Posted on 03/18/2016 10:31:56 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Photos via Marine Nationale
France’s only aircraft carrier, the nuclear powered Charles De Gaulle, returned to its home port in Toulon, France yesterday. Before its arrival, the Dassault Super Étendard, an aircraft that has spent nearly 40 years fighting France’s wars abroad, took its final catapult launch off an aircraft carrier.
By this July the humble jet will be fully retired from Marine Nationale service.
The sleek yet subsonic attack jet has stayed relevant long after anyone would have imagined it could. The aircraft has always had clear limitations— speed, payload and maneuverability being just a few—but it has received modest upgrades throughout its life to extend its usefulness. Case in point, the aircraft entered service as fairly simple light attack aircraft and Exocet anti-ship missile hauler and is retiring as a capable laser designation and precision strike platform.
Now that France’s Rafale-M fleet is mature and in plentiful enough numbers to take over as the sole naval strike-fighter in France’s inventory, the Super Étendards Mordernise’s (SEMs as they are called) time has finally passed.
During its career, French Super Étendards have served in 12 separate theatres of conflict, from Lebanon, to Bosnia, to Afghanistan. In the end they are going out absolutely on top, having performed a mission of vengeance to strike back at the group who was responsible for the terror attacks on Paris. That group being ISIS.
The Argentine Navy still has about a dozen partially serviceable Super Étendards and will continue as the sole operator of the type. These aircraft operate from land and are most famous for their Exocet Missile attacks on Royal Navy and allied ships during the Falklands War.
This is a great documentary on the jet’s role in the Falklands conflict:
Here are some photos of the SEM’s last catapult launch and of the Charles De Gaulle’s air wing heading home in style after the historic deployment.
Why are there X’s on the flaps?......................
Is that shooter using a sword?
Probably “do not stand on here”
These first flew in 1974 and then went into service with the F4rench in 1977 or 1978. Only 85 were ever built, and specifically for the French Navy and Argentina.
I believe Argentina got 14 of them and still has ten or so operational..
These aircraft have served the French very well, and they will be missed...but the Dassault Rafale M (which is the naval version of the Rafale) will be able to replace it them in the attack role more than adequately.
X must be French for “No Step”
Thought that, too. But if you don’t know what they mean, you might stand on them and fall off while it’s flying.........................
It’s a nice touch for this aircraft model’s last ever catapult launch ever. Very nice!
He’s practicing his ‘surrender’ ceremony..........................
Epee...
Very French.
The French version of “NO STEP”.
The X is silent, actually, in french for “no step.”
“an aircraft that has spent nearly 40 years fighting France’s wars abroad,”
**cough-choke-gag**
Uh, which wars would that be? LOL
I'm sure the pilot checks to make sure no one is standing on them before taking off. I'd hate to fall off of one of those at altitude. ;^)
Two good things about French Naval Air. You get paid a bonus for being night qualified, and their boat has booze on board.
I do believe so!
Cool! Just Way Cool!
No step
That’s a nice touch!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.