canada perform support upgrades lowering long term service costs finland june working group set proposed starting called program replace current fleet group recognises potential types boeing super lockheed martin lightning december finnish sent letter great_britain france sweden united_states informed fighter project launched goal project replace fleet decommissioned multi role fighters project named mentioned letter potential fighter program request information concerning sent latest march tender sent spring buying decision scheduled place malaysia contenders replacement looking equip squadrons new fighter aircraft estimated budget billion billion billion billion competitors program boeing super interested upgraded version powerful engines radar advanced air air missiles october confident billion deal aircraft signed deputy supreme commander november called french offer france asked pay billion total cost upgrade consequently started explore purchase super newspaper reported february considering billion deal gulf air forces led renewed interest kuwait january president stated discussing potential sale official visit december announced decided proceed deal supply defence security services including supply typhoon aircraft september announced acquire addition upgrades existing 2000s november reported major general commander confirmed final negotiations purchase failed bids marketed export countries commentators industry sources highlighted high cost aircraft detrimental sales prospects acquisition cost roughly million operational cost flight hour comparison costs flight hour operate according article analysis unlike american government relationship boeing lack communication french government hampered worldwide cooperative sales effort demonstrated case morocco brazil june issued request information following aircraft fighting falcon october selected finalists boeing january media reports stated final evaluation report placed ahead contenders based unit operating costs february press announced new president brazil decided favour american delay budget constraints december brazilian government selected billion deal equip country air force singapore embarked generation fighter programme replace fleet number options considered conducted detailed technical assessment tests determine final selection following original list competitors reduced final december singapore ordered aircraft according major reason selection superior lacked range capable radar insufficient weapons integration switzerland february reported switzerland considering fighters replace tiger month evaluation started october base consisting approximately evaluation flights typhoon evaluated leaked evaluation report revealed won competition technical grounds november announced planning buy aircraft lower acquisition maintenance costs referendum purchase happened libya january french newspaper reported libya sought deal worth billion december declared libya interest order placed french later came libya international military intervention civil war kuwait february french president announced kuwait considering buying october visit paris defence minister expressed interest said awaiting terms national assembly threatened block purchase accusing defence minister lack transparency manipulated business interests january french defence minister said kuwait waiting purchased kuwait look buy september announced agreement reached kuwait supply chose aircraft fighter competition potentially trouble anglo american negotiations lightning talk purchasing british_royal_navy having abandoned version favour variant october reverted purchasing late reported prospective billion sale morocco fallen government selecting instead french defense minister labelled aircraft overly sophisticated costly defense said offer price financing detrimental negotiations february france offered replace fleet december placed order reports surfaced country preference fighter variants technology flying designation early 1990s emphasise new semi design features version single seat version carrier borne version entered service carrier operations model strengthened airframe longer nose gear leg provide nose attitude larger engines built boarding ladder consequently weighs fighter type cleared operate decks carriers arresting gear demonstrated integrated uss roosevelt carrier air wing exercise called planned missile version budgetary technical constraints cited grounds cancellation proposed reconnaissance oriented variant version single seat version operators egypt egyptian air force service january order france total ordered planned option approximately confirmed delivered delivered robinson air base present fighter present nuclear strike october present jointly operated french naval aviation air base present fighter present tactics development evaluation present fighter french_navy air base present carrier fighter present carrier fighter convert carrier fighter ordered final contract signed order accidents december french air_force twin seat crashed training flight pilot suffered spatial killed accident september unarmed test flights french navy returning aircraft carrier collided mid air kilometres town southwest france test pilot identified killed accident rescued november carrier crashed aircraft supporting allied operations afghanistan pilot ejected safely recovered rescue helicopter carrier later reports said engine stopped fuel confusion pilot switching fuel tanks july joint exercise carrier mediterranean_sea pilot ejected safely recovered american search rescue helicopter carrier uss dwight specifications data french_navy characteristics crew length wingspan height wing area weight kilograms kilograms loaded weight kilograms max takeoff weight kilograms powerplant dry thrust lbf thrust lbf fuel capacity internal performance maximum speed high altitude knots low altitude knots range nmi drop tanks combat radius nmi penetration mission service ceiling rate climb min wing loading thrust weight fuel missile missile version maximum load armament guns rounds air_force versions navy version capacity external fuel ordnance provisions carry combinations missiles air air magic future air ground hammer iii iii enhanced air surface anti ship missile future nuclear nuclear missile targeting pod airborne observation system reconnaissance pod multi function targeting pod future standard drop tanks buddy buddy pod radar warfare system red search track system
Dassault Rafale