LIMA 2011: Behind the scene... Dassault unveil a surprise for Malaysian VIP, RAFALE-X

RAFALE-X ready for take off

The RAFALE-X is an interceptor aircraft with stealth capabilities, to the point that it is invisible to radar. It is powered by two incredibly powerful 130-DOH-61-LA high-bypass turbo-ramjet engines that permit flight at hypersonic speeds, but their exhaust gives the RAFALE-X a prominent infrared signature.

In addition to these massive engines, six solid rocket boosters were augmented to give an additional 15,900 pounds of thrust. The RAFALE-X most famous feature is its a thought-control interface  through a semi-artificially intelligent computer called the Advanced Neural Transfer And Response System , which uses signals from the pilot's brain to target enemies and fire weapons; however, it only responds to commands thought in Kecek Kelate.

The RAFALE-X weapons consist of up to four air-to-air missiles (modified for thought guidance), two 23 mm cannons, and four Rear Defense Pods on the wings, which fire explosive charges at a pursuing aircraft or missile. Other capabilities of the Firefox include a 3,000-mile (4,800 km) range and a flight ceiling over 120,000 feet (37,000 m).

RAFALE-X taxiing

To give the pilot full situational awareness the aircraft also includes a camera system that allows the pilot to see images directly behind the aircraft on his console. Pilot uses this system during his flight to keep track of missiles and other aircraft pursuing him.

At LIMA 2011 air show in Malaysia, Dassault released a set of imagery from an apparent engagement between the Rafale and the Lockheed Martin F-22. One of the images have beenreleased before, and it came from the sort-of-friendly fighter jet show-down in November 2009 at Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates.