Rafale, a multi-role fighter aircraft, can perform ariel superiority, air-defence and area denial missions. It can conduct air-to-ground precision strike from a distant range of 450km. Furthermore, it is capable of carrying reconnaissance, bombing, strategic deterrence (nuclear weapons) missions.
Weapons and systems on Rafale
Numbers designate points shown in 3D model
1. SCALP Air to Surface Missile
SCALP is air-to-surface deep strike missile that can be deployed against stationary targets such as a hardened bunker or strategic installations with blast/penetration warhead. The missile has 250+km range and can carry 450 kilograms warhead. The missile uses multi-stage warhead to cut through armour or concrete allowing the second stage main warhead to penetrate inside the target. The two-stage warhead allows the missile hard-target penetration. It gives airforce ability to hit and destroy targets from a long-range. Otherwise, forces need to use laser-guided bombs like Spice 2000 with a glide range of 60km, used in Balakot airstrike on a terrorist camp. SCALP is a fire-and-forget all-weather terrain hugging missile with the autonomous guidance system. The Missile has been used by French forces in Iraq and Libya. The missile can be operated from Mirage 2000 as well.
SCALP Missile
2. GIAT Cannon
GIAT 30 is a 30 mm calibre revolver cannon that can fire 2500 rounds per minute. The gun has a muzzle velocity of 1,025 m/s.
3. MICA Air to Air Missile
MICA is an air to air missile for beyond visual range (BVR) interception and short-range dog fights. The missile has a minimum range of 500meter and maximum range of 60km. The missile has a speed of Mach 4. MICA missile can be mounted on Rafale as well as Mirage 2000 aircraft. It is an all-weather fire and forgets weapons like SCALP. Combination of Tail control and thrust vector control system provides exceptional manoeuvrability for precision targeting. With the inertial guidance system and electro-optical sensors, the pilot can lock the target before as well as after the launch of the missile. MICA’s target finders can tackle counter-measures (like decoy flares) deployed by the enemy aircraft.
4. HAMMER Smart Munition
Rafale can carry 6 laser-guided bombs such as Spice guided weapons system or Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range (HAMMER). Government has opted for HAMMER precision-guided munition for faster deployment. The weapons will make Rafale fully operational readiness.
5. TALIOS Optronic pod
TALIOS is an optronic/laser pod. It is essential for the operation of HAMMER precision-guided weapons. It is also crucial for the reconnaissance mission. TALIOS are useful for day and night small targets reconnaissance and surveillance. It has AI-driven automatic target detection and recognition system. It can interpolate real-time data on a terrain map.
TALIOS Optronic pod
Meteor
Rafale also has Meteor missile in its arsenal. Meteor is a beyond visual range air-to-air interception missile for highly manoeuvrable targets. Meteor has Blast fragmented warhead system.
Rail Mounted METEOR Missile on Rafale Jet (Photograph: French Ministry of Defence)
Its active radar seeker can identify targets within the range of 100+km with a no-escape zone of 60km. As a result, it can tackle enemy ariel system at a long distance. Rafale radar can detect up to 40 targets all around the plane. With a weight of 190kg and solid-fueled ramjet engine, the missile can cruise at speed of over Mach 4. It can operate in an electronic warfare environment and avoid electronic countermeasures while maintaining two-way communication between missile and firing fighter jet. The missile has impact and proximity fuses along with blast/fragmentation warhead. As a result, missile detonates on impact or at the optimum point of intercept to ensure complete target destruction with fragmentation.
Computer guided canards ahead of wings on both side gives plane maneuverability. The AESA (active electronically scanned array) Radar in the nose gives advanced situational awareness. Optical camera above radar help pilot in detection of enemy planes
Front Sector Optronics with laser range-finder for acquiring image and distance of the target on ground or in the air.
SPECTRA
Spectra, a defensive aid system, can jam enemy radar and can give missiles approach warning. It acts as armour around the fighter jet. It can send decoy singles, jam and counter jam radar singles to avoid detection.
Specta Defensive Aid sensors on tail
Rafale Cockpit – Instead of one Centre stick, Rafale has two side sticks that give pilot better control over fingertips.
Rafale’s flight control system can follow terrain in auto flight irrespective of weather condition to fly undetected in hostile airspace.
Rafale can carry 4.7 tons of fuel internally. It can carry 6.7 tons of backup fuel in its 3 fuel pods beneath the plane. Rafale can also provide ariel refuelling with fuel pods to another Rafale in the air.
Indian Air Force aims to integrate under-development BrahMos NG missiles with Rafale jets. The fighter would be able to carry up to two missiles of 1.5ton each with a range of 290KM.
Rafale with its electronics, sensors and weapons has an edge in the battlefield. The fighter is battle-tested on multiple occasion. Its addition to the Air force will balance the air power in the region. Rafale’s interoperability is an added advantage for coalition missions involving multiple countries. This is all about one single fighter jet. However, jets fly in formation. It is not hard to imagine firepower of five Rafale jets with different weapons configuration.
As these are strategic systems, it is crucial to keep the identity of its fighter pilots secret. Artificial Intelligence-driven facial recognition software has come a long way and can identify individuals.
