War Thunder: First look at the Rafale C F3
The War Thunder Storm Warning update introduced some iconic fighter jets, the Rafale C F3 being one of them. The Rafale's addition was a pleasant surprise as most people expected just the Eurofighter Typhoon to be the newest plane to be added during this update. It joins the French air tree as the top fighter aircraft. The Rafale C F3 is one of the only five 14.0 BR planes in the game currently and is expected to be one of the only planes that can rival the Eurofighter Typhoon.
This article will talk about what we know about the Rafale C F3 so far in this premier military vehicle combat MMO.
War Thunder: All we know about the Rafale C F3
The Rafale C F3 is the most modern aircraft in the French tech tree currently, sitting at Rank VIII, Battle Rating 14.0. However, in Ground Realistic Battles, the BR goes down to 12.7. You can find it just below the Mirage 2000-5F in the French air tree.
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The Rafale also excels in both the fields of armament and flight performance.
In Air Battles, it can carry the following weapons:
- MICA-EM ARH or Fox 3 missiles.
- Matra R550 Magic 2 IR missiles.
You can carry a total of six air-to-air missiles in this plane, either as six MICA-EMs or four MICA-EMs and two Magic 2s. The aircraft is also equipped with MAWS. Additionally, when it comes to Flares, you can only carry 32 large caliber ones, but when it comes to chaff, you can carry 112.
When it comes to its CAS loadout, it can carry:
- GBU-24 Paveway III
- GBU-22 Paveway III
- GBU-16 Paveway II
- GBU-12 Paveway II
- GBU-49 Paveway II
- AASM 250 (SBU 38)
- AASM 250 (SBU 54)
- AASM 250 (SBU 64)
- 250 kg Type 25
While you are all familiar with the Paveway series of guided bombs, the AASM series is a new addition to War Thunder. The SBU 38 is GNSS guided while the SBU 54 and 64 are Laser+IOG+GNSS guided. The Rafale is equipped with the DAMOCLES, the same targeting pod as the Mirage 2000-5F and the Mirage 2000D-RMV.
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The Rafale C F3 is extremely agile and maneuverable. It can reach a maximum speed of 1799 km/h at 12,000 meters. Additionally, the delta wing design along with canards gives the aircraft excellent maneuverability. The powerful engines with 14,000 kgf of thrust help the Rafale quickly regain its speed after sharp maneuvers.
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