The Dassault Étendard IV was an attack aircraft in service with the French Navy during the Cold War. It was the first French, carrier-based strike aircraft powered by a turbojet engine. Developed from the Dassault Mystère XXIV, it was originally intended as a close-support combat plane for the French Air Force. However, the Étendard IV was a versatile machine that would be developed to become the Navy's reliable carrier-based attack aircraft of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. With a total of 90 aircraft produced, it was retired from service in 1991 as it was replaced by the Super Étendard.
The prototype of the Dassault Étendard IV first flew on July 24, 1956, at Mérignac. It was flown by pilot Georges Brian. The flight tests showed that it was an excellent aircraft for attack missions, both in the anti-ship and land-attack roles. In January 1958, the prototype would break the world speed record, flying at 1,020 km per hour on 1,000 km distance. The aircraft would finally be introduced into service with the French Navy in June 1962 as the Étendard IVM ('M' for 'Marine', the French word for navy). Also the IVP variant, for photographic reconnaissance missions, would be developed. Thus, 69 Étendard IVM and 21 IVP aircraft operated from the French Foch and Clémenceau aircraft carriers during the Cold War, until the early 1990s. For attack missions, this naval combat plane was armed with AS-30 air-to-ground missiles, plus bombs and rockets.
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| The Etendard IVM in flight in 1975. |
Technical Descriptions
The Dassault Etendard IV was a single-seat, single-engine jet monoplane of all-metal construction. It was fitted with cantilever, swept mid-wing. The wing trailing edge was equipped with double-slotted flaps and electrically-powered ailerons. The tip of wing could be folded up for storage. The tail assembly consisted of a large vertical fin and swept horizontal plane which was mounted on the lower portion of fin. The Étendard IVM was powered by one SNECMA Atar-88, single-shaft, non-afterburner, turbojet engine, which could generate 9,700 pounds of thrust. The engine air intakes were located on the sides of fuselage. Landing gear was retractable.
Specifications
Type: carrier-borne attack aircraft
Length: 14.43 m (47 feet, 4 inches)
Wing Span: 9.60 m (31 feet, 6 inches)
Wing Area: 28.99 m (312 square feet)
Height: 4.32 m (14 feet, 2 inches)
Power Plant: one 9,700-lb, SNECMA Atar-88 turbojet engine
Maximum Speed: 1,096 km/h (681 mph)
Combat Radius: 300 km (186 miles), when flying at low levels; 805 km (500 miles) at high altitudes.
Service Ceiling: 15,500 m (50,850 feet)
Crew: one
Avionics: one AIDA radar
Armament: two 30-mm DEFA cannons; AS-30 and AS-20 air-to-ground missiles; 68-mm Matra rockets launched from two rocket pods; up to 1,360-kg (3,000-lb) of bombs; and Matra-Magic air-to-air missiles for self-defense.
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| The Etendard IV takes off the flight deck of the Clemenceau aircraft carrier |
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| The Etendard IVP reconnaissance version. You can see the high-resolution photographic camera on belly of aircraft. |
