Lol, for the same reason the French went alone in the first place. In order to be independant and develop national technologies. Apparently they don't mind risking having an inferiour self-built plane, because they hope the R&D will outweight the possible drawbacks.

Originally posted by kilcoo316

Originally posted by NWguy83
Sure the Rafale and the Typhoon can supercruise, but they can't cruise while in supercruise like the Raptor. The Raptor can supercruise up to mach 1.5 but it's cruising supercruise speed is mach 1.2 .

WHAT?!?!?

What exactly does that mean?

If its under military (non afterburning) power, its effectively cruising no matter what way you cut it.

He probably means that it can supercruise (i.e. under military power) until Mach 1.5 (though 1.4 is more of an official number), but to allow much larger engine life, it stays at 1.2.

Originally posted by Figher Master FIN
Your threads are always as impressive...

I was just wondering about that stealth issue... how good is it really...??

I don't know about stealth. The vertical stabilizer and rudder will show up like a barn door on radar. Not much you can do to hide the signature produced by it.

I will admit it does look quite sexy though.

Why is no one buying it? Why has it been criticised by the French Minister of defence? Why is it likely that it's continued development will be curtailed? It's a pretty aircraft which at the moment has an edge (just) on the Typhoon in A2G. But even in that role it doesn't have it's own Laser Designator. A2A against a Typhoon it's dead meat. Claims that it's stealthy revolve around over hyped, dubious and unproven claims about SPECTRA and nods and winks about a special formula radar absorbing coating! Typhoon (when clean) can super-cruise but I can't find any evidence that Rafale can. In-fact it's current engines have been a source of concern. It's scheduled to get AESA in 2012 but even a question mark hangs over that. It's clear it's only going to keep pace with the competition if they secure sales to pay for further development and that's just not happening. The F 35 is the plane the French need but misplaced chauvinism means they won't get it.

Originally posted by Fransje
...it can supercruise (i.e. under military power) until Mach 1.5 (though 1.4 is more of an official number), but to allow much larger engine life, it stays at 1.2.

The Raptor can super cruise significantly past Mach 1.5 and the official top speed is Mach 1.72, however the max super cruise speed (weight, drag, conditions considering) is likely even above that. Usually it either cruises sub sonic for very long range and endurance or high super cruise when in an active combat situation or fast point to point travel is necessary.

Originally posted by Fransje

Lol, for the same reason the French went alone in the first place. In order to be independant and develop national technologies. Apparently they don't mind risking having an inferiour self-built plane, because they hope the R&D will outweight the possible drawbacks.

France went it alone because they wanted a carrier capable aircraft, and none of the other countries involved in the FEFA (Future European Fighter Aircraft) wanted that capability and so the program split into two - the Eurofighter and the Rafale.

This thread was copied from Key Forum Aviation.

Stealthspy has just added some bold front and highlighted India-centric material

Originally posted by RichardPrice

France went it alone because they wanted a carrier capable aircraft, and none of the other countries involved in the FEFA (Future European Fighter Aircraft) wanted that capability and so the program split into two - the Eurofighter and the Rafale.

Well, actually the French Navy didnt want the Rafale at all, they wanted off-the-shelf, second-hand, american F-18s, made available after aircraft-carrier retirement in the 80s..
But in order to make the Rafale unit price "affordable" they were forced to by it by the government. Decision the very same government came to regret during the first Golf war. It does appear they are happy with the plane now though.

Originally posted by Fransje
Well, actually the French Navy didnt want the Rafale at all, they wanted off-the-shelf, second-hand, american F-18s, made available after aircraft-carrier retirement in the 80s..
But in order to make the Rafale unit price "affordable" they were forced to by it by the government. Decision the very same government came to regret during the first Golf war. It does appear they are happy with the plane now though.

Have you a legitimate source for this assertion?

Regards