gryphus-scarface
Regular Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2019
- Messages
- 148
- Likes
- 123
And?Rafale A was a test bed for : numeric FBW, 30° seat, close coupled delta config, semi recessed with no moving part mach 2 air intakes, and M88. As M88 was late, it was replace by F404.
Fortunately semi recessed air intakes proved to help in RCS, was it was not the initial goal.
I'm not saying Rafale is the best in all aspect, but with it you have a very good product for all missions, at a known price (F35 sustain price is unknown for exemple).
The YF-22 was a prototype for the various technologies incorporated in the F-22. Similarly the YF-16 for the F-16. The LCA PV-1 for Tejas. There have been many planes that were designed to be demonstrators.
My point is that the Rafale is a good 4.5 gen aircraft. It isn't a 5 gen aircraft. It isn't a superweapon. It has some missions which it is more suited for.