Dassault Rafale Introduction

The Rafale is a highly agile French twin-engined delta-wing multi-role fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Dassault use 'Omni Role' as a marketing term in an effort to differentiate the aircraft from other 'multi-role' fighters which have primary and secondary roles. Dassault also use the term to indicate the ability to switch from one role to another during a single sortie - a 'Swing Role' capability first seen in the F/A-18 Hornet.

Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based naval operation with the French Navy. It has also been actively and aggressively marketed to a variety of export customers. Rafale is widely regarded as the outstanding achievement of France's leading aircraft manufacturer.