Dassault Rafale Multi-role fighter PhotosThe Dassault Rafale is a Multi-role fighter and relatively small plane carrying a heavy load. The Rafale has an empty operating weight of about 22,000 pounds and was initially designed with a maximum takeoff weight of 49,600 pounds. That figure has now increased to 54,000 pounds, and Dassault is preparing a jump of more than 60,000 pounds.
Without fuel or weapons, a Rafale weighs about 3,000 kilos more than a F-16C, but can take 10,000 pounds heavier. This allows the Rafale to carry up to 21,000 pounds of external stores, in addition to 9,000 pounds of internal fuel. With two fuel tanks as holding a total of 600 U.S. gallons fuel - designed and tested in flight by Dassault for its campaign to win the competition of Korea combat - the Rafale can perform an attack mission 1. 000 nm radius, carrying both heavy air-surface weapons and air-air missiles.
Despite these possibilities, the Rafale has failed to win a single export order to date, although they came very close to the campaigns of the UAE and Korea. Singapore is nearing a decision on a future combat aircraft high end. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), apparently picked up much of the available market in the world, at least for now, so that Singapore, which wants the aircraft before the JSF is ready, it a unique opportunity for European contenders such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and its French rival, the Rafale.
