Dassault Étendard II
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| Dassault Étendard II | |
|---|---|
| Type | Prototype fighter aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Dassault |
| Maiden flight | 1956-07-23 |
| Primary user | French Air Force |
| Number built | 1 |
The Dassault Étendard II was a French prototype fighter aircraft initially developed as a follow-on project to the Dassault Mystère series. It was presented to the French Air Force for evaluation but was rejected in favour of the Dassault Mirage III.
Originally designated Mystère XXII, the aircraft was developed in response to a French Air Force requirement for a light, jet-powered fighter-bomber. At around the same time, a NATO requirement was circulated, also calling for a light strike-fighter, and Dassault developed a very similar aircraft in parallel for that competition (the Étendard VI).
The sole prototype of the Étendard II flew on July 23, 1956 but proved to be somewhat underpowered and showed nothing like the promise of the Mirage series and was quickly abandoned.
A further development of the Étendard concept, the Étendard IV was successfully developed for French Navy service.
[edit] Specifications (Dassault Étendard II)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 12.89 m (41 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 8.74 m (27 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3.80 m (12 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 24.2 m² (248 ft²)
- Empty weight: 4,210 kg (9,280 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,650 kg (12,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Turboméca Gabizo turbojets, 18.4 kN (4,140 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,054 km/h (569 knots, 655 mph)
- Range: 1,100 km (594 nm, 680 mi)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 m (48,000 ft)
- Wing loading: 233 kg/m² (50 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.33
Armament
- Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon
- Bombs: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of bombs and rockets
