classical answer from an average american people.
Rafale don't need to use its radar as it can rely on a frontal optronic system able to detect and, more important, identify a bird at more than 40 km. It also use Spectra to detect any signal more than hundreds kms away.
Precise location accuracy ? Rafale without any pod was able to detect surface threats than even a dedicated F16 CJ can't (MAXE exercise).
Rafale AESA not mature? You really are pulling our legs. Stop dreaming Bro, you are saying bull shit post after post.
An average American knows a lot more about aircraft than french noble. After all it was two average American bicycle shop owners who took the first flight.
Your idiocy aside, let's talk technology. The optronics work only for limited distance of 30 miles in best conditions - it works much less against even moderate IR stealth, while passive detection EW works for hundreds of miles. Spectra has only three detectors so obviously has limited capability compared to F-35.
You don't even know what precise location accuracy is so what's the point talking.
Rafale AESA is a first generation AESA with old fashioned slotted arrays, only 800 TRM GaA and beginner software. Yes, it is as old in tech as first AESA AN/APG-77v1 fielded on F-22 in 1999.
Northrop and Raytheon have 20 year lead on Thales in AESA.. Even SAAB has lead over Thales in this arena. Their PS-05 mod 4 AESA for Gripen E/NG with 1000 GaN TRM, much wider bandwidth and higher peak power is way more capable than RAFALE's RBE-AA radar.
Now F-35 with 1600+TRM, notch array, fourth generation back end architecture, is way ahead in every category- range, power, EW, LPI. It can even mount electronic attack on its own (like F-18 Growler!) which Rafale cannot imagine.
So again, focus on marketing to fool the third world nations or nations that can't get F-35. That's the best bet for Dassault. Hopefully after the war, F-35 may open up to India.
