When several European countries jointly developed a fourth generation fighter that resulted in the Eurofighter Typhoon, France took its own path. However, the Rafale has quite a similar configuration: it has two engines, a delta wings with canards and a big single vertical stabiliser. The canards are placed behind the cockpit and have no dihedral. Below are the two oval shaped air intakes, diagonally attached to the side of the fuselage. The fuselage is curved inward here. This is one of the main recognition points of the Dassault Rafale.  

The different main versions of the Rafale can be recognised by:

• the size of the canopy (and number of seats)
• the shape of the dorsal fin and vertical stabiliser
• the shape of the nose gear
• the presence of a tail hook

Like many other fighters of its time the Rafale had a development version to test new technologies. This is dubbed Rafale A. In general it looks much like the eventual Rafale C, with some exceptions. On the outside most obvious is the vertical stabiliser, which has a dorsal fin with intake at the root. Also it has no rectangular pod at the top and the canopy of the Rafale A is not gold coated. Less visible are the different exhaust and overall size: the Rafale A is somewhat larger than the Rafale C.  

The Rafale A, now in the Musée de l'Air, clearly has no gold-coated canopy and a clean top of vertical stabiliser, but does have an air intake at the root of the dorsal fin. (photo: Duch.seb/WikiMedia)

The Rafale B (B for bi-place) is the two seat trainer version of the Rafale, but also acting as strike and reconnaissance aircraft when the pilot is supported by a weapons/camera operator instead of an instructor pilot. It has of course a longer canopy than the other models.

The Egyptian air force two seaters are called Rafale DM, while those of the Hellenic, Indian and Qatari air force are known as Rafale DG, Rafale DH and Rafale DQ respectively.

The main land-based single pilot version of the Rafale is designated Rafale C, with C standing for 'chasse'. It is basically the same as the Rafale A, but with a gold-coated canopy, a curved dorsal fin without intake at the root and a large rectangular pod at the top of the vertical stabiliser.

This version was also exported to Egypt, Greece, India and Qatar, designated Rafale EM, Rafale EG, Rafale EH and Rafale EQ respectively.

As replacement for the F-8 Crusader the French ordered a naval version of the Rafale. Named Rafale M (for 'marine') this version has a stronger structure and landing gear to cope with the 'controlled crashes' on aircraft carriers. The nose gear is longer than that of the Rafale C, has a diagonal beam at the back (as part of the strengthening) and a provision to attach the catapult. And of course it has a tail hook for cable arrested landings.