Beyond Stealth: How the Rafale F5 is Redefining the 4.5-Generation Fighter

At the heart of the Rafale’s survival strategy is the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite. Rather than relying solely on the physical shape of the aircraft to avoid detection—a concept known as "passive stealth"—the Rafale employs "active stealth." SPECTRA is an integrated system that provides 360-degree coverage across electromagnetic, laser, and infrared spectrums. It can detect, identify, and localize threats with extreme precision. More impressively, it can engage in highly sophisticated jamming and deception, creating "false targets" or "noise" that confuses enemy radar systems, effectively shortening their detection range and allowing the Rafale to penetrate contested airspace.