Etendard IVM

This page is about the French strike aircraft Etendard IVM. For the other version, see Super Etendard.

Etendard IVM

S.O.4050 Vautour IIA

Super Etendard

Etendard IVM

S.O.4050 Vautour IIA

Super Etendard

France

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.3	9.0	9.3

Class:

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Research:190 000

Purchase:520 000

Show in game

Description

Following a collaborative effort between Dassault Aviation and Breguet Aviation in the late 1950s to develop a new strike fighter meeting the requirements of the French Navy, the Etendard IVM entered service in 1962. The aircraft boasted a delta wing configuration and was equipped with a single SNECMA Atar 8 engine, affording it respectable speed and range. The Etendard IV played a notable role during the Cold War era as a carrier-based platform, carrying a variety of munitions, including air-to-surface missiles and anti-ship weapons. Despite its service longevity, the Etendard IVM gradually succumbed to obsolescence, with its final retirement from active duty occurring in the early 2000s, marking the end of an era for this stalwart of French naval aviation.

Introduced in Update 1.95 "Northern Wind", the Etendard shines as a true "jack of all trades yet master of none" at its battle rating. The aircraft has incredible guided CAS ordnance for its BR in ground mixed battles, and in air-to-air engagements, the aircraft can take lower end missiles and the powerful DEFA 552 cannons to utilize its incredible unloaded performance in dogfights. The many lessons learnt using the Etendard will be crucial for future French jets, and players who enjoy the Etendard should look forward to the Super Etendard following it in the tree, which as the name implies, is better in almost every way.

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 0 m1 100 km/h

Turn time32 s

Max altitude13 000 m

EngineSNECMA Atar 8C2

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight21 t

The Etendard has good acceleration up to 1050 km/h, after which the aircraft tends to have a very difficult time accelerating. Manoeuvrability is acceptable when above 800 km/h - not great, but not bad. However, dipping below 800 km/h causes the aircraft to lose much of its turning ability, which requires the pilot to pop out flaps to remain manoeuvrable. Energy retention is quite poor at all speeds, but once the aircraft is able to get back into a straight line, said energy will be regained quite quickly. The aircraft has a good rate of climb compared to its counterparts.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,084	1,076	13000	32.7	33.5	79.3	73.9	800
Upgraded	1,115	1,100		31.5	32.0	112.5	95.0

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	Empty mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
SNECMA Atar 8C2		1	3,385 kg		320 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		11m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	38m fuel
950 kg	Axial-flow turbojet		7,228 kg	7,848 kg	8,537 kg	9,088 kg	10,950 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	11m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	38m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	4,075 kgf	N/A	0.56	0.52	0.48	0.45	0.37
Optimal	5,688 kgf (750 - 900 km/h)	N/A	0.79	0.72	0.67	0.63	0.52

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear426 km/h

• Side walls have a 14 mm steel plate
• Front firewall has a 14 mm steel plate
• Bulletproof glass is only installed down the centre window of 40 mm

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 912 → 3 957

RB8 766 → 11 912

SB9 999 → 13 588

Total cost of modifications168 000

262 000

Talisman cost2 600

Crew training150 000

Experts520 000

Aces2 400

Research Aces950 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

110 / 330 / 600 %

220 / 220 / 220 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Compressor Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Airframe Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 290 New boosters Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 290 Wings repair Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 540 Engine Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 540 Cover Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 G-suit Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430		M64 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 aden_belt_pack Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 290 Mk83 Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 290 Matra SNEB Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 290 Nord AS.20 Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 540 aden_new_gun Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Nord AS.30 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 AIM-9B Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)	Lead indicator

Suspended armament

The Etendard IVM can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6
30 mm DEFA 552 cannons (120 rpg)			1*	1*
250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs	1	1			1	1
400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs		1			1
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs	1	1			1	1
1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs		1			1
SNEB type 23 rockets	18	18			18	18
AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles	1					1
AS-20 Nord missiles		1*			1*
AS-30 Nord missiles		1*			1*
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,610 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 620 kg
* Cannons cannot be equipped in conjunction with air-to-ground missiles

Default weapon presets

2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons (120 rpg = 240 total) 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets 2 x AS-20 Nord missiles 2 x AS-30 Nord missiles 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total) 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (2,000 lb total) 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + 4 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (1,000 kg total) 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + 2 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (800 kg total)

Usage in battles

Although it does not have an afterburner, the Etendard has a very competitive TWR and acceleration, thanks to its light weight and powerful engine. It also has a good climb rate, decent turn rate, and a fairly standard set of armaments. However, like many French jets at its rank, it tends to have poor energy retention, and any manoeuvring tends to drastically reduce acceleration. This means that a turnfighting playstyle is often difficult, and defensive flying is hard to do successfully- the player should avoid gaining a tail if at all possible.

As such, the aircraft's good climbing ability and acceleration make it better suited for a more passive boom and zoom playstyle, where it is unlikely that an enemy will be able to chase it down. Such a playstyle will require teamwork. The Etendard is by no means a solo carry, and diving in and out of furballs to support teammates is often necessary. In this playstyle, the player will be easily able to keep a speed above 800 km/h (below which the aircraft's manoeuvrability suffers greatly).

In case if the Etendard were to fall under 800 km/h, the only way to survive is either through regaining energy and run away, or pop out flaps. The Etendard is a jet that requires a pilot to use their flaps properly. This way, the Etendard can outturn its majority of opponents. Just be careful to not lose all of its energy. The key to using flaps for the Etendard is as follows:

• Above 850 km/h, don't use any flaps, as flaps decreases the Etendard's manoeuvrability at higher speeds
• 600-850 km/h, pop out combat flaps
• 300-550 km/h, utilise take-off flaps
• 300 km/h and below, lower landing flaps

The above flaps guide for the Etendard is a necessary component of the Etendard, as this is the only way to maintain ideal and competitive manoeuvrability over other jets. However, it is important that a pilot retain most of their aircraft energy, and thus, don't overextend the Etendard's manoeuvring capability.

The Etendard has two 30 mm cannons mounted on the bottom side of the aircraft. This can throw off many players' aim, and the only way to resolve this issue is through practice. Another good way to compensate this is by setting the gun convergence around 400-600 m with vertical targeting on. While this might help, practice remains necessary.

The aircraft's air-to-air missiles, while less able to lock and track enemies than missiles mounted by other aircraft above its rank, can be very effective against slow targets and non-manoeuvrable bombers such as the B-57, Tu-14T or the Israeli Vautour IIA and Vautour IIN.

Apart from that, the Etendard has access to CCIP for its rockets and bombs, a rarity for aircraft at this BR. Other aircraft that has access to CCIP or CCRP around this BR includes the A32A, both Buccaneer S.1 and S.2, and the Su-7B. Combining the flight performance of the Etendard and access to ballistic computers, this aircraft makes one of the most accurate and effective attacker of its BR, especially in Ground RB. This compensates for its limited suspended armaments compared to its more dedicated attacker peers.

The Etendard also has access to a DRAA 3D radar. A radar at this BR is a really rare feature, present only in a few select aircraft, such as the F-86K, Lim-5P and the unwieldy Vautour IIN (Israel). However, the Etendard's radar is the weakest of them all, having only a 25° x 25° detection cone, which is a far cry from the Lim-5's 120° x 30° detection cone. While the radar is weaker compared to its peers, the presence of the radar alone could be useful in some situations, especially if you are playing simulator.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good acceleration and climb rate
• Strong cannons and ground-attack capability
• Carrier take-off results in a higher starting speed than a land take-off
• Better energy retention than the Super Mystere B2
• Access to AS-30 Nord MCLOS-guided missiles
• Has a Ballistic Computer for rockets and bombs, making it a capable and accurate attacker
• Access to an IFF-enabled radar capable of detecting and tracking an enemy 15 km away

Cons:

• Often uptiered, forcing the plane to face difficult opponents
• Has fewer air-to-air missiles than some other jets at its rank
• Limited ammunition and small payload
• Poor low-speed manoeuvrability, can be compensated by the proper usage of flaps
• Bleeds energy in a turn extremely quickly
• The radar has a pretty bad frontal detection cone of just a mere 25° x 25°

History

The Dassault Etendard was developed from an aircraft initially intended for the French Air Force to participate in the competition for the best ground attack aircraft capable of operating from makeshift runways.

This design was not chosen by NATO, which preferred the Fiat G.91. The French Air Force also did not want it and preferred to wait until the end of the development of the Mirage III. However, the prototype built for the French Air Force caught the attention of the Navy, which requested a navalised prototype in 1956.

A new engine was then added to it: the Atar 8 (Atar 9 without afterburner); an in-flight refuelling probe; new high lift devices; a new fuselage with a larger wing area; foldable wing tips; a new reinforced structure to support catapult launches and landings; and finally, an enlarged nose cone to fit the new Aida radar for aerial and ground target acquisition. In addition, a SAAB AX 26 toss-bombing and ballistic computer was incorporated into the design. 5 pre-production airframes were ordered by the French Navy in May 1957. On May 21, 1958, at Melun Villaroche, Jean-Marie Saget took charge of the plane. The Etendard flew as fast as the Super Mystere B2 despite not having an afterburner.

Dassault would produce 90 copies in Mérignac (not counting the prototypes). From the Etendard IVM no.1 to no.69, deliveries were made from December 1961 to May 1965.

The Etendard IVM was gradually withdrawn from service from 1978, due to the introduction of the Super Etendard.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Etendard IVM from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Etendard IVM - With Flying Colours To A First Stupid Ace - Napalmratte

Fast Boi, But Not Fast Enough: Etendard IVM - Spit_flyer

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• G.91 (Family)
• Super Mystere B2

External links

• [Wikipedia] Dassault Étendard IV
• [Air Vectors] The Dassault Etendard & Super Etendard
• [Dassault Aviation] Etendard

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 2000D-RMV
Mirage 4000	Mirage 4000
Export
M.D 450	M.D.450B Ouragan
Mystere	Mystere IVA
Super Mystère	Sambad · Sa'ar***
Mirage	Shahak · ▄Mirage 5BA · ␗Mirage 2000-5Ei
	*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