The article states:
And in the data sheet (Rafale B):
This datasheet and article refers to the weights as basic Empty (with equipement and undrained fuel) NOT Empty, more to it the B01 is ALSO an instrumented aircraft.
Please inform yourself as to what the difference between them is.
Thank you. 😎
Here are the empty weights for the C and B versions as provided by the French Minister of Defense as well as that of the M (to compare with the actual Marine Nationale website) weights and difference between them EMPTY.
Masses :
à vide : 10 196 kg
maximale : 24 000 kg
à vide : 10 196 kg
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/decouverte/equipements/aeronefs/rafale_m
I disagree!! 🙂
Try a technical discution with a Squadron pilot then with a test pilot.
You will realise how different the thinking is, a test pilot would analyse and compare performances according not only to what he knows by flight experience but also specific training, more stringent (and specific) standards and procedures as well as further theories and general knowlege of the subject of flying fast jests to their ultimate limits.
For example the Rafale Demo Pilots needs to train specificaly for it, it is already a different thinking and level of flying altogether.
He’s got a pretty good idea of what the performances in the Typhoon or Gripen are like, even so (we don’t know) he didn’t fly them.
He also have a great experience of modern, agile Aircraft with the Mirage 2000 unless you believe that this definition is reserved to F-16 MLUs.
arthuro
He is perfectly entitled to speak about 4th and 5th gen ! Hey we do it all the time and we even haven’t got a single ride in a 4th gen jet !
Since when is Rafale a 4th generation jet anyway?
It flew 5 or 6 years before YF-22, same for Mirage 2000 not being (modern and agile), Rafale is already equiped with “5th generation” systems and there are newer, more performant sensors to come, we know it (what we don’t know for sure is the state of the 90 Kn engine developement).
Simultaneous Firing of the AASM-IR and the MICA-EM
(Source: French Air Force; issued Nov. 9, 2009)
(Issued in French; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
A French air force Rafale has for the first time fired an AASM guided bomb and a Mica air-to-air missile during the same mission, demonstrating its operational flexibility. (French AF photo)On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 a Rafale belonging to the French air force’s trials unit, the Centre des Expériences Aériennes Militaires (CEAM) at Mont-de-Marsan, fired during a single mission two types of weapons into the Biscarosse firing range.First, the aircraft fired an AASM-IIR (air-ground modular weapon) equipped with an infra-red imaging (IIR) homing head to engage a ground target. The AASM-IIR hit the target area with the expected accuracy after having traveled thirty miles from the point of firing off the coast.
The aircraft then fired a Mica EM (missile interception, combat and self defense) air-to-air missile fitted with a radar homing head, and hit a remote-controlled target simulating an aerial threat. Both firings were successful.
These firings demonstrate the Rafale’s ability to deliver long-range precision weapons while retaining its self-defense capabilities against aerial threats.
The AASM-IIR is an improved variant of the AASM INS / GPS (inertial guidance hybridized GPS) guided bomb used since 2008 in Afghanistan.Like the previous version, the AASM-IIR has a guidance system that combines GPS and INS (inertial navigation), but adds an infrared guidance system.
With hybrid GPS/inertial guidance, the accuracy obtained is metric (between 5 and 10 meters). By adding an infrared imager, accuracy increases to less than five meters.
After release from the aircraft, the AASM-IIR heads to the designated target area whose coordinates were previously programmed into the inertial navigation system. In the terminal phase, the weapon is guided to the target by comparing the observed scene to the one in its memory, thereby increasing accuracy of the point of impact.
Both versions of the AASM offer a flexible precision-guided attack capability, while allowing the Rafale to remain outside the effective range of enemy defenses, thereby adding to its operational versatility as it can simultaneously fly close air support and deep strike missions.The CEAM hopes to deliver the AASM-IIR to operational units in early 2010.
A third version of the weapon, the AASM Laser, whose use would be preferred against moving targets, is currently under development.
Tir simultané de l’AASM-IR et du MICA-EM
Mardi 27 octobre 2009, un Rafale, du centre d’expériences aériennes militaires (CEAM) de Mont-de-Marsan, a délivré, au cours de la même mission, deux types d’armement, dans la zone du centre d’essais et de lancement de missiles de Biscarosse. Le Rafale a tiré dans un premier temps l’AASM-IIR (armement air sol modulaire) équipé de l’imageur infrarouge (IIR), destiné à traiter une cible au sol. L’AASM-IIR a touché la zone avec la précision attendue, après avoir parcouru une cinquantaine de kilomètres depuis le point de tir au large des côtes. Puis l’avion a tiré un missile air/air Mica (missile d’interception, de combat et d’autodéfense) équipé d’un autodirecteur électromagnétique, sur un objectif téléguidé simulant une menace aérienne. Ces deux tirs ont été réalisés avec succès. Ils démontrent la capacité du Rafale à délivrer un armement de précision de longue portée, tout en assurant sa défense face à des menaces aériennes.
L’AASM-IIR est une évolution de l’AASM INS/GPS (guidage inertiel hybridé GPS), utilisé depuis 2008 en Afghanistan. Comme la version précédente, l’AASM-IIR possède un système de guidage GPS et INS (centrale à inertie), mais aussi un système de guidage par infrarouge. Avec un guidage inertiel «hybridé» GPS, le niveau de précision obtenue est métrique (entre 5 et 10 mètres). En ajoutant un imageur infrarouge, la précision du tir est inférieure à cinq mètres. Après son largage de l’avion, l’AASM-IIR se dirige jusqu’à la zone désignée, dont les coordonnées géographiques ont été au préalable programmée dans la centrale à inertie. Dans sa phase terminale, l’armement se guide en comparant la scène observée au modèle renseigné dans son système afin d’augmenter la précision du point d’impact.
Les deux versions du l’AASM offrent une capacité de tir de précision modulable, tout en permettant au Rafale à rester hors de portée des moyens de défense antiaériens ennemis. Cette précision confère au Rafale une grande polyvalence dans les misions. Il assure simultanément des missions d’appui aérien rapproché (CAS – close air support) et des missions d’assaut avec un tir en profondeur (AI-air interdiction).
Le CEAM espère pouvoir livrer l’AASM-IIR aux forces début 2010. Une troisième version, l’AASM-laser, dont l’utilisation serait privilégiée contre les cibles mobiles, est actuellement en cours de développement.
Texte : Ltt Relly Laetitia
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/breves/2009/novembre/tir_simultane_de_l_aasm_ir_et_du_mica_em
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