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MSFS Dassault Rafale M

This Dassault Rafale M package for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator series presents a meticulously adapted naval fighter, originally developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) and reworked by alpha60 with permission from Thor’s Hammer. It integrates optimized canard-delta geometry, upgrad...

5 star rating 5/5 (1) 1.6K downloads Flight Simulator 2020 CompatibleFlight Simulator 2024 Compatible
  • Type:Complete with Base Model
  • File: Rafale-M-2020-2024.zip
  • Size:885.01 MB
  • Scan: Clean (3d) Verified clean
  • Access:Freeware
  • Content:Everyone
Description 1 comments
Adam McEnroe

Expert Overview

This refined Dassault Rafale M mod offers an authentic naval fighter experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 with carefully adapted canard-delta geometry, robust carrier operations, and upgraded cockpit features. After personally testing it, I can confirm the meticulously reworked animations, pilot model enhancements, and advanced flight model tweaks—such as catapult-ready suspension and optimized control surfaces—deliver both stability and exhilarating high-G maneuvers. Seamless multi-player functionality, acrobatic smoke effects, and updated HUD components come together to elevate the realism during formation flying and complex deck landings alike.

Developed through collaboration between Thor’s Hammer, alpha60, and other talented contributors, this freeware mod also includes a growing collection of vibrant liveries that have been refined for better performance and visual clarity. The cockpit architecture, courtesy of Johnnypropeller, shines with improved avionics brightness and intuitive layout tweaks for easier night or stormy-weather operations. In my decades of flight simulation experience, this Rafale M stands out for its attention to detail and commitment to carrier-based realism, making it a must-have addition to any virtual pilot’s hangar.

This mod was installed, tested and reviewed by Adam McEnroe for Fly Away Simulation. Adam is an FS mod expert. Read his bio here.

This Dassault Rafale M package for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator series presents a meticulously adapted naval fighter, originally developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) and reworked by alpha60 with permission from Thor’s Hammer. It integrates optimized canard-delta geometry, upgraded animations, and substantial performance refinements. This version is available as freeware and packaged entirely with a dedicated base model. Its functionality extends to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, ensuring enhanced compatibility and seamless carrier operations.

Detailed Naval Fighter Conversion

The Rafale M displayed in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 after installing the freeware mod.The Dassault Rafale M serves as the naval variant of the Rafale series, designed around aircraft carrier deployments in the French Navy. Its robust fuselage structure and reinforced undercarriage make it adept at handling catapult launches and arrested recoveries. The conversion featured here maintains that purpose by refining the cockpit layout—thanks to contributions from Johnnypropeller—and upgrading the external geometry to fit carrier-based procedures in modern simulators.

Important Additions and Graphic Improvements

  • Multi-Player Visibility: Both the canopy and boarding ladder animations are adjusted for better synchronization in shared flight sessions.
  • Acrobatic Smoke Effect: A specially tuned effect for formation flying has been introduced for multi-player flights.
  • Refined HUD Components: The head-up display (HUD) now uses an updated glass design, with optional brightness controls on the throttle area.
  • Pilot Model Enhancements: A redesigned pilot figure switches to an active position once you power on the aircraft’s battery.
  • Cockpit Illumination: The avionics brightness switch—a temporary solution for known MSFS 2024 issues—has been placed in the cockpit for better night or stormy-weather operations.
  • Advanced Flight Model Tweaks: Engine thrust parameters, control surface responsiveness, and center of gravity adjustments ensure stable yet realistic high-speed handling.

Incremental Version Updates

Across sequential releases, numerous revisions have improved the Rafale M’s fidelity. Highlights include a new HMD (Helmet-Mounted Display) feature, adjustments to external tank capacity graphics, catapult-ready front suspension refinements, contact point calibrations to prevent wheel-sink on the tarmac, and modifications for SU1 FS2024 support. The mod now also offers streamlined files, making performance more efficient without compromising any key visuals.

Installation and In-Sim Configuration

To install, simply extract the delivered archive, then move the “Rafale M” folder into your simulator’s “community” directory. If replacing a previous version, remove or rename the old folder beforehand. Once inside Microsoft Flight Simulator, check the “weight and balance” menu to adjust payload elements such as fuel tanks (up to 2,000-liter external tanks) or armaments. Note that external tanks appear automatically once you allocate fuel to their specific stations and vanish when they dip below certain thresholds.

Fuel System Notes

  • Automatic Fuel Distribution: Be mindful that the simulator can automatically channel fuel to different stations upon loading.
  • Partial Fuel Indication: Because of the tank modeling, your gauges may not display a full 100%—this depends on how many external tanks are fitted.
  • Residual Tank Fuel: A small reserve remains in the external tanks to prevent unintended disappearance due to minimal usage.

Pilot Guidance and Aircraft Controls

  • Recommended Assistance: Setting “auto rudder” in your assistance parameters can make takeoff and landing more predictable, especially for carrier operations.
  • Start-Up Procedure: Turn on the battery, activate avionics, open the engines valves, launch the APU-GAP, then engage the left and right engine switches.
  • Shutdown Steps: Switch off the engines valves to power down completely.
  • Autopilot Features: The “pilot auto” mode enables stable navigation and leveling for longer flights.
  • Carrier Takeoff and Traps: The revised front wheel suspension and cable force adjustments improve catapult launches and trap catches.

Livery Selection

A significant range of liveries has been incorporated by MartyF909, capturing diverse themes such as Brazilian schemes, NATO Tiger Meet tributes, and commemorative flamboyant designs. Some older skins were removed to streamline the file size, but newly added schemes like “Croatia” or “Romain Hugault” provide varied options. Liveries for special events such as the “Solo display 2023” and “DDay 80 years” (for earlier versions) remain part of this evolving collection.

Mod Authorship and Credits

This freeware project is the result of collaborative input. Special acknowledgment goes to Ninja for development and coordination, Thor’s Hammer for the original permission, Johnnypropeller for crafting the 3D cockpit geometry, and MartyF909 for the array of high-quality liveries. Released by alpha60 and sanctioned for distribution on Fly Away Simulation, this package adheres to a strict non-commercial policy—no trading or resale for profit is permitted.

Images & Screenshots

60 total
A modern gray fighter jet with visible green navigation lights banks above a layer of soft, sunlit clouds at high altitude.A military jet with a black and white camouflage pattern flies above a snow-covered landscape with visible roads, buildings, and forests.A military jet with a dark zigzag livery flies above a densely populated town bordered by forest and coastline under clear skies.A modern fighter jet flies above a winter landscape with scattered snow-covered fields, forests, and a distant airport visible below.A gray and black military jet with French roundels banks above a snow-covered cityscape under a partly cloudy sky.A modern military jet climbs above a snow-covered airport with multiple runways and taxiways visible under a partly cloudy sky.A twin-engine jet fighter with afterburners engaged climbs above a sprawling cityscape bordered by forest and coastline under a clear sky.A modern helicopter cockpit features multiple digital displays, dual control sticks, and a detailed view of fields and forests through the side window.A modern gray fighter jet banks sharply above a sprawling landscape of forests, fields, and scattered residential neighborhoods under a partly cloudy sky.A military jet with colorful tail art flies above a layer of scattered clouds, revealing a landscape of roads and towns below.A modern twin-engine fighter jet with a gray camouflage livery is parked on a large concrete airport apron at dusk.A modern military helicopter cockpit features multiple digital displays, dual control sticks, and a view of terrain and water through the side window.A modern military helicopter cockpit features dual control sticks, multiple digital displays, analog instruments, and various labeled switches surrounding the pilot’s seat.A modern grey fighter jet with a canard design flies above patchwork farmland and scattered clouds under a partly cloudy sky.A gray military jet with a checkerboard tail design flies above scattered clouds and a landscape of lakes, forests, and towns.A helicopter cockpit view shows a central control stick, seat harness, avionics display, and overhead terrain visible through the canopy.A modern twin-engine fighter jet with afterburners lit flies above a river and snowy landscape under a mostly cloudy sky.A modern twin-engine fighter jet is parked on an airport apron near terminal buildings, with ground vehicles and commercial airliners in the background.A military jet with external fuel tanks and a colorful tail fin flies above scattered clouds and a sprawling landscape below.A modern military cockpit features multiple digital displays, dual control sticks, and various switches and warning labels surrounding the pilot’s seat.A military jet with a camouflage paint scheme flies above coastal city buildings and water, passing through scattered low clouds.A yellow fighter jet with a tiger design on its tail and wings flies above scattered clouds and a coastal city at sunset.A close-up view shows an empty ejection seat with harness straps in a jet cockpit, overlooking green landscape and partly cloudy skies.A gray twin-engine fighter jet with special tail art and afterburners flies above a layer of scattered white clouds.A modern fighter jet cockpit features a central control stick, large digital touchscreen displays, and a view of clouds and water below.A French military jet with a black and gray livery flies above a landscape of forests and scattered buildings under a clear sky.A military jet with afterburner engaged and tiger artwork on the tail flies above a city under a partly cloudy sky.A modern gray fighter jet with its canopy closed and landing lights on is parked on an airport ramp at sunset.A military jet with colorful tail art and the number 23 sits on a concrete apron under an overcast sky.A modern fighter jet cockpit features multiple digital displays, dual control sticks, and various switches with a partially clouded view outside.A military jet with a pilot in the cockpit and "French Navy Tigers" markings is parked on an airport ramp near terminal buildings.A modern military jet flies above scattered clouds over a coastal city with water, land, and urban areas visible below.A yellow and gray fighter jet with tiger artwork flies above scattered clouds and a coastline during late afternoon sunlight.A modern glass cockpit at night shows illuminated avionics displays, a digital map, and a lit taxiway visible through the canopy.A cockpit view through a helicopter window shows an airport apron with terminal buildings, ground vehicles, and a distant control tower.A modern fighter jet cockpit at night displays illuminated digital avionics screens, a heads-up display, and various control panels with switches.A military jet with an open cockpit canopy sits on a dimly lit airport ramp surrounded by yellow and red ground lighting.A cockpit view at night shows illuminated avionics displays, a control stick, and taxiway lights with a jet parked outside.A gray military jet flies above a patchwork of fields, trailing a thick stream of red smoke from its left wingtip.A modern fighter jet with afterburners engaged flies above a thick layer of clouds, featuring nose art on its vertical stabilizer.A military jet with twin engines climbs steeply above a layer of scattered clouds under a bright blue sky.A military jet with visible external fuel tanks and a refueling probe flies above scattered clouds and a coastal city shoreline.A military jet with a decorative tail design flies above scattered clouds, with the coastline and landscape visible far below.A close-up view shows the upper fuselage and tail of a military jet with black markings beneath a partly cloudy sky.A modern gray fighter jet with twin tails and canards banks in a clear blue sky above a distant landscape.A grey delta-wing jet with colorful tail art performs a steep vertical climb above a thick layer of white clouds.A yellow and blue military jet with tiger artwork on the tail flies above scattered clouds at sunset with two pilots visible.A military jet with external fuel tanks banks above scattered clouds, with a coastline and water visible far below.A gray military jet with a pilot in the cockpit banks steeply above a thick layer of white clouds under a clear blue sky.A camouflaged military jet with green navigation lights flies above scattered clouds under a clear blue sky at sunset.A twin-engine jet fighter with afterburners engaged climbs steeply above scattered clouds under a clear blue sky.A military jet with a tiger-striped tail design flies above scattered clouds in a clear blue sky at sunrise.A delta-wing military jet with a weathered gray finish banks left above cloud cover, leaving a faint brownish trail behind.A nighttime airport ramp is viewed from a cockpit, showing illuminated taxiway lines, terminal buildings, and various ground service vehicles.A twin-engine military jet with swept wings banks above a cloud layer, revealing farmland and open sky below.A gray military jet with visible nose art and external fuel tanks flies above a cloud layer under a bright sun.A military jet with "MARINE" markings and green navigation lights banks above scattered clouds with farmland visible below.A gray fighter jet with colorful tail art climbs vertically with red smoke trailing behind, set against scattered clouds and a bright sun.A military jet with external fuel tanks and Indian roundels flies above a cloud layer against a clear blue sky.A modern jet fighter climbs steeply against a clear blue sky, leaving a curved white vapor trail from its wingtip.
All screenshots above have been created by Fly Away Simulation and are exclusive. For more details, see our image copyright information.

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Installation Instructions

Most of the freeware add-on aircraft and scenery packages in our file library come with easy installation instructions which you can read above in the file description. For further installation help, please see our Flight School for our full range of tutorials or view the README file contained within the download. If in doubt, you may also ask a question or view existing answers in our dedicated Q&A forum.

1 comments

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The content of the comments below are entirely the opinions of the individual posting the comment and do not always reflect the views of Fly Away Simulation. We moderate all comments manually before they are approved.

mean1mrgrinchSun, 30 Mar 2025 21:33:24 GMT

Hi, question to anyone: I've been on FSX Steam; I know how to put mods where they're supposed to go, but I'm new to MSFS 2020. It might be a dumb question, but which folder is considered the Community folder? Thanks.

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