Dassault Rafale - Variants

Variants

Rafale A

Technology demonstrator, first flying in 1986.

Rafale D

Dassault used this designation (D for "discret") in the early 1990s to emphasise the new semi-stealthy design features.

Rafale B

Two-seater version for the Armée de l'Air.

Rafale C

Single-seat version for the Armée de l'Air.

Rafale M

Carrier-borne version for the Aéronavale, which entered service in 2002. The Rafale M weighs about 500 kg (1,100 lb) more than the Rafale C. For carrier operations, the M model has a strengthened airframe, longer nose gear leg to provide a more nose-up attitude, larger tailhook between the engines, and a built-in boarding ladder.

Rafale N

Originally called the Rafale BM, was a planned two-seater version for the Aéronavale. Budget constraints and training costs have been cited as grounds for its cancellation.

Rafale R

Proposed reconnaissance-oriented variant, unbuilt.