The Super-Etendard was France’s first combat aircraft featuring a modern weapon system. Its maiden flight took place in Istres on October 28, 1974.
The Super-Étendard was France’s first combat aircraft featuring modern weapon outfits. For Dassault, after the Mirage Milan experience it is also a foothold in new serially-produced weapon systems. On January 19, 1973, the then Minister of State in charge of national defense Michel Debré chose the Super-Étendard as the French Navy’s multipurpose weapon aircraft that would ultimately replace the Étendard IV, Crusader and Alizé.
It awarded the contract for 100 Super-Étendard aircraft on September 4, 1973. That was the first fixed-price contract Dassault was awarded for an airplane.
Jacques Jesberger flew the Super-Étendard 01 (Étendard 68) for its maiden flight out of Istres, on October 28, 1974. That aircraft was used to develop the engine and aerodynamic tests.
The first serially-produced aircraft, powered by a Snecma Atar 8 K 50 engine, flew on 24 November 1977, out of Mérignac, with Jacques Jesberger at the helm. It was France’s first military operation plane fitted with an inertial navi/attack system.
The Landivisiau Squadron 11 F was the first to be equipped with Super-Étendard aircraft, in September 1978. Landivisiau Squadron 14 F followed in 1979, and the Hyères Squadron 17 F did so in 1980. In 1991, onboard fighter squadron 59 S traded its Étendard IV Ms for Super-Etendards
In July 1979, Argentina placed an order for 14 Super-Étendards. In April 1982, it occupied the Falkland islands, unleashing a fierce conflict with the United Kingdom. After that war, the embargo on Argentina was lifted and the nine thereunto-undelivered aircraft and spare parts needed to fly them were delivered. In 1983, 5 of these aircraft were leased to Iraq.
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