France Launches Development of Its Own 6th-Generation Fighter and ‘Super Rafale’

[u/Interesting-Cat7307]

https://militarnyi.com/en/news/france-launches-development-of-its-own-6th-generation-fighter-and-super-rafale/

[u/let_me_atom]

Does France have access to sufficiently advanced stealth technology for a true 6th gen fighter?

Edit: The downvotes are funny. The French are so tetchy, it was a genuine question 😂.

[u/b0bbyBob → u/let_me_atom]

France is one of the few counties on the world that can develop state of the art stealth technology (see their submarines).

[u/Boonon26 → u/b0bbyBob]

The technology that goes into making stealthy submarines vs stealthy aircraft is vastly different and not at all transferrable.

[u/External_Rhubarb3707 → u/Boonon26]

Maybe you’re onto something, nobody would be looking for a jet plane under water

[u/FriskyAlternative → u/External_Rhubarb3707]

I'ld rather have flying submarines

[u/mistress_chauffarde → u/Boonon26]

Yes but remember that rafale is low observability with basicly the same coating used by F35 theyr difference is in the shape

[u/Tamor5 → u/mistress_chauffarde]

Well no not at all?

Rafale isn't low observability, it's hardpoints are mounted externally, which gives it a large RCS. It has a larger natural RCS than even an EF, which has half the RCS by comparison.

The Rafale relies on it's own SPECTRA EW system to jam enemy radar and protect itself from targetting as opposed to relying on stealth to hide it's approach.

The RAM paint used is also not anything remotely comparable to the F-35 which uses a classified stealth skin that has RAM directly integrated into that 'skin', that's why unlike the Rafale or EF, they have to be carefully managed with climate controlled maintenance as it's far more complex and sensitive than a RAM paint.

[u/Beyllionaire → u/Boonon26]

Can you people stop? Most warships nowadays are modelled after the La Fayette stealth frigate for a reason.