United States F-35 vs French Rafale - Which would win?

United States F-35 vs French Rafale - Which would win?
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Today we will compare these two phenomenal fighter jets in this hypothetical matchup, and determine which fighter jet is better in a real battlefield.

1. Performance
Both aircraft have multiple variants for airforce and navy but we will compare F-35A with Rafale C. F-35 was first introduced in 2015. Around 570 jets of all variants have been built so far with per unit cost of $78M for F-35a. Operated by a crew of 1, the Aircraft can take-off with a maximum weight of 70,000Ib. The jet is powered by a Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine capable of producing 43,000 pounds of thrust. The engine can push the aircraft at a top speed of 1,227mph. With a maximum range of 1,700mi, the jet can combat within a radius of 870mi. The climb rate of F-35 is classified; the aircraft can reach a maximum altitude of 50,000ft and still operational.

On the other hand, Rafale was first rolled out in 2001. Around 201 jets have been built so far with per unit cost of $77M. Operated by a crew of 1, the aircraft can take-off with a maximum weight of 54,000Ib. The aircraft is powered by a pair of turbofan engines generating 34,000 pounds of thrust combined. With the help of these engines, the aircraft can travel with a top speed of 1,381mph. With ferry range of 2,300mi, the jet can combat within a radius of 1,150mi. With a climb rate of 1,000 ft/sec, the service ceiling of Rafale is 50,000ft.

2. Maneuverability
With smaller wings and inferior thrust to weight ratio, the early F-35 pilots found it nearly impossible to even engage with F-16. Lockheed Martin worked with pilots training and changed the configuration of the jet…

In contrast, Rafale has lead in this category. The aircraft has 9 Gs maneuverability with a high angle of attack. Canard wings are used to improve maneuverability further. The aircraft is aerodynamically clean with two wingtip missiles…

3. Stealth
The F-35 has been designed to have a lower radar cross-section with the help of aircraft shape and the use of stealthy radar absorbent materials. The stealth capabilities in the F-35 are unprecedented in military aviation. For perspective, F-35’s radar cross-section is 0.005 m2, which is about the size of a golf ball.

On the contrary, the Rafale is not a full-aspect stealth aircraft. However, the jet was designed for a reduced radar cross-section ranging from 0.5 to 2 m2…

4. Radar & Avionics
F-35 is equipped with AN/APG-81 radar capable of tracking at over 143mi can lock its target as far as 93mi. The aircraft is equipped with a Distributed Aperture and Electro-optical targeting system...

On the other side, Rafale is equipped with passive electronically scanned multi-mode radar. This is capable to achieve an increased level of situational awareness through earlier target detection. The radar projects real-time 3D maps for terrain-following and high-resolution ground maps for navigation and targeting. The radar can detect and engage a target at a range of 90mi.

5. Firepower
F-35 is armed with an internally mounted 25mm equalizer gun with 180 rounds in addition to an external pod with extra rounds. The aircraft has two internal weapon bays and 6 external hardpoints for carrying 8 tons of weapon payload. The two outer hardpoints can carry sidewinder and short-range air to air missiles…

On the other hand, the Rafale can carry weapon payloads of more than 9.5 tons on its 14 hardpoints. The range of weapons includes air to air, air to ground, air to sea, guided and unguided bombs. For a strategic mission, the jet can deliver Storm Shadow standoff nuclear missile. The aircraft can also carry Meteor beyond visual range air to air missiles…

Watch the video for detailed conclusion.
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1) “Jet Fueled Vixen" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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2) US Department of Defense
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3) Lockheed Martin
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4) Dassault Aviation
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