Bluewings12       3/16/2009 4:30:17 PM

Honest question for you, BW--I'm not intending to flame.  Why hasn't the Rafale had any export success?  I'm quite surprised that Dassault, which usually has a lot of success on the export market, hasn't been able to secure any sales.  I would think Brazil, who desperately needs a replacement for their A-4KUs, and Argentina, whose Super Etendards aren't getting any younger, would be prime territory for the Rafale.

 

I'm also surprised the Rafale got no love from the Gulf Kingdoms or India, both of which needed or need Jaguar replacements.

 

Herald , who do you think JP Bergerac is ?

 

Cheers .

Sentinel :

BW

 

Re my suggestions to impove rafales exportability any opinion

 

 

Lynstyne :

""BW

So far , all I can see is people responding to me and not to JP Bergerac . It seems that you all think that BW is an easier target that a Rafale Pilot (and you 're right to think so) but I can hold my ground .

 

Maybe you should squeeze JP to get some more inside views , but I don't think it will work ...

 

Cheers .

Its you, I dismiss completely.

 

I do not see Bergerac as UTD or accurate on US systems. Credentials you assert are not credible  Let him speak for himself,

As for you, you still are a nothing, understand?

 

Herald

BW,
Do you honestly think that IF the Rafale was even close to the jet you make it out to be that even in spite of the mean ole US government that it would not be selling? The Rafale has been in every major competiton for the last 10 years or so that every US a/c, Typhoon, Gripen etc. has been in and not ONE nation has chose it. No one in their right mind can honestly chalk that up to price and the big bad USA playing rough. Bottom line is if it really was all you make it out to be someone would have purchased it. Even the F22 as pricey as it is if the export restriction were lifted would have nations chomping at the bit to get it. They would be doing so because the F22 is exactly as awesome as advertised and everyone knows it and the price be damned for many.

 

Not to mention even France who makes the Rafale only has about 36 in it's air force inventory!! Why is that if it is such a game changer and second only to the F22 as you say? At the build rate of about 1/2 a month I doubt you ever see even 100 of these a/c. Lucky to get to 50 or 60 if ya ask me BW.  I also don't get how you figure the French air force is second only to the USAF. You do realize you only have 36 of those wonder planes and the USN has more fighter a/c then the ENTIRE French air force which includes your transports, EW and helos? The USN would mop the floor with the vaunted French air force IMHO and it's not even an air force for Gods sake.

 

As for NATO. I am dieing to see how long it is before France starts trying to run the show. I realize France still thinks it's a major world player. Problem is, France is the only one that thinks that BW. France just does not, and never has impressed me or anyone I have ever known.

 

Take care,

Beazz

Btw , picture of the AESA RBE2 :

 

h*tp://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4678/demonstratorrbe2radar2t.jpg

h*tp://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4124/testingphaserafale2.jpg

 

Rafale 's pit :

h*tp://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9046/rafalecockpit.jpg

 

F-22 's pit :

h*tp://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/f-22-raptor-16.jpg

What 's that mess ??!

It seems to be the same old gen as the Typhoon :

h*tp://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/gripen/cockpit/cockpit.jpg

Cheers .