Dassault Rafale vs F-35 Lightning II
French Dassault Rafale vs US F-35 Lightning II Comparison
Comments of readers (Feel free to “Leave a Reply” on bottom.)
1. Maybe F-35 is better but there is lot tehnicial problems with it and that is reason why it is not in use. F-35 is stealth plane and that is main and only adventage when compared to Rafale.
Both Planes use same AAM and AGM missiles and their radars are on same level, so only adventage is easier detection of target due stealth technology.
2. In close 1-on-1 fight F-35 dont have chance against Rafale. Rafale is more agile, has better thrust to weight ratio and has lot more chance to win.
F-35 can only win if attack Rafale before it detect threat…
3. F-35 RCS is lot lower than Rafale, so in 90% cases Rafale will not see F-35…
Rafale vs F-35 Flight Cost Per Hour
Overall and BVR ratings
| CATEGORY | DASSAULT RAFALE | F-35 LIGHTNING 2 |
| BVR Rating | 90% | 94% |
| Armament | 8.6/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Technology | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Avionics | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Maneuverability | 9.3/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Rate of Climb | max. 300 m/s – 60k ft/min | max. 230 m/s – 45k ft/min |
| Thrust/Weight | 1.13 | 1.07 |
| Service Ceiling | 17 km – 55k ft | 20 km – 65k ft |
| Speed | 2.00 Mach | 1.60 Mach |
| Fuel Economy | 0.70 km/l – 1.65 NM/gallon | 0.80 km/l – 1.68 NM/gallon |
| Unit Cost | 130.000.000 USD | 180.000.000 USD |
| Overall Rating | excellent | excellent |
BVR (Beyond Visual Range) Ratings
| CATEGORY | DASSAULT RAFALE | F-35 LIGHTNING 2 |
| BVR AAM missile | MBDA Meteor | MBDA Meteor |
| AAM origin | NATO | NATO |
| Year | in 2013 | in 2013 |
| Range (mile) | 62 | 62 |
| Range (km) | 100 | 100 |
| Speed (mph) | 2640 | 2640 |
| Speed (km/h) | 4248 | 4248 |
| Radar | Thales RBE2-AA | AN/APG-81 AESA |
| Radar overall rating | excellent | excellent |
| BVR Technology | 85% | 92% |
| BVR Def. Tech. | 85% | 95% |
| RCS – Radar Cross Section | 0.5-2.0 | 0.005-0.3 |
Dogfight (close to medium range) Ratings
| CATEGORY | DASSAULT RAFALE | F-35 LIGHTNING 2 |
| Cannon | GIAT 30M/719B | GAU-22/A |
| Caliber (mm) | 30 mm | 20 mm |
| Rate of Fire (rpm) | 2500 rpm | 4200 rpm |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1025 m/s | 1000 m/s |
| Size Point 10%-30% | 20% | 20% |
| Maneuverability | 9.3 | 8,5 |
| Thrust/Weight Ratio | 1,13 | 1,07 |
| AAM (first) | MBDA MICA | AIM-9X |
| Operational range | 0.2 – 50 km | 0.2 – 50 km |
| AAM (second) | R.550 MAGIC II | IRIS-T |
| Operational range | 0.3 – 15 km | 0.5 – 30 km |
| Dogfight Rating | 76% | 70% |
Size Comparison
| CATEGORY | DASSAULT RAFALE | F-35 LIGHTNING 2 |
| Length | 15.27 m – 50 ft 1 in | 15.6 m – 50.0 ft |
| Wingspan | 10.80 m – 35 ft 4 in | 10.7 m – 35 ft 0 in |
| Wing area | 45.7 m² – 492 ft² | 42.0 m² – 460 sq ft |
| Height | 5.30 m – 17 ft 3 in | 4.33 m – 14.2 ft |
| Weight | 10,100 kg – 22,6k lb | 13,200 kg – 30,2k lb |
| Power | 2 x 75 kN – 17k lbf | 1 x 190 kN – 43k lbf |
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