The semi-ventral pitot air intakes is a compromise between Ventral and Side Mounting where the intakes and their ducts are placed on the lower corner of the fuselage. In order to prevent interaction in case of single engine failure Rafale uses two semi-circular air intakes on the windward side, separated by the body.
Intakes are separated from the fuselage so as to avoid capturing the fuselage boundary layer (layer of air where air slows from high velocity relative to aircraft at its edge to standstill at the surface itself) as boundary layer, if enters engine, impairs pressure recovery and increases distortion, thus lowering intake performance; space between intake and fuselage is called external boundary layer bleed. This space is repartitioned, and expansion waves from it energize canard root vortex. Engine cooling duct is also located in this layer. In case the Rafale is equipped with stronger engine, intakes can be enlarged.
The architecture of the air intakes along with the nose and main undercarriages gives the capability for a large store to be carried under the fuselage, which is essential to achieve certain Air-to-Ground missions