Radar slaved stearing can the AIM-9 since 1977 with the AIM-9J SEAM [Sidewinder Expanded Acquisition Mode]
The only little advantage is LOAL, but limited by the small AESA viewing angle of +-60°. The AIM-9X need finder feedback for HOBS and this is intern not possible without JHMCS. The F-22 in fact is a bad AIM-9-platform without LOAL.
SH and EF are better platforms for HOBS.

What is with the weak SH wing problem.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/aerospace/archives/115509.asp

Still, the “fatigue life issue,” if uncorrected, would drastically shorten the $50 million aircraft’s life span from 6,000 flight hours to 3,000 hours, the documents warn.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/05/17/costly_flaws_found_in_navys_top_jet/

Costly flaws found in Navy’s top jet Wing mechanism wear could halve flight hours

And how would anti-stealth measures have overcome the fundamental limitations as stated in the article? Or are you simply stating your baseless belief?

Maybe use WW-2 technics like minimum bearing (rotating dipol) and sidelobe bearing.

😉
# Rafale (RCS = 0.1~0.2 m2): 140 ~ 200 km
# F-18E (RCS = 0.1 m2): 140 ~ 170 km
# MIG-42 (RCS = 0.1 m2): 140 ~ 170 km
# EF2K (RCS = 0.05~0.1 m2): 120 ~ 170 km
# F-35A (RCS = 0.0015 m2): 50 ~ 60 km
# F/A-22 (RCS < or = 0.0002~0.0005 m2): < or = 30 ~ 45 km

A metall marble with a circumference of 1.5cm or 3 cm has a X-Band -RCS that is four time greater as it geometrical RCS!
Half wave and full wave resonace!
A metall golfball (F-35)has terrible bad RCS for a stealth airplane it’s more like a beach ball!
You can’t use in the sub optical aerea optical formulars!
Not σ = pi·r^2
You must use this formular!
X-Band-RCS for a marble σ = pi·r^2 · 7,11 · ( 2pi·r / λ )^4

The optical area (frequency-independent area) begins above 10 times of Lambda!
THE RCS FALUE BASED ON MARBLES (F-22) and a GOLFBALL (F-35) ARE SOME NTH DEGREE WRONG!

This RCS values all nonsense, the real RCS is classified information!

The last question depends on who operates the Rafale, If for example the IAF selects the Rafale, they may get full ToT and may be able to integrate Israeli and other missiles in the IAF arsenal with the Rafale.

Rafale has no in Israel chance!:diablo:
I say only Mirage-5!
Paid and never delivered! 😉

As I mentioned above: It is true that modern fighter IRST systems like Pirate and FSO can detect several dozens of target at the range of 50 to 70~80 nm if the weather is ideal enough. But in this kind of condition, the pilot can only see several dozens of light spots on his screen. He can’t tell which light spot(s) is/are Raptor(s), not to mention measuring its speed, range, and precise flight path, which are important for finding the proper time to fire.

If you want to use modern fighter IRST systems to do the works of identification (not just light spot, but target’s image), range measuring, and so on alone without the help from radar, then:

1. Even in the ideal weather, its effective range is within 30~55 km.

2. It can only handle one target in one time ~ If there are several dozens of possible light spots needed to be image identified and range measured, the modern fighter IRST systems today can only identify / measuring them one by one within a very limited effective range mentioned above, which shall be very time consuming, and still let Raptor(s) have enough time, space, and chance to do the job of “first find, fist lock, first shoot” without being identified and locked.

But the IRST Atack display indicated that PIRATE is capable to determine the range for more than one target. PPI and B-Scope make no sense with out ranging. IRST use some clutter suppression technic and TBD (Track before Detect). The B-Scope is used for target designation for rockets.
Than is in the 3 -5 Mue band the CO2 peak (4,3 um) and your F-22 produce a huge amount of CO2. Why? It’s a huge fuel guzzler! The F-22 produce a great amount of heat in the stagnations points. At Mach 1.7 125°K above the ambient temperature. This all make the F-22 vulnerable for detecting. Which kind of IRST use the F-22 Raptor?

The former BAE SYSTEMS Test Pilot Craig Penrice declared that Eurofighter could reach the altitude of 40,000 fts (12,200 m) in one minute after taking-off.

Adding the time for taking-off, then theoretically, Eurofighter should be able to reach the altitude of 40,000 fts in 70 seconds after braking-off.

Steigflug auf 13.000 m aus dem Stand: 70 Sekunden (Obst. Katz, JG73)

Climb to 13,000 m from the stand: 70 seconds (Obst. Katz, JG73)

The M-88-3 has a greater bybass ratio, that is only possible with a smaller core engine (it wouldn’t be a very good idea) or change the fan diameter. Therfore increase the fan diameter and use the same core engine (a quick and dirty solution).