In November 2009, during a cooperative exercise in the United Arab Emirates, a scenario unfolded where a U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was “defeated” in a simulated combat by a Rafale jet.The Dassault Rafale (French pronunciation: [ʁafal], literally meaning "gust of wind",[3] or "burst of fire" in a more military sense)[4] is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. It is referred to as an "omnirole" 4.5th generation aircraft by Dassault.The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is an American twin-engine all-weather stealth fighter aircraft developed and produced for the United States Air Force (USAF). As a product of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program the aircraft was designed as an air superiority fighter, but also incorporates ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence capabilities. During a joint exercise in the United Arabs Emirates in November 2009, a U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was "shot down" by a Rafale in a mock dogfight.
The F-22 had actually scored well in its simulated sorties, downing six Rafales and drawing in five more. However, one French pilot pushed his aircraft to the absolute limit - reaching a reported 9Gs - and was able to lock on to a Raptor.
The American pilots had insisted their aircraft had been undefeated, but the French Ministry of Defense released video footage that showed otherwise. The Rafale was certainly in a position to launch an infrared-guided Mica missile at the Raptor. The U.S. Air Force likely wasn't trying to cover up anything, but the exact situation involving the exchange likely remained one of debate. As an actual missile wasn't launched, perhaps it was felt the F-22 still could have had an advantage.
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