Spotters Magazine - Yearbook 2016

Rafale Marine
The Rafale M (Marine) is the single-seat version of the Rafale.
This version is operated aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de
Gaulle and represents the most modern fighter into service in
the French navy. With its greatly reinforced landing gear, the
hunter is able to withstand a vertical speed of 6.5m/s. It is
also equipped with a tow bar and a larger tailhook between
the engines and a built-in boarding ladder.
“These modifications increase its weight by about 600 kg
compared to the C version used by the French Air Force.” But
they allow it to be fully operated from the decks of US carriers,
using catapults and their arresting gear, as demonstrated on
USS Theodore Roosevelt (2008) and on USS Harry S. Truman
(2010), where the Rafale M became the first jet fighter of a
foreign navy to have its engine replaced on board an American
aircraft carrier.
“As we do not have appropriate structures to practise arrested
landing, our pilots spend part of their training in the United
States.” Thus, they have qualified to fly the aircraft from US
Navy flight decks.
Tex added that “we have very good exchanges with US. They
are present in most conflicts, this allows us to integrate
ourselves more better during operations”.
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