Dassault’s Rafale was primarily designed for the air-to-ground mission and as a result has a significantly better payload/range capability than the Typhoon. This EC 5/330 Rafale is loaded with four 500lb GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, which were recently integrated for use in Afghanistan, plus two Mica missiles.
Dassault's Rafale has entered service with the French Air Force and Navy and both air arms are currently conducting missions over Afghanistan with the type.
A wide-field head-up display and hands on throttle and stick functionality in the Rafale are some of the similar features found in the Typhoon cockpit.
COMPARATIVE PLAN VIEWS OF RAFALE AND TYPHOON. Both aircraft are of a similar size and shape with the main difference being the positioning of the canards.
A Typhoon of the German Air Force's JG-73 makes an impressive sight on take-off. The aircraft is carrying an IRIS-T air-to-air missile under the starboard wing.
Although optimised for beyond visual range air combat, Typhoon is also to have a variety air-to-ground weapons in its armoury. For example, this aircraft is carrying an impressive load of six 1,000lb GBU-16 laser-guided bombs, as well as two AIM-9 Sidewinders for self-defence.
After many years of development, the Eurofighter Typhoon is now serving with the four partner nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Eurofighter consulted with a number of pilots from the four partner nations with experience on a variety of fighters before designing the cockpit, which is dominated by multi-function displays.
Unlike Typhoon, the Rafale has also been adapted for operations from aircraft carriers. This French Navy Rafale M of Flottille 12F is carrying Mica air-to-air missiles and is pictured landing aboard the Charles de Gaulle.
