Dassault-Breguet-Dornier Alpha Jet

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Dassault-Breguet-Dornier Alpha Jet
Description
RoleTrainer/Light attack
CrewOne or two
First Flight26 October 1973
Entered Service1978
Number built510
ManufacturerDassault Aviation

Dornier
Breguet

TA501
Dimensions
Length13.23 m43 ft 4.9 in
Wingspan9.11 m29 ft 11 in
Height4.19 m13 ft 9 in
Wing area17.5 m²188.37 ft²
Weights
Empty3,515 kg7,750 lb
Loaded5,000 kg11,023 lb
Maximum takeoff weight8,000 kg17,600 lb
Powerplant
Enginestwo SNECMA/Turbomeca Larzac 04
PowerkW (each)hp (each)
Thrust13.19 kN (each)2,965 lbf (each)
Performance
Maximum speed994 km/h621 mph
Operational range1,450 km900 miles
Service ceiling13,700 m50,000 ft
Rate of climb3,810 m/min12,500 ft/min
Armament
ArmamentMauser BK-27 27 millimeter cannon

DEFA 30 millimeter cannon
several hard point mounted bombs, rockets, etc.

Contents

History

In the mid-sixties France and Germany teamed up to specify a follow-up aircraft for the French T-33A and Mystere IV and the German G91R/G91T. The new aircraft had to meet specifications for both training and light attack. The specifications were concluded in 1968 and an agreement on development and production between the two countries was signed in 1969.
Proposals of three groups of manufacturers were received and in July 1970 the proposal by Dassault, Breguet and Dornier was declared the winning one. Their proposal for an aircraft designated TA501 had its full development approved thereafter in February 1972.
Each participating country was to set up a production line and produce ‘their own’ aircraft. The originals number of aircraft (200 for each country) would not be met in the end.

Prototypes

Four prototypes were built and things still went pretty fast in these days. The first prototype, built in France, first flew on 26 October 1973. It was piloted by Jean Marie Saget and took off from Istres.

Serial Prototype Built by First flight Remarks
01/F-ZJTS 01 Dassault 26 October 1973 .
D-9594 02 Dornier 9 January 1974 to France as 02/F-ZWRU
03/F-ZWRV 03 Dassault 6 May 1974 to Germany as 98+55 (flew as '40+01' for demonstration purposes 1974), currently in museum Koblenz
D-9595 04 Dornier 11 October 1974 to France as 04/F-ZWRX and written off on 23 June 1976

Production and export

The German production line was at Oberpfaffenhofen and the French (Dassault had by then bought out Breguet) at Istres (according to French Military Aviation - Midland Counties Publications 1979). The first French production aircraft first flew on 4 November 1978 (probably 4th November 1977 - according to French Military Aviation - Midland Counties Publications 1979). Germany eventually received 175 Alpha Jet As (the "A" standing for Appui Tactique or "Tactical Strike"). They were delivered to JBG41 at Husum, JBG43 at Oldenburg and JBG49 at Fürstenfeldbruck. During the eighties and early nineties the Luftwaffe still had a detachment at Beja (Portugal) and some Alpha Jets were assigned to the LUK based there. The 175th and final German aircraft (41+75) was delivered on 22 October 1982. The German Air Force decided to withdraw and sell all Alpha Jets in the early nineties. The Portuguese Air Force received 50 aircraft, 20 (plus 5 spare aircraft) went to Thailand and the United Kingdom's QinetiQ received 6 (plus 6 spare aircraft).

France acquired 176 Alpha Jet Es in the end (“E” for École or School). They took up residence at Cazaux (with ETO 00.008) and Tours (with EAC 00.314). The International Aerobatic Team Patrouille de France was also equipped with the type.

Belgium decided to acquire 33 Alpha Jet E's (designated Alpha Jet 1B) for the air force in October 1973. They were to replace the T-33As and CM170 Magisters. The first aircraft was delivered on 6 October 1978. This was also the only aircraft that was fully built in France. All other Belgian Alpha Jets were assembled at SABCA in Gosselies. A major modification program, starting in 2000, led to all remaining Alpha Jets being redesignated Alpha Jet 1B+.

Egypt acquired 30 Alpha Jet MS1 aircraft in the eighties. Four of these were built by Dassault Aviation, the remainder was assembled in Egypt. A follow on order for 15 Alpha Jet MS2s was placed later and of this order again 11 were assembled in Egypt.

Further export aircraft emerging from the French production line found their homes in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Qatar and Togo. The only export customer receiving its aircraft from the German production line was Nigeria.

Versions

Alpha Jet A the basic light attack version
Alpha Jet E the basic trainer version (also designated 1B, H for the different customers)
Alpha Jet MS1 the close support version
Alpha Jet MS2 an improved version of the MS1

Operators

Military

Civil

  • The Flying Bulls operate 3 ex German Air Force Alpha Jet As for promotion. They also have two (non flyable) for static display purposes.
  • At least 10 ex German Air Force Alpha Jet As are operated by private pilots across the United States.
  • Top Aces Consulting Inc. in Canada operates ex German Air Force Alpha Jet As on a training contract with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Images

Portuguese Air Force Alpha Jet A at its home base Beja

French Air Force Alpha Jet E at Orléans

Another French Air Force Alpha Jet E

Belgian Air Force Alpha Jet 1B in a special color scheme

Patrouille de France is a long time operator of the Alpha Jet

Former German Air Force Alpha Jet A now operating with a civil registration for Top Aces in Canada

A Royal Moroccan Air Force Alpha Jet H seen here on static display

Alpha Jet A of Asas de Portugal, Portuguese Air Force

Belgian Air Force Alpha Jet 1B in a nice head on shot

The first Luftwaffe production Alpha Jet. This aircraft also flew as 98+33

More information

External links

Sources

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