m²No you didn't. The cross sensor work among the Australians, British, Germans, Americans, Italians, Norwegians, and the Dutch (even the Turks) never stopped. Guess whose names you significantly don't see? Israel, Korea, and France,   Guess what all the named have in common? (Its the F-35, Some are in, some are OUT. Gee (treachery, selling restricted technologies to none NATO and untrusted adversary states) I wonder why?).

On paper Rafale was ranked same than F35 in Dutch competition.Still Dutch choose F35 (on price issues!)

Was it just on cost grounds? I know the rating was 697 points for the F-35 (which did not even exist at that time) and 695 points for the Rafale. But it was merely a paper exercise rather than a true evaluation of the RNLAF.

Now Rafale is maturing, is in service in the first 4th+ F3 version, has an AESA and range of weapons is extending.

The current Rafale F3s don't have an AESA. The sole demonstrator is currently fitted to B301 which is not in frontline service. 

 

Its roadmap is evolving toward a 5th generation fighter parity.

With the difference that the Rafale will never achieve the level of stealthyness  of the F-22 or F-35, at least not when it comes to RCS.

 

F18E or F15 (or Eurofighter) are less and less potent competitors.

All of these types will be further developed as well. I hardly see why they should become less competitive over time.

 

Potential buyer has something to see now and can have more confidence in the futur of the program and its roadmap funding and updates.They have also a better view of F35 and its availability and cost and it makes Rafaleconcept more interesting than in the past.

The problem is how will the situation look like in 10+ years. You have a roadmap for the next few years up to 2018, albeit not everything seems to be funded right now. We don't know if the french can/will afford the specified total number of 294 and while the prospects in some markets look promising at the moment, no deals have been signed up to date! What will be the cost for spares and upgrades in the long term? As the Rafale will form the back bone for the AdA and MN it will certainly be further developed for the next 2+ decades, the question is at what pace.

 

Any customer who have not possibility to get F35 with control on, and can buy outside USA, will look for Rafale now (or Pak Fa).

TEST

 

They can also opt for the Gripen NG, Eurofighter or Su-35 and possibly MiG-35. The Super Hornet remains an option as does the F-15 and the F-16 though not all of them might be in production any more in a few years which will narrow the selection down. 

It depends on the article when it comes to Wikipedia--I've noticed that the further removed from "modern" history or controversy, the more accurate it is.  The article on, say, Otto II is probably safe; not too many internet trolls looking for trouble with the Middle Ages.  Sarah Palin, not so much. 

 

The Rafale article addresses both the shortcomings and the advantages of the Rafale; it's probably accurate to a point.

 

The current Rafale F3s don't have an AESA. The sole demonstrator is currently fitted to B301 which is not in frontline service. 

AESA radar production is launched and available end of next year in 2010, and any order of a Rafale now can includes it.

In fact if you launch an order now , you need 3 years to get your Rafale.
 

Its roadmap is evolving toward a 5th generation fighter parity.

With the difference that the Rafale will never achieve the level of stealthyness  of the F-22 or F-35, at least not when it comes to RCS.

I have never said that.However rafale RCS can still diminish probably by a ten factor and ECM add equivalent of a further 10 to 100 time reduction equivalent:

F18E or F15 (or Eurofighter) are less and less potent competitors.

All of these types will be further developed as well. I hardly see why they should become less competitive over time.

Few improvment is possible to their basic airframe shortcoming regarding RCS optimisation or manoeuvrability unless Boeing invest a lot on its own funds and develop a potent active signature management.

However rafale RCS can still diminish probably by a ten factor and ECM add equivalent of a further 10 to 100 time reduction equivalent:

indeed reducing by 3 range of a radar with sophisticated ECM is equivalent to diminish by a 81 factor RCS by passive means.So it would surely put Rafale in the same class of F35.

Few improvment is possible to their basic airframe shortcoming regarding RCS optimisation or manoeuvrability unless Boeing invest a lot on its own funds and develop a potent active signature management.

I've read over three dozen Rafale threads on this board. There are two champions of the bird who repeat the same wrong  canards over and over. They don't know what they discuss. I will have one more post on this thread for the sake of MK who does know what he discusses, to ashow hbim where he and I see the same data and reach different conclusions, and then I will leave the subject alone I think. You cannot convince the biased that they are wrong on the merits, no matter how many times you knock down the wrong information they write or assert.

how can you leave little gems of wisdom like this

""However rafale RCS can still diminish probably by a ten factor and ECM add equivalent of a further 10 to 100 time reduction equivalent:

AESA radar production is launched and available end of next year in 2010, and any order of a Rafale now can includes it.

In fact if you launch an order now , you need 3 years to get your Rafale.

That's true albeit new Rafales has yet to be ordered and as part of LRIP only 4 RBE2AA will be produced for OpEval. 

I have never said that.However rafale RCS can still diminish probably by a ten factor and ECM add equivalent of a further 10 to 100 time reduction equivalent:

ECM is not effectivley reducing the detection range, but more the tracking range and if the jamming signals can be identified and filter it might even make you a target. 

 

As soon as you emit you potentially become a target, the F-35s VLO design can't be compared, let alone that the F-35 will receive a jamming system either.

 

gf0012-aust  you beat me too it, even as a novice, i had tears streaming down my cheeks from laughter, its pure gold

but tell me what are you doing up at this time of the morning in aus, like me, did you wet the bed too ?

""As is for the Rafale and I honestly can't see how the Rafale's RCS is actually better "managed" than that of the Super Hornet and at least from frontal aspect I wouldn't be to sure that the Rafale enjoys a significant edge over the Typhoon either, especially in AA configuration. ""