Super Etendard Fighter

The Super Etendard is a carrier-based single-seat strike fighter first introduced into service in 1978. It is an updated version of the Etendard IVM. Based on experience gained during the Korean war (1950-53), French authorities drew up specifications for a light interceptor. This definition was rapidly assimilated into a program for a light tactical bomber that could also fulfil an air superiority mission. At the same time, NATO published its requirements for the LWTSF (Light Weight Tactical Strike Fighter). In response, the Dassault company presented its Mirage and Etendard aircraft.

Between 1961 and 1965, the French Navy took delivery of 69 Etendard IV M's and 21 Etendard IV P's. The Etendard IV M continued in service in the French Navy until July 1991. These aircraft logged a total of 180,000 flying hours and made 25,300 carrier landings. Even today, there are still several Etendard IV P's and IV PM's in service.

This plane, armed with Exocet missiles and flown by Argentinian pilots (14 aircraft), proved its combat effectiveness during the Malvinas war with Britain in 1982.

Country of Origin	France
Builder	DASSAULT-BREGUET
First flight	May 1958 Etendard IV October 1990 (Upgraded Super Etendard)
In-service in the French Navy	1964 Etendard IV June 1993 (Upgraded Super Etendard)
Similar Aircraft	Fantan A Mitsubishi F-1 Mirage F1 Yak-38 Forger
Crew	One
Role	strike fighter
Wingspan	31 ft, 6 in / 9.60 m
Length	47 ft / 14.31 m
Height	3.85 m
Range	750-1080 nautical miles
Speed	Mach 1,3 ( 11 000 m) Mach 0,97 ( low altitude)
Ceiling	45,000 feet / 13700 m
Weight	11.90 tonnes (6.25 à vide).
In-Flight Refueling	Yes
Internal Fuel	2612 kg
Payload	2100 kg w/full int fuel
Power plant / Thrust	SNECMA 8 K50 jet engine / 5 t
Armament	two 30-mm guns Air-to-ground middle range missile (ASMP) Exocet air-to-surface Aerospatiale missile Matra Magic 2 air-to-air missile AS30 air-to-surface laser-guided missile rockets free fall and parachute drag bombs laser-guided bombs
Systems	radar Anémone nacelle Atlis détecteur Sherloc brouilleur Barracuda Drax radar detector Barracuda and Phimat jamming pods leurres Alkan 5081 rear flare dispenser
Special equipment	6 Oméra 31 cameras (100, 150, 200 and 600 mm)
Drop Tanks	600 L drop tank with 479kg of fuel for 99nm of range 625 L drop tank with 499kg of fuel for 103nm of range 1100 L drop tank with 879kg of fuel for 182nm of range
Engine	1 SNECMA 8K50 5 tonnes thrust
Sensors	Agave radar, RWR, ballistic bombsight
Number of units produced	85 (all types of Super Etendard included)