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The Atlantique 2 is an iconic maritime patrol aircraft of the French Navy. Its development began in the 1960s, at a time when surveillance of vast maritime areas became a strategic priority, particularly for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War.
History
The Atlantique 1 is a maritime patrol aircraft designed in the 1960s to meet the growing surveillance and anti-submarine warfare needs of the French Navy. At that time, the submarine threat had become significant, particularly during the Cold War, when it was crucial to protect France’s maritime approaches and strategic interests.
Developed jointly by Breguet Aviation (which later became part of Dassault Aviation) and Nord Aviation, the Atlantique 1 was designed as a robust aircraft capable of operating over long distances and remaining airborne for several hours over the ocean. Its primary role was the detection and tracking of submarines using a range of electronic equipment, radars, sonobuoys, and sonar systems.
The Atlantique 1’s maiden flight took place in 1961, and it quickly entered service with the French Navy. With its distinctive silhouette, the Atlantique 1 represented a major step forward for France in the field of maritime patrol, enabling better control of exclusive economic zones and an increased capacity for ocean surveillance.
Designed by the French company Dassault Aviation in collaboration with the Société Nationale d’Étude et de Construction de Moteurs d’Aviation (SNECMA), the Atlantique 2 is the modernized and improved version of the Atlantique 1, an aircraft already renowned for its maritime reconnaissance capabilities. The primary objective of the Atlantique 2 was to provide a more modern platform capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing enemy submarines, while also performing surveillance, reconnaissance, and counter-piracy and illegal maritime trafficking missions.
The Atlantique 2’s first flight took place in 1989. It was equipped with cutting-edge equipment for the time: high-performance radar, sophisticated acoustic systems, sonar buoys, and electronic equipment for intelligence and electronic warfare. Its longevity and reliability made it an indispensable tool, capable of operating for long periods over the Atlantic Ocean and other theaters of operation. Over the years, the Atlantique 2 has undergone several modernizations to adapt to technological developments and new threats. It has played a key role in various international operations, participating in the surveillance of exclusive economic zones, the fight against illegal fishing, and sea rescue missions.
Characteristics
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Length : 31.70m
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Width : 35.50m
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Height : 11.10m
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Wheight :
- Empy : 25.5 t
- Max : 46.2 t
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Crew : up to 14
The aircraft is powered by two Rolls Royce Tyne Mk2 turboprop engines, giving it a top speed of 350 knots and an altitude of 30,000 feet. This allows it to stay airborne for up to 14 hours and travel 4,300 nautical miles.
Equipments
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Iguane or SEARCHMASTER Radar
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ARAR 13 RWR
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Decoy launcher
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FLIR Wescan MX20
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MAD Magnetic anomaly detector
Weapons
Compared to the Atlantique 1, the Atlantique 2 loses its external underwing loads (but keeps the same internal loads). However, the presence of a FLIR allows it to carry completely new systems.
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2 x AM39 Exocet (anti ship missile)
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4 x Mu90 torpedo (300kg torpedo going at over 50 knots and capable of reaching 1000m depth)
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4 x 250kg bomb (laser guided or depth charge)
Sources
- Atlantique 2 (ATL 2) | Ministère des Armées
- https://www.dassault-aviation.com/fr/passion/avions/dassault-militaires/atlantique-2/
- https://www.dassault-aviation.com/fr/defense/soutien-militaire/avions-soutenus/atlantique-2/
- Caractéristiques
- Caractéristiques du Dassault-Aviation Atlantique [in french]
- SEARCHMASTER | Thales Group
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