step-by-step technical analysis based on typical radar equations, the data you provided (RCS, radar types), and open-source performance figures.

1. Assumptions and Data

• J-35 RCS: 0.01 m² (conservative: 0.1 m²)

• Rafale (clean): RCS 0.5 m²; Rafale (with 6 missiles): RCS up to 10 m²

• J-35 AESA radar: Likely KLJ-7A or more advanced (approx. 200+ km detection for 5 m² target)

• Rafale RBE2-AA AESA radar: ~200 km detection for 5 m² target

• J-10C: Not primary here, but its radar is roughly similar to Rafale in class (KLJ-7A, see above).

2. Radar Range Equation

Radar detection range (for a given probability of detection) scales as:
Detection Range ∝ (Radar Power × Antenna Gain × Target RCS)^(1/4)

So, if you know detection range for a reference RCS, you can scale for a new RCS:

New Range = Reference Range × (New RCS / Reference RCS)^(1/4)

3. J-35 Detecting Rafale

• Reference: Assume J-35's radar detects 5 m² target at 200 km.

• Rafale with missiles: RCS = 10 m²

$$ext{New Range} = 200 imes left(frac{10}{5} ight)^{1/4} = 200 imes (2)^{0.25} approx 200 imes 1.19 = 238 ext{ km}$$

So J-35 can detect Rafale (loaded) at ~238 km.

• Rafale clean (0.5 m²):

$$ext{New Range} = 200 imes left(frac{0.5}{5} ight)^{0.25} = 200 imes (0.1)^{0.25} approx 200 imes 0.56 = 112 ext{ km}$$

4. Rafale Detecting J-35

• Reference: Assume Rafale radar detects 5 m² target at 200 km.

• J-35 RCS = 0.01 m²

$$ext{New Range} = 200 imes left(frac{0.01}{5} ight)^{0.25} = 200 imes (0.002)^{0.25} approx 200 imes 0.21 = 42 ext{ km}$$

• If J-35 RCS is 0.1 m² (10x higher):

$$ext{New Range} = 200 imes left(frac{0.1}{5} ight)^{0.25} = 200 imes (0.02)^{0.25} approx 200 imes 0.38 = 76 ext{ km}$$

5. Summary Table

6. Interpretation

• J-35 will see and lock onto Rafale at much longer ranges—especially if Rafale is carrying missiles externally.

• Rafale is at an overwhelming disadvantage: it might never see the J-35 before being fired upon.

• Even if we use the larger RCS for J-35 (0.1 m²), Rafale still cannot detect it until much closer—by which point J-35 can fire a PL-15 (range >150 km).

• AESA radars are similar class, but RCS difference dominates.