The Rafale ('Squall') was originally conceived in the early 1980s by Dassault as the ACX (Advanced Combat Experimental) to demonstrate technologies applicable to a French air force Jaguar replacement (ACT= Avions Combat Tactique) and a French navy Crusader and Super Etendard replacement (ACM= Avion de Combat Marine). The Rafale A technology demonstrator, powered by two General Electric F404 turbofans, was rolled out of the Saint-Cloud factory on 14 December 1985, and went supersonic on its first flight on 4 July 1986. In April 1987, the prototype demonstrated a series of approaches to the aircraft-carrier Clemenceau to establish the feasibility of carrier operations. In April 1989 the aircraft was laid-up for the substitution of a SNECMA M88-2 augmented turbofan in the port engine bay and flew in this configuration on 27 February 1990. The M88 is the selected engine for production versions of the Rafale.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1638 x 924)