Dassault MD-450 Ouragan
Summary
| Category | Combat aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇫🇷 France |
| First flight | 28 February 1949 |
| Year of introduction | 1952 |
| Number produced | 567 units |
| Average unit price | $1 million |
Description
The MD-450 Ouragan is a French fighter aircraft developed in the 1940s. Designed by Marcel Dassault, it became France's first serially produced jet fighter. The Ouragan played a crucial role in the modernization of the French Air Force after World War II.
The Ouragan was a low-wing monoplane powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine. Its structure featured a circular fuselage with a pitot-type frontal air intake responsible for feeding air to the engine. The tail fin was securely attached to this fuselage, while the horizontal stabilizers were located on the tail fin itself. The wing configuration had a slight sweep and was positioned at a low height to allow for landing gear retraction.
This meticulous design offered optimized aerodynamic performance and high-altitude flight capability. The pressurized cabin allowed pilots to operate comfortably at high altitudes, while the fuel tank layout ensured a good weight distribution in the aircraft.
Its armament consisted of 4 Hispano 404 20mm cannons, as well as 900kg of external ordnance, such as 16 Matra T-10 105mm rockets, enabling it to perform ground attack and air combat missions.
During its first flight in 1949, the Ouragan demonstrated impressive performance, reaching a maximum speed of nearly 1,000 km/h. It was also capable of operating at high altitudes, providing a tactical advantage. Its maneuverability and ability to withstand challenging weather conditions made it a versatile aircraft.
The Ouragan saw extensive service with the French Air Force in the 1950s, with 350 units produced between 1951 and 1954, including 185 funded by the United States. It was quickly replaced by the Mystère IV starting in 1955 but continued to serve in the Patrouille de France from 1955 to 1956.
The aircraft also achieved commercial success in export markets. It was used in conflicts such as the Suez Crisis and the Algerian War. Several foreign countries, including Israel and India, also operated the Ouragan in their air forces.
Technical specifications
| Version: MD-450B | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot |
| Operational range | 450 km (280 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 940 km/h (584 mph) |
| Wing area | 23.8 m² (256.2 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 13.2 m (43.2 ft) |
| Height | 4.1 m (13.6 ft) |
| Length | 10.7 m (35.2 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 13000 m (42651 ft) |
| Empty weight | 4142 kg (9132 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 7900 kg (17416 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 38.0 m/s (124.7 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 1 × turbojet à compresseur centrifuge Rolls-Royce Nene 104B delivering 2263 kgp |
| Ejection seat | Martin-Baker Mk 4 |
Current operating countries
No country is operating the MD-450 Ouragan in 2024.
All operators
France • India • Israel • El Salvador
Photo of MD-450 Ouragan
