Dassault-Bréguet/Dornier Alphajet

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇩🇪 Germany 🇫🇷 France
First flight	26 October 1973
Year of introduction	1978
Number produced	480 units
Average unit price	$8 million

Description

The Alphajet is the result of a successful Franco-German collaboration between Dassault-Bréguet and Dornier. This lightweight and simple two-seater aircraft is used by the French as a training aircraft (version E), including by the Patrouille de France, while the Germans use it for attack and reconnaissance purposes (version A). In the early 1960s, France sought to replace its T-33s, dedicated to pilot training, and its Mystère IVs used for weapons training, with a single aircraft. In contrast, the Luftwaffe continued to train on American aircraft, preferring to use the Alphajet as a light attack aircraft instead of the Fiat G.91. The Germanic aircraft are distinguished from their French counterparts by their pointed nose and electronics. The program resulted in the TA501 prototype, jointly led by Avions Marcel Dassault-Bréguet (AMD) and Dornier, with the Belgian company SABCA joining later. It's worth noting that initially, France had first partnered with the United Kingdom, which ultimately led to the development of an attack aircraft, the SEPECAT Jaguar.

The Alphajet is a swept-wing aircraft with a 28° angle and slotted flaps on the trailing edge. The wings are positioned high to allow for carrying large armaments. The fuselage is entirely metallic. Two semi-circular air intakes are located under the lower section of the fuselage, one for each engine. The Germans initially considered using General Electric J85 engines before adopting the French solution, which involved two SNECMA/Turboméca Larzac 04-C6 engines. The Alphajet can be armed with a 27mm or 30mm cannon (DEFA-553) in an underbelly pod and can carry 2260 kg of offensive payload, primarily consisting of rocket launchers (Matra RL F4), unguided or fragmentation bombs, and Brandt BAT-120 parachute-retarded bombs. The armament and navigation system of the combat version is effective and precise, allowing for great flexibility in attack missions. The German Alphajets have electronics adapted to their ground attack missions, including a LR-416 navigation computer and radar warning receivers. The Belgian Alphajet 1B+ later received a heads-up display, HOTAS controls, and a GPS receiver.

Key versions:

TA501: Initial project
Alphajet A: Close air support version, initially intended for the Luftwaffe
Alphajet C: Export version of the Alphajet C (Ivory Coast, Qatar, Togo)
Alphajet E: Training version, intended for the French Air Force
Alphajet MS-1: Alphajet E sold to Egypt; 30 units, of which 26 were built under license
Alphajet MS-2/NGEA: Upgraded attack and training version, with 04-C20 engines (1440 kg unit thrust) and superior avionics; 36 units produced, including 26 in Egypt
T-45 Alphajet VTS/TS: Proposed version for the US Navy's pilot training, but failed against the BAe T-45 Goshawk
Alphajet Lancier (or Alphajet 3): All-weather attack version derived from the Alphajet NGEA, equipped with a Thomson-CSF Agave radar and anti-ship and air-to-air capabilities

In total, 506 Alphajets were built, with 176 delivered to the French Air Force (version E), and 175 to Germany (version A). Belgium received 33 Alphajet E for its Brustem-Saint Trond Training Center. Several African countries acquired the aircraft: Ivory Coast (7 Alphajet E), Morocco (24 Alphajet E, delivered between 1979 and 1981), Nigeria (24 Alphajet E), and Togo (6 Alphajet E). Cameroon preferred 6 Alphajet NGEAs. Egypt purchased a production license and built its own aircraft at the Hélouan factory. Qatar still operates its 6 Alphajet E delivered in 1981. The last aircraft rolled off the production line in 1988. Subsequently, Germany reduced its fleet and sold a number of its aircraft second-hand: Portugal received 50 Alphajet A, and Thailand received 25. Others ended up on the civilian market: the British public organization QinetiC, specialized in defense, operates 12 former German aircraft, and the Canadian company Top Aces Incorporated leases its 12 aircraft to the Canadian Air Force for training and electronic warfare missions.

Technical specifications

Version: Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet A
Crew	2 pilots
Operational range	2600 km (1616 mi)
Maximum speed	1000 km/h (621 mph)
Wing area	17.5 m² (188.4 sqft)
Wingspan	9.1 m (29.9 ft)
Height	4.2 m (13.7 ft)
Length	13.2 m (43.4 ft)
Service ceiling	14630 m (47999 ft)
Empty weight	3515 kg (7749 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	7500 kg (16535 lbs)
Climb rate	57.0 m/s (187.0 ft/s)
Powerplant	2 × turbojets SNECMA-Turbomeca Larzac 04-C5 delivering 1350 kgp
Ejection seat	UPC Stencel S-III-S3IA63