Super Etendard

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This page is about the French strike aircraft Super Etendard. For the other version, see Etendard IVM.
Super Etendard
super_etendard_97.png
GarageImage Super Etendard.jpg
Super Etendard
Research:260 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:710 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

After the navalized version of the SEPECAT Jaguar was cancelled, France was left with a dire need for an aircraft to replace their aging fleet of Etendard IVMs for carrier operations. There were several import proposals at first, including A-4 and A-7 aircraft from the USA, but ultimately, it was decided instead to use an indigenous modernization of the Etendard, dubbed the Super Etendard. The primary upgrades were to the avionics, which would come from modern Dassault aircraft and were already proven on platforms like the late Mirage IIIs and the early Mirage 2000s. The Super Etendard's primary upgrades were a new engine, and new targeting systems allowing it to use new anti-ship and laser-guided ordnance.

The Super Etendard (SEM), introduced in Update "Sons of Attila", is a competitive aircraft with good air-to-air and air-to-ground capability for its battle rating. The dogfighting performance is no slouch, due to the powerful engine which allows the aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds without an afterburner at certain altitudes, and it is further complemented by the abundant countermeasures and R.550 Magic 1 air-to-air missiles which are also very good for this battle rating. In mixed battles, the Super Etendard really begins to shine: The aircraft not only carries up to four GBU-12 Paveway laser guided bombs and the ATLIS II targeting pod, allowing the Super Etendard to rain hell on tanks in ground battles, but it also gets an air-to-surface radar, allowing it to detect ground vehicles from far away in the right circumstances. The Super Etendard overall is a great stepping stone towards the later French fighter-bombers such as the Jaguar A and the Mirage 2000D.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Drogue parachute
Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway
Max speed
at 12 000 m1 380 km/h
Turn time32 s
Max altitude13 000 m
EngineSNECMA Atar 8K-50
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight21 t

The Super Étendard is quite a manoeuvrable plane. It features good manoeuvring energy retention even at high speeds, it does not compress easily, and due to its new engine compared to the original Étendard IVM, it has a much higher thrust-to-weight ratio, allowing it to climb extremely well, and making it able to reach supersonic speeds, even though it does not have an afterburner. Overall a fun plane to fly, although it may feel quite unstable during certain manoeuvres.

Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 12,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 1,358 1,344 13000 33.0 34.0 80.4 72.6 800
Upgraded 1,406 1,380 31.3 32.0 115.8 97.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
1,263 426 1,263 389 389 ~11 ~4
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 920 < 750 < 600 -

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
SNECMA Atar 8K-50 1 6,711 kg 329 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Gross
Weight
Weight (each) Type 10m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 33m fuel
1,150 kg Axial-flow turbojet 7,496 kg 8,271 kg 9,050 kg 9,329 kg 11,769 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition 100% WEP 10m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 33m fuel MGW
Stationary 4,950 kgf - 0.66 0.60 0.55 0.53 0.42
Optimal 5,841 kgf
(1,200 km/h)
- 0.78 0.71 0.65 0.63 0.49

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff
Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar
Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear426 km/h

The Super Étendard relies heavily on the pilots positioning and defensive flying capability to survive. Its high thrust to weight ratio, good manoeuvring energy retention and the fact that it doesn't compress easily makes it quite an easy plane to fly defensively, as it can take advantage of enemies weaknesses. However due to its flight model, it does not like to lose energy or rather speed, which means that making an enemy overshoot is quite harder to achieve than with a delta wing.

It also features a total of 180 countermeasures. It is easy to flare off incoming missiles due to its lack of an afterburner, and high amount of countermeasures.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 239 → 4 401 Sl icon.png
RB9 403 → 12 778 Sl icon.png
SB10 465 → 14 221 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications226 600 Rp icon.png
353 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 800 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 000 Sl icon.png
Experts710 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 080 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 310 / 600 % Sl icon.png
232 / 232 / 232 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
27 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
27 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
aden_belt_pack
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
Matra SNEB
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
ATLIS II
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Type 25C
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
27 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
aden_new_gun
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
LR 100-4
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods laser guided bomb.png
GBU-12
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
Matra R550 Magic 1
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Type 21B
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png
Mods agm missile.png
AS30L
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs) EEGS
Icon RedXCross.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon RedXCross.png

Offensive armament

Main article: DEFA 553 (30 mm)

The Super Etendard is armed with:

  • 2 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannons, belly-mounted (125 rpg = 250 total)

Suspended armament

The Super Etendard can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Hardpoints Super Etendard.png
250 kg SAMP Type 25 200 bombs 1 1 2 1 1
250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs 1 1 2 1 1
250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs 1 1 2 1 1
250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs 1 1 2 1 1
277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs 1, 2 1, 2
400 kg SAMP Type 21 200 bombs 1 1 2 1 1
400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs 1 1 2 1 1
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs 1 1 2 1 1
500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs 1 1 2 1 1
SNEB type 23 rockets 18 18 18 18
TBA ECC rockets 4 4 4 4
TBA Multi-Dart 100 AB rockets 4 4 4 4
AS-30L Nord missiles 1 1
Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles 1 1
Countermeasures 54* 54*
Large calibre countermeasures 16* 16*
ATLIS II targeting pod 1
* Standard and large calibre countermeasures are equipped concurrently on the same hardpoint
Default weapon presets
  • Without load
  • 32 x large calibre countermeasures + 108 x countermeasures
  • 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles
  • 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets
  • 16 x TBA ECC rockets
  • 16 x TBA Multi-Dart 100 AB rockets
  • 2 x AS-30L Nord missiles
  • 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
  • 6 x 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs (1,500 lb total)
  • 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
  • 6 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (3,000 lb total)
  • 6 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (1,500 kg total)
  • 6 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 200 bombs (1,500 kg total)
  • 6 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (2,400 kg total)
  • 6 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 200 bombs (2,400 kg total)
  • 1 x ATLIS II targeting pod + 4 x 277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs (1,108 kg total)

The Super Étendard features really good armament for engaging air targets as well as ground targets. It can take 180 countermeasures, 2 x R550 Magic 1 missiles, as well as 4 x guided bombs at the same time, making it extremely competitive in ground battles, as well as in air battles when used as a multirole aircraft.

Usage in battles

The Super Étendard feels like a true modern multirole fighter, but at a lower BR.

In ARB matches, it should be used with mixed or reinforced flares, and 2 x R550 Magic 1 missiles, along with 10 minutes of fuel (20 min if you are not aggressive, or if you play on a big map). This makes you the most efficient at keeping your own plane alive, while being able to get some quite easy kills. The Super Étendard is a reliable Boom and Zoom plane, but can hold its own quite well in Energy Fighting due to its high thrust-to-weight ratio.

In GRB matches, you should keep your distance, and listen well to your RWR. Once you find a target that is not moving fast or is stationary, you should get very high, drop a bomb while lasing your chosen target, and after dropping, you should keep the altitude.

You should always destroy all other air superiority fighters before engaging in close air support.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Lots of flares
  • Easy to flare missiles due to lack of afterburner
  • Forgivable airframe. It can be thrown into a lot of situations and still come out on top even against more manoeuvrable targets.
  • Access to the famous Magic 1 missiles.
  • Can use countermeasures, AAMs, and guided bombs at the same time.
  • Access to ATLIS II targeting pod.
  • Modern Avionics
    • Fully digital RWR with IFF, target name, and launch detection.
    • Gets access to a modern HUD that makes targeting in first person view a lot easier
  • Can reach supersonic speeds in a dive and at medium and above altitudes.

Cons:

  • Lack of afterburner, making it a transonic plane in most situations.
  • Slightly unstable airframe due to flight model, making it wobbly in certain manoeuvres.

History

The Super Étendard's history began in the late 1960s when France sought a replacement for its aging Étendard IV aircraft. Dassault Aviation designed the Super Étendard, introduced in the 1970s, as a carrier-based strike fighter. It featured a compact, agile airframe, advanced avionics, and a SNECMA Atar 8K-50 turbojet engine.

In 1982, during the Falklands War, the Super Étendard gained international recognition when it successfully hit the British destroyer HMS Sheffield with an Exocet missile, showcasing its maritime strike capabilities.

Exported to nations like Iraq and Argentina, it participated in various conflicts, serving roles from anti-ship strikes to ground attacks. The aircraft underwent upgrades over time but was eventually retired by France in 2016, making way for the Rafale M.

Media

Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Dassault Aviation
WW2
Fighters  M.B.152C1 · M.B.157
Bombers  M.B.162 · M.B.174A-3 · M.B.175T
Jet Aircraft 
M.D 450  M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.450B Ouragan
Mystère  M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA
Super Mystère  Super Mystere B2
Étendard  Etendard IVM
Super Étendard  Super Etendard
Alpha Jet  Alpha Jet E**
Mirage 
Mirage III  Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan
Mirage V  Mirage 5F
Mirage F1  Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT
Mirage 2000  Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000D-R1
Mirage 4000  Mirage 4000
Export 
M.D 450  M.D.450B Ouragan
Mystere  Mystere IVA
Super Mystère  Sambad · Sa'ar***
Mirage  Shahak · ▄Mirage 5BA
  *The company was named "Société des Avions Marcel Bloch" before being renamed in 1947
  **Jointly manufactured with Dornier Flugzeugwerke
  ***Israeli Super Mystère refitted with new avionics and an American engine
See also  SABCA

France jet aircraft
Fighters  M.D.450B Ouragan · M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA · Super Mystere B2
  ▄F-86K · ▄F-100D · ▄F-8E(FN)
  Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan · Mirage 5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 4000
  Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT
Strike aircraft  ▄F-84F · F-84F IAF · ▄F-84G-26-RE
  Etendard IVM · Super Etendard · Alpha Jet E
  Jaguar A · Jaguar E · Mirage 2000D-R1
Bombers  S.O.4050 Vautour IIA · Vautour IIA IDF/AF · S.O.4050 Vautour IIB · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN (late)
Belgium  ▄Meteor F Mk.8 · ▄Mirage 5BA · ▄F-104G · ▄F-16A · ▄F-16AM
Netherlands  ▄Sea Hawk Mk.50 · ◘Hunter F.6