F-35 vs Rafale
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F-35 and Rafale |
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Let's have a look at some specifications of these jets first.
- F-35 was first introduced in 2015.
- 35 jets of all variants have been built so far with a per-unit cost of $ 85 m for F-35a. Operated by a crew of 1, the Aircraft's empty weight is 29,000 lb with a maximum take-off weight of 70,000 pounds.
- The jet is powered by a single Jet engine producing 43,000 pounds of thrust. The aircraft's top speed is 1,200 mph with a maximum range of 1,380 miles. The combat radius of the fighter jet is around 874 miles.
- The aircraft comes with 6 external Hardpoints and two internal bays. The jet is armed with a 25 mm rotary cannon with 180 rounds.
Dassault Rafale
- On the other hand, Rafale was first rolled out in 2001.
- Around 164 jets have been built so far.
- The per-unit cost of the aircraft is around $70M. Operated by a crew of 1, the aircraft comes in a weight of 21,720 lb with a maximum take-off weight of around 54,000 pounds.
- The aircraft is powered by 2 turbofan engines generating 33,720 pounds of thrust combined. The jet can reach a top speed of 1,188 mph with a maximum range of 2,299 miles.
- The combat radius of the aircraft is 1,151miles.
- The fighter jet is equipped with 14 Hardpoints in addition to a 30 mm autocannon with 125 rounds.
F-35 Specification
1. Power
The aircraft's service ceiling is more than 50,000 feet. However, the rate of climb of the jet is classified. On the other hand, Rafale is powered by 2 after-burning turbofan engines generating 33,720 pounds of thrust combined. With the help of these engines, the jet can gain the top speed of Mach 1.8. The aircraft has a combat radius of 1,151 miles.
2. Thrust-to-Weight ratio
The jet has a service ceiling of 50,000 feet with a rate of climb around 1000 ft/s. With smaller wings and inferior thrust-to-weight ratio, the early F-35 pilots found it nearly impossible to even engage with F-16. Since then Lockheed Martin worked with pilot straining and changed the configuration of the jet. This resulted in increased turn rate, tighter turning radius, and improved nose pointing ability at low speed.
3. Aerodynamic
F-35 has the ability to slow down during a turn and has excellent post-stall recovery. In contrast, Rafale has lead in this category. The aircraft has 9 Gs maneuverability with a high angle of attack. Canard wings are used to improve maneuverability. The aircraft is also aerodynamically clean with two wingtip missiles. Close-coupled delta canard wings offer a significantly higher maximum lift. The fighter jet has good post-stall maneuverability as well.
4. Stealth Capabilities
The stealth capabilities in the F-35 are unprecedented in military aviation. For perspective, F-35's radar cross-section is 0.005 to 0.3 m2, which is about the size of a golf ball. On the other hand, Rafale is not a full aspect related to aircraft. However, the jet was designed for reduced radar cross-section and infrared signature. The fighter jet has an RCS of 0.5 to 2 m2. The aircraft has reduced RCS due to its smaller tail fin, compact fuselage, engine air inlets, and extensive use of composite materials. 70% of the jet's surface area is made with composite materials.
5. Radar and Communications
The radar is designed to enable F-35 pilots to track at distance over 143 mi with a locking distance of 93 miles. The aircraft is equipped with a Distributed Aperture and Electro-optical targeting system. The jet's Helmet Mounted Display System provides pilots with unprecedented situational awareness. The information is projected on the helmet's visor which includes airspeed, heading, altitude, targeting information, and warnings.
The front sector electro-optical system is completely integrated within the aircraft and can operate both in visible and infrared wavelengths. This sensor enables the deployment of infrared missiles beyond visual range distances. it can also be used for detecting and identifying airborne, ground, and sea targets.
The external pylons can carry missiles, bombs, and external fuel tanks. There is a total of four weapons stations between the two internal bays. Two of these can carry air to surface missiles or bombs. The other two stations are for smaller weapons. The jet will be armed with solid-state lasers, which can burn enemy missiles and other aircraft out of the sky. The aircraft will also carry hypersonic missiles. On the other hand, Rafale can carry payloads of more than 9 tons on its 14 hardpoints. The range of weapons includes air to air, air to ground, air to sea, guided, and unguided bombs.
For a strategic mission, the jet can deliver a storm Shadow standoff nuclear missile. The aircraft can also carry Meteor beyond visual range air to air missiles. The jet can fire a precision-guided bomb, which has both GPS and inertial guidance. The aircraft has a twin-gun pod and Nexter 30mm cannon, which can fire 2,500 rounds a minute. The jet is equipped with laser designation pods for laser guidance of air to ground missiles.
However, with the advent of helmet-mounted display and high off-boresight missiles, the maneuverability advantage has greatly diminished.