Dassault Super Etendard Super Etendard Origin: Avions Marcel Dassault/Brequet Aviation, France. Type: Si carrier ghter Engine: 11,265Ib (5110kg) thrust SNECMA Atar &K-50 single-shaft turbojet Dimensions: Span 31{t 5gin (96m); length 46ft 113in (14-31m): height 12ft Bin (3:85m) Weights: Empty 13,889lb (6300kg); loaded 25,350Ib (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 (16,000m); range (clean) at altitude, over 1.243 miles (2000km) Armament: Two 30mm DEFA cannon; mission load up to 9,921lb (4500kg) carri five pylons. History: First fliaht (converted Etendard) 28 October 1974) first delivery late 1977 User: France Development: During the late 1960s it had been expected that the original e of Etendards would be replaced, in about 1971, by a specially de »ped version of the Jaguar, the M version with single main wt full carrier equipment and special for the naval strike role. A Jaguar M completed flight development and carrier compatability, but for various ns. mai concemed with politics and cost, this was rejected b Aéronavale and a search began for an alternative. After studying the A-4 Skyhawk and A-/ Corsair Aéronavale chose Dassault-Brequet's proposal far an improved Etendard. This has a substantially redesigned r operation at higher indicated airspeeds and higher weights: a cient engine, obtained by removing the afterburner 50 of the Mirage F1.C; completely new inertial navigation theThree-view of the Super Etendard (centreline pylon not shown). A with American help: new multi-mode nose radar oduced | by Thomson-CSF and Electronique Marcel Da: t, with sially good performance in surface vesse Dr attack: and much greater and more varied m an load. Flight was compl n 1974-77 with three converted Et testing the engine, the second the avionics and we and the third the 1ew wing with ts and double-slotted flaps like the gar In 1973 the Aéronavale announced it would buy 100, but this has now been cut back to 30, and service delivery delayed until late 1978 velopment the first Below: Unlike Britain, which has no conventional aircraft carriers, the French Navy has no plans to withdraw either Foch or Clémenceau 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. |