Dassault Super Etendard

Super Etendard

Origin: Avions Marcel Dassault/Breguet Aviation, France.

Type: Single-seat carrier strike fighter.

Engine: 11,2651b (5110kg) thrust SNECMA Atar 8K-50 single-shaft turbojet.

Dimensions: Span 31ft 5Jin (9-6m); length 46ft 11 Jin (14-31m); height 12ft 8in (3-85m).

Weights: Empty 1 3.889lb (6300kg): loaded 25,350lb (11,500kg). Performance: Maximum speed 745mph (1200km/h) at sea level, Mach 1 at altitude: initial climb 24,600ft (7500m)/min: service ceiling 52,495ft (16,Q00m): range (clean) at altitude, over 1,243 miles (2000km). Armament: Two 30mm DEFA cannon: mission load up to 9,9211b (4500kg) carried on five pylons.

History: First flight (converted Etendard) 28 October 1974: first delivery, late 1 977.

User: France (Aeronavale).

Development: During the late 1 960s it had been expected that the original force of Etendards would be replaced, in about 1971, by a specially de­veloped version of the Jaguar, the M version with single main wheels, full carrier equipment and specially fitted for the naval strike role. A Jaguar M completed flight development and carrier compatability. but for various reasons, mainly concerned with politics and cost, this was rejected by the Aeronavale and a search began for an alternative. After studying the A-4 Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair, the Aeronavale chose Dassaub Breguet’s proposal for an improved Etendard. This has a substantially redesigned structure, for operation at higher indicated airspeeds and higher weights: a nevv and more efficient engine, obtained by removing the afterburner from the Atar 9K-50 of the Mirage F1 ,C: completely new inertial navigation

Three-view of the Super Etendard (centreline pylon not shown).

system, produced mainly by SAGEM with American help; new multi-mode nose radar, produced jointly by Thomson-CSF and Electronique Marcel Dassault, with especially good performance in surface vessel detection and attack; and much greater and more varied mission load. Flight development was completed in 1974-77 with three converted Etendard IVs, the first testing the engine, the second the avionics and weapons, and the third the new wing with slats and double-slotted flaps like the Jaguar. In 1973 the Aeronavale announced it would buy 100, but this has now been cut back to 30, and service delivery delayed until late 1978.

Below; Unlike Britain, which has no conventional aircraft carriers, the French Navy has no plans to withdraw either Foch or Clemenceau from operational commission. Here a Dassault Super Etendard (No 7) is seen aboard the former vessel, though the first dozen aircraft to be delivered went to the land airfield of Landivisiau, where they replaced the obsolescent Etendard IVM. Super Etendards are also replacing Crusader F-8(FN) fighters.