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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new feature!
Today, I’m presenting a significant evolution of an iconic aircraft of the French Naval Aviation: the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard Standard 3.
Entering service in the late 1970s, the Super Étendard was designed to replace the Étendard IVM and provide the French Navy with a modern attack aircraft capable of operating from aircraft carriers. From its entry into service, it distinguished itself through its versatility: deep strike, reconnaissance, close air support, and above all, the ability to deploy the AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile, which would earn it international renown.
Like many aircraft of its generation, the Super Étendard evolved throughout its career through several standards, each incorporating new capabilities and modernized avionics. Standard 3 marks a significant step in this performance upgrade. This new standard focuses primarily on improving avionics and navigation, two essential elements for an aircraft operating from an aircraft carrier. The Super Étendard Standard 3 thus receives an update to its inertial navigation system, making it more precise and reliable, enabling better execution of attack missions in all weather conditions and challenging environments. The fire control system is also improved, making the aircraft compatible with laser-guided weapons used by the French Air Force, notably the Gbu-12 and AS-30L, thereby transforming it into a modern combat aircraft capable of operating in all types of conflicts.
In parallel, several modifications aim to enhance the aircraft’s reliability and safety: updated mission software, improved integration of electronic equipment, and adaptation of certain systems to prepare for future upgrades. This standard also marked a significant step towards subsequent standards, notably Standard 4 and then the Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM), which gave the aircraft a second life in the 1990s and 2000s. Super Étendards of Standard 3 served with squadrons 11F, 14F, and 17F, operating from the aircraft carriers Foch and Clemenceau, and subsequently participating in numerous overseas operations, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Standard 3 contributed to enhancing the aircraft’s precision, effectiveness, and operational flexibility, consolidating its central role within the French naval forces. The transition to Standard 3 thus constituted a major milestone in the history of the Super Étendard, marking a crucial modernization before the arrival of later versions that would extend the career of this legendary aircraft until 2016.
Characteristics
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Length : 14.31 m
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Wingspan : 9.6 m
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Height : 3.86 m
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Mass :
- Min : 6,250 kg
- Max : 12,400 kg
The aircraft is powered by a SNECMA Atar 8k50 with 49kN of thrust, allowing the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of 1180km/h and an altitude of 14850m. Its range is 2700km in ferry mode and 650km with maximum payload.
Equipment
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Radar :
The aircraft is equipped with Thales’ Anemone radar, a maritime surveillance radar that detects and tracks naval targets. This radar is used to designate and fire the Exocet missile. -
RWR :
The installed radar warning receiver (RWR) is the BF model from Thomson-CSF. This RWR provides an approximate indication of potential threats (two small antennas are located on the tail of the aircraft). -
Decoys :
The Super Etendard in its Standard 2 configuration is not yet equipped with the Alkan countermeasures pods at station 0. However, it can be equipped with the LCQ infrared decoy launcher (tail-mounted decoy launcher), which replaces the parachute and allows for the deployment of 15 flares. Regarding countermeasures pods, the Super Etendard can carry either the Phimat countermeasures pod (216 chaff dispensers) or the Alkan LCIII pod (104 selectable decoy rounds) on the wingtip of each wing.
Weapons
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Guns :
- 2 x DEFA 30-552A F2A 30mm
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Air to Air Missiles :
- 2 x Magic 1 or 2
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Unguided Bombs :
- 6 x Mk-81 bomb
- 6 x Mk-82 bomb
- 6 x SAMP Type 21 400kg bomb
- 6 x SAMP Type 21 200 400kg parachuted bomb
- 6 x SAMP Type 25 250kg bomb
- 6 x SAMP Type 25 200 250kg parachuted bomb
- 6 x BAP-100 anti runway bomb
- 6 x BAT-120 tactical bomb
- AN-52 nuclear bomb
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Rockets :
- 4 x LR150 lancher
- 4 x TBA-ECC launcher
- 4 x TBA multi dart launcher
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Guided bomb :
- 6 x GBU-12
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Guided missiles :
- 2 x AS-30L
- 2 x AM39 Exocet
- ASMP nuclear missile
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Fuel tanks :
- 3 x 600L
- 2 x 1100L
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Pod :
- CDLT designation pod
In the game, this aircraft would be very similar to the variant we already have in the French tech tree, featuring the same armament and flight characteristics. However, its defensive equipment would be the key difference, possessing only an older-generation RWR and no integrated countermeasures. This makes it an interesting addition to the French tech tree.
