Dassault Rafale M
Dassault Aviation · France · first flew 1991 · fighter
The Rafale M is the single-seat carrier-based version of the Dassault Rafale, flown by the French Navy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.27 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Reinforced undercarriage with a 'jump strut' nosewheel leg for catapult launches
- Arrestor hook and a built-in boarding ladder
- Fin-tip Telemir inertial-alignment unit; the wings do not fold, unlike most carrier fighters
It looks like other Rafales, with a canard delta layout and twin engines, but carries a tailhook and a strengthened nose gear with the jump strut. The fin-tip fitting is the Telemir system, and the wing does not fold.
Specifications
- The Dassault Rafale M has a length of 15.27 m (50 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.9 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1912 km/h (1188 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The first of two Rafale M prototypes, M01, made its maiden flight on 12 December 1991. The first production Rafale M flew on 7 July 1999, and the French Navy received its first two in December 2000.
Variants
Naval changes (reinforced structure, hook, jump-strut nosewheel, ladder, microwave landing system) add about 500 kg over the other variants, and the M has 13 hardpoints against 14. It keeps about 95 per cent commonality with the Air Force versions. India ordered 26 Rafale M for its Navy in April 2025. Specifications are the Rafale family figures, which apply to this version.
Where you'll see it
Declared operational with the French Navy in June 2004 and based on the carrier Charles de Gaulle. It has flown missions over Afghanistan and against Islamic State, and has operated from US Navy carriers.
Related aircraft
- Dassault Mirage 2000D
- Dassault Mirage 2000-5
- Dassault Falcon 2000
- Dassault Rafale
- Sukhoi Su-39
- Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat
- Hongdu JL-8
- Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22
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