@noble
It is famous for its attack role. Do anyone know anythings about it air to air combat capability? It is called a strike fighter, but it had slow speed? why no afterburner? what is its turning rate? would you rate it with F-8E?
The Super Etendard is stricly a marine STRIKE aircraft and was never realy intended to be used in the air superiority role by the French Navy.
Super Etendard is derivated from the Etendard IV designed in the early 50s to answer a French Air Force requierement for a light tactical support ground attack aircraft.
At the time it was meant for dual role, light A2A and A2G but it was turned down by AdA and only the Marine Nationale version was developed.
It was pited vs the FIAT G91 in a NATO contest and lost to it but the French Navy ordered its strike version in 1954.
It demonstrated low altitude and ground attack qualities from day one but was far less suited to A2A duty due to its incread weight compared to the AdA version, a less powerful ATAR 8C and lack of afterburner.
Super Etendard answered a 1973 requierement for a version equiped with modern systems and weapons and is now extremly capable and versatile although its small size limits its payload and range (it weights one ton less than a Harrier II).
I use to see them flying when sailing in the rmediterranee, together with the F8, my impression was that it was quiet maneuvrable but far less powerful than the Crusader and for this reason only it wouldn’t be as effiscient in the Air to air role.
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