AZURPOLY has shared a substantial end-of-year development update on its officially licensed Dassault Aviation Rafale for Microsoft Flight Simulator, shifting the spotlight from exterior visuals to the heart of the aircraft: the cockpit.

After weeks focused on the airframe, the team now confirms that the entire Rafale cockpit has been fully modeled and textured, with a clear emphasis on realism, depth, and operational readability. Panels, displays, and controls are being refined to reflect the complexity and density expected from a modern multirole fighter. Close-up screenshots released alongside the update highlight the level of precision achieved so far.

Advanced Avionics Taking Shape

On the systems side, avionics development is progressing rapidly. The Rafale cockpit features:

• Two lateral multifunction displays (MFDs) dedicated to aircraft systems, navigation, sensors, and configuration
• A central tactical display providing the overall combat and situational picture
• A highly dynamic HUD, presenting dense flight and combat symbology
• Four auxiliary side screens completing the digital cockpit environment

Designed around the HOTAS philosophy, the real Rafale relies on a limited number of switches and buttons, primarily located on the stick, throttle, and touch displays. AZURPOLY confirms this interaction logic is being faithfully adapted to ensure an intuitive and fluid experience within MSFS.

Functional Terrain-Following Mode Confirmed

One of the most notable revelations is the confirmation that terrain-following mode is already functional. Thanks to a custom fly-by-wire flight control system, the Rafale can automatically follow terrain at low altitude.

The system continuously scans terrain several kilometers ahead along the flight path and adjusts flight controls to maintain a selected height above ground. In the showcased example, the aircraft is flying with:

• Autopilot engaged in terrain-following mode
• Commanded height set to 300 feet AGL
• Autothrottle enabled

On the HUD, the familiar “stairs” symbology visualizes the terrain profile ahead in real time. This feature enables highly immersive low-level flight, regardless of weather, time of day, or external visibility—an experience rarely seen at this depth in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Looking Ahead

AZURPOLY closes the update by thanking the community for its continued support and confirms that the Rafale is an officially licensed Dassault Aviation product, developed in cooperation with JFEXP.

Further updates are expected as avionics and systems continue to mature. For ongoing discussion and previews, users can join the official Discord community.

This Rafale is shaping up to be one of the most technically ambitious modern military aircraft ever brought to MSFS.

Existing products line of AZURPOLY available through SIMMARKET :

C160 TRANSALL MSFS24	SEPECAT JAGUAR MSFS24	OV-10 BRONCO MSFS24/20
FOUGA MAGISTER MSFS24/20	TB-30 EPSILON MSFS24/20	BEDE BD-5J MSFS24/20