MSFS Dassault Rafale M

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 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.