The World - News from July 6, 1986
France’s experimental combat jet, the Rafale, has made a successful inaugural flight, the Avions Marcel Dassault aerospace firm announced. The prototype, a single-seat, multi-role fighter capable of carrying nearly seven tons of missiles, reached a speed of 1,400-m.p.h. on its hourlong flight from the Istres air base near Marseilles. The Rafale is fitted with two General Electric F404 jet engines but will eventually be powered by French-made M-88 engines.
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