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Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet

(Redirected fromAlpha Jet)
"Alpha Jet" redirects here. For other uses, seeAlpha Jet (disambiguation).

TheDassault/Dornier Alpha Jetis alight attackjetand advancedjet trainerco-manufactured byDassault Aviationof France andDornier Flugzeugwerkeof Germany. It was developed specifically to perform trainer and light attack missions, as well as to perform these duties more ideally than the first generation of jet trainers that preceded it. Following a competition, a design submitted by a team comprisingBreguet Aviation,Dassault Aviation, and Dornier Flugzeugwerke, initially designated as theTA501,was selected and subsequently produced as the Alpha Jet.

Alpha Jet
An Alpha Jet of the French Air Force
General information
TypeLight attackandadvanced trainer aircraft
National originFrance / West Germany
ManufacturerDassault Aviation/Dornier Flugzeugwerke
StatusIn service
Primary usersFrench Air and Space Force
Number built480
History
Manufactured1973–1991
Introduction date4 November 1977
First flight26 October 1973

Both theFrench Air and Space ForceandWest German Air Forceprocured the Alpha Jet in large numbers, the former principally as a trainer aircraft and the latter choosing to use it as a light attack platform. As a result of post-Cold Warmilitary cutbacks, Germany elected to retire its own fleet of Alpha Jets in the 1990s and has re-sold many of these aircraft to both military and civilian operators. The Alpha Jet has been adopted by a number of air forces across the world and has also seen active combat use by some of these operators.

Development

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Origins

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An early Alpha Jet presented in a company marketing photo.

In the early 1960s, European air forces began to consider their requirements for the coming decades. One such area of consideration was the requirement for a new generation of jet-powered trainer aircraft to replace such aircraft as the US-builtLockheed T-33 Shooting Starand French-builtFouga Magister.Britain and France established a collaborative program to pursue development of what was initially intended to become asupersonicjet aircraft. This aircraft was to be produced in two distinct variants for different roles: trainer andlight attack aircraft.The result of this collaboration, theSEPECAT Jaguar,proved to be an excellent aircraft, but its definition had changed in the interim, and the type emerged as a full-sized, nuclear-capablestrike fighter,whose two-seat variants were used for operational conversion to the type. As such, the Jaguar was not well suited for the general training mission.[1]

This left the original requirement unfulfilled. As a result of this outcome, in 1967, France entered into a series of discussions with West Germany on the topic of a prospective collaboration effort to meet this demand.[2]West Germany was keen to participate in such talks, having long held an interest in conducting joint training operations with France along with a desire for strengthening positive political relations between the two nations.[3]France also valued military cooperation with West Germany, wanting to break a perceived German ideological preference for American aircraft.[4]

In 1968, a joint specification was produced out of these talks. One substantial change to the requirements was that the sought trainer was now specified to be subsonic, supersonic trainer aircraft having proven to be superfluous to practical requirements. In July 1969, a joint development and production agreement was signed between West Germany and France. Under the terms of this agreement, the two nations committed to purchasing 200 aircraft, these being domestically assembled in each of their own countries.[5][6]

At one point, both the German government and the German Air Force had been keen to relocate pilot training activities from the United States to France as part of the project. In 1971, this was abandoned over fears of a hostile US reaction and West Germany's offset obligations to the United States making such a move unpalatable.[7]While the joint Franco-German training proposal was abandoned, the German government felt obligated to proceed with the aircraft program. At the time, Germany did not require a new trainer aircraft, but needed a replacement for its fleet ofFiat G.91attack aircraft.[8]

Germany proposed that the aircraft be built in two distinct versions, as an inexpensive trainer for the French requirement, and as aclose air supportplatform for the German requirement. This position was accepted by France. An initial point of contention whether to use a French or American powerplant for the aircraft was settled, with France agreeing to solely finance the development of the French-built Larzac engine while Germany agreed to adopt the same powerplant.[9][6]

Three groups of manufacturers produced proposals in response to the requirement. These were Dassault, Breguet and Dornier submitted the "TA501", which had been developed through a merger of the Breguet 126 and Dornier P.375 concepts. VFW-Fokker submitted their "VFT-291" aircraft, while SNIAS/MBB submitted the "E.650 Eurotrainer".[5]Each of these proposals were to be powered by twinSNECMA Turbomeca Larzacturbofanengines.[5]The German Air Force insisted that the trainer have two engines after having suffered from severe aircraft attrition rates due to the high accident rate of the single-engineLockheed F-104 Starfighter.

Into production

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A French Alpha Jet of thePatrouille de Franceflight display team

On 23 July 1970, the Breguet-Dassault-Dornier TA501 was declared the winner of the competition.[10]In February 1971, the project definition phase was completed and the integrated design team was set up atSaint-Cloud,Paris,France. That same month, a join Franco-German protocol was signed, launching the construction of four prototypes.[11]In February 1972, the approval to proceed with full development was issued.[5][9]In May 1972, the first project meeting was held inBordeaux,at which the order for the four prototypes was placed. In November 1972, the project passed its first mock-up review.[11]Dassault was designated as the 'pilot' company for the project and possessed final authority on design and management decisions. This approach to project management has been claimed to have been a mostly efficient manner of running the program.[12]

A Dassault Alpha Jet E demonstrator F-ZJRM in Emmen Switzerland, 1986

Two prototypes were to be built by Dassault in France, Dassault having bought out Breguet in the meantime, and a further two were to be built by Dornier in Germany. In October 1973, the first French prototype performed its first flight atIstres,Marseille.In January 1974, the first German prototype conducted itsmaiden flightfromOberpfaffenhofen,Bavaria.The remaining two prototypes were in the air before the end of 1974.[1]The first and second prototypes were used to explore the aircraft'sflight envelope,the third prototype was fitted with the French trainer equipment fit and the fourth with the German close air support equipment.[11]The prototypes were equipped with recording andtelemetryequipment packages, allowing for instrumentation readings and other useful data to be received on the ground in real time during test flights.[13]

Manufacture of Alpha Jet sub-assemblies was divided between France (Dassault), Germany (Dornier) and Belgium (SABCA), each country performing final assembly and checkout of the type in separate facilities. Dassault hosted the largest of these three assembly lines, typically producing 13 aircraft per month to meet the needs of French and export customers. It was reportedly capable of a maximum output of 15 Alpha Jets per month. The Dornier final assembly line typically maintained a maximum rate of six aircraft per month.[14]In contrast to the final assembly arrangements, none of the three sources duplicated the manufacture of any component: Dassault-Breguet produced the front and center fuselage, Dornier constructed the wing, tail and rear fuselage, while SABCA manufactured the nose andflapsof the aircraft.[14]A total of 4,500 people were employed in the manufacturing of the Alpha Jet in Germany, an equal number in France also worked on the programme.[15]

Both Belgium and Egypt, who were early export customers for the Alpha Jet, domestically performed the final assembly of their French-configuration Alpha Jet E aircraft. In September 1978, Dassault and theArab Organization for Industrialization(AOI) signed alicense manufacturingagreement for the Alpha Jet. Egyptian assembly work was carried out in a facility inHelwan,Egypt.[16]In July 1978, Dassault signed an agreement with American aircraft manufactureLockheedto market the Alpha Jet in the US market. The arrangement included provisions for Lockheed to manufacture the Alpha Jet under license. It was considered as a candidate for the US Navy's VTXTS advanced trainer program, eventually won by theMcDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk,a modified version of theHawker Siddeley Hawk.Proposed modifications included undercarriage changes for nose-tow catapults and a stronger arrestor hook, as well as various US-sourced avionics and other equipment.[16]

On 4 November 1977, the first production aircraft made its first flight.[14]In September 1978, deliveries of production Alpha Jets began.[9]The four prototypes remained in service as flying testbeds, being used for further development of the type such as to evaluate acompositegraphite-epoxy wing and improved versions of the Larzac engine.[1]Prototype 01 was specifically used early on to support the development of the Larzac engine.[15]The different avionics fit makes French and German Alpha Jets relatively easy to visually distinguish the two, with French planes featuring a rounded-off nose and German ones featuring a sharp, pointed nose.[1]

Further development

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In 1980, work began on an "Alternate Close Support" version of the Alpha Jet, featuring a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital databus. The initial flight was in April 1982. Cameroon obtained seven, some sources claim 6,[citation needed]and Egypt obtained 15. As with the original Egyptian order for MS1 machines, Dassault provided four such machines under the designation ofMS2,and AOI of Egypt assembled the other eleven fromknockdown kits.[17]

TheAlpha Jet 2,originally theAlpha Jet NGEA(Nouvelle Generation Appui/Ecoleor "New Generation Attack/Training" ) was a proposed development of the Alpha Jet. It featured the basic avionics of the MS2 plus compatibility with the advanced FrenchMatra Magic2 AAMs and the more powerful Larzac 04-C20 turbofans refitted to Luftwaffe Alpha Jet A aircraft. Some of the aircraft's new avionics were derived from theDassault Mirage 2000fighter.[18][19][20]In 1982, it was claimed that the Alpha Jet NGEA was the "only existing aircraft in its category featuring a completely integrated digital navigation and attack system".[21]While no new-build aircraft were produced of this variant, existing Egyptian Alpha Jets were reportedly upgraded to a similar standard.[17]A single prototype was flown, presumably a modification of one of the original Alpha Jet prototypes. In September 1982, this aircraft made its first public appearance at theFarnborough Airshow.[21]

A pair of Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet A from the extinctAsas de Portugalflight demonstration team in formation

Another proposed variant was theAlpha Jet 3 Advanced Training System,at one point given the title of "Lancier". This proposal was intended to perform all-weather ground attack operations, as well as to performanti-shippingand anti-helicoptermissions.[17][20]Featured many of the same systems as theAlpha Jet 2,it was to be equipped with twin cockpit multifunction displays (MFDs) and potential carriage of AGAVE or Anemone radar, aforward-looking infrared(FLIR) imager, a laser targeting system and a modern countermeasures suite.[17]A prototype was flown, again presumably an upgrade of an original Alpha Jet prototype.

In June 1985, Dornier announced that it was studying its own third generation Alpha Jet upgrade program, independent of Dassault. This proposed upgrade involved substantial avionics upgrades andman-machine interfacealterations, such as the addition of multiplehead-up displays(HUDs) to allow instructors to view what students are viewing, with the aim of being more suited for the sophisticated requirements of modern and impending fighter aircraft. Dornier judged the Alpha Jet's airframe to have been suitable without modification for future market needs.[22]

In September 1988, Dassault revealed that it had proposed a navalised variant of the Alpha Jet, as a carrier-based trainer to theFrench Naval Aviationto replace theirFouga CM.175 ZéphyrandDassault Étendard IVfleets.[17]DesignatedAlpha Jet Maritime 3,it was promoted as having been fully navalised and fitted with the avionics intended for theAlpha Jet 3 Advanced Training Systemto give it compatibility with the upcoming next generation of carrier fighter aircraft. Carrier adaptions included the addition of anarrestor hookand a strengthenedlanding gearand undercarriage.[17]

Design

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A partly disassembled Alpha Jet during maintenance

The Alpha Jet is a light twin-engine aircraft equipped with an intentionally simple airframe despite the performance delivered. Both theleading edgesand air intakes are fixed; while theaerodynamicshape of the aircraft, which was developed with the aid ofcomputer aided design(CAD), conforms with thearea rule.[13]Fully powered controls are used, comprising a dual-hydraulicsystems and load-factor limited dynamic feel system arrangement attached to conventionalflight control surfaces.[13]The cockpit ispressurisedfor greater comfort during training. The Alpha Jet is designed to accommodate ten-minute turn around times with minimal ground equipment, using features such as pressurised single-point refueling, ladder-less entry/exit of the cockpit, and a ten-hour endurance of theliquid oxygensystem.[13]

The Alpha Jet was designed to perform a diverse range of roles. The principal users of the type, Germany and France, operated their Alpha Jets in different capacities, the German as aground attackplatform and the French as atrainer aircraft.[15]Beyond performing different roles, the Alpha Jet fleets of France and Germany noticeably differed in their specification and equipment. German aircraft were fitted with a more extensive weapon-aiming system, a different fuel system, ayaw damper,differentbrakes,nosewheel steering, anarrester hook,and Stencelejector seatsin place ofMartin-Baker.[15]The majority of the specialised equipment used on the ground attack-orientated variant of the Alpha Jet was provided by German firms.[23]In addition to the ground attack role, the Luftwaffe employed the Alpha Jet in theelectronic countermeasures(ECM) andaerial reconnaissanceroles; for the latter purpose, a reconnaissance pod could be fitted upon the porthardpoint.[15][11]

The Alpha Jet is powered by a pair ofSNECMA Turbomeca Larzacturbofanengines. It is a low bypass-ratio, twin-spool engine that uses modular construction methods.[24]The Larzac was a new engine at the time, having only performed its first run a year prior to being selected to power the Alpha Jet. The need for greater thrust to power the aircraft than the original model of the engine could generate led to the development and adoption of the 2,970 lbLarzac 04in February 1972. This version of the engine initially powered the Alpha Jet.[24]

West Germany was interested in powering the type with theGeneral Electric J85,but France objected to the use of an American engine which would result in US export restrictions upon the overall aircraft and agreed to assume the cost of developing the French-built Larzac.[9]During the 1980s, an upgraded model of the Larzac engine which increased the thrust by 10 per cent was developed.[25]

The avionics of the original version of the Alpha Jet were of an austere nature, partly to make it a simple and easily exportable aircraft.[12]The basic type lacked features such as anautopilot,inertial navigation,or aradar.[12]Later upgrade programs typically focused on the addition of aglass cockpitand other avionics systems. The Luftwaffe's Alpha Jets were equipped with additional avionics for the attack role, such as aDoppler radarand additionalhardpoints.[15]During the 1970s, Dornier claimed that the Alpha Jet outperformed aircraft used as theMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II,LTV A-7 Corsair II,andFairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIin theclose air supportrole. The firms stated that the Alpha Jet was smaller, faster, less vulnerable, more maneuverable, cheaper and had higher all-round performance than the A-10.[15]

The Alpha Jet was more complex than competing second generation trainer aircraft, requiring sevenman hoursof maintenance for every flight hour.[14]Nearly 5,000lb of munitions and equipment can be carried on five hardpoints, four on the wings and one at the centerline on the lower fuselage.[14]In an armed configuration, agun podcontaining a 30 mmDEFA cannon,as installed on French aircraft, or 27 mmMauser BK-27cannon,as installed on German aircraft, would typically be installed upon the centerline hard point.[14]

Operational history

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France

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French Air Force Alpha Jet E

TheFrench Air Forcedecided to use the Alpha Jet primarily as a trainer.[5]On 4 November 1977, the first production Alpha Jet intended for French service conducted its first flight.[26]The French variant was known as theAlpha Jet E(the "E" standing forÉcole,Frenchfor "School" ) orAlpha Jet Advanced Trainer/Light Attackaircraft. The initial deliveries to France for service trials took place in 1978, lead to the type being introduced to line service in May 1979. The Alpha Jet E quickly replaced theCanadair T-33andFouga Magisterin jet trainer role, as well as theDassault Mystère IVA in its weapons training capacity.[26][27][16]

Six French Alpha Jets of thePatrouille de Franceflight display team flying in formation during Air Fete '88

ThePatrouille de France,air demonstration team of the French Air Force, fly the Alpha Jet.[26][27]A total of 176 production Alpha Jet E machines were delivered up to 1985, not the 200 that had been planned. While an excellent aircraft, French air force commanders of combat units had one complaint against the Alpha Jet, that it was a very forgiving aircraft to fly, resulting in a lengthier and steeper learning curve when assigned to fly combat aircraft which were not so forgiving.[28]

During the early 1990s, the French Air Force investigated theAlpha Jet 3program, which involved installing a fully digital cockpit, modernised communications suite, and a full navigation/attack and sensor training system. It was ultimately abandoned as being too expensive.[29]In 1998, France's defence ministry examined prospective upgrades focused on the Alpha Jet's cockpit, such as the installation of a newHead-Up Display(HUD) and multifunction displays.[29]

In June 2003, Dassault revealed its plans for an Alpha Jet upgrade to potentially meet the French Air Force's long term training requirements. This upgrade was similar to that which was performed for the Belgian Air Force's Alpha Jet fleet, involving the installation of aglass cockpit,increasing cockpit compatibility with frontline aircraft such as theDassault RafaleandDassault Mirage 2000,as well as a structural overhaul.[30]

In September 2014,Direction générale de l'armement(DGA) and French Air Force officials were reportedly investigating theAlenia Aermacchi M-346 Masteras a replacement for the Alpha Jet.Alenia Aermacchiclaimed that France was interested in procuring 35 M-346s in this capacity.[31]In April 2015, the DGA issued an initial pre-solicitation request for a replacement trainer aircraft. Likely candidates for this requirement reportedly include the M-346 Master,Aero L-39 Albatros,Beechcraft T-6 Texan IIandPilatus PC-21.[32]The PC-21 was introduced in 2018.[33][34]

West Germany / Germany

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A German Air Force Alpha Jet prior to landing atRAF Fairford,Gloucestershire,England,1991

TheLuftwaffedecided to use the Alpha Jet mainly in the light strike role, preferring to continue flight training in the southwestern United States on American trainer types instead of performing training in Germany, although Germany also used Alpha Jets based atBeja,Portugal for weapons training.[35]On 12 April 1978, the first production German Alpha Jet performed its maiden flight, deliveries commenced in March 1979. It was designated theAlpha Jet A(the "A" standing forAppui Tactiqueor "Tactical Support" ) orAlpha Jet Close Supportvariant.[26]The Luftwaffe obtained a total of 175 aircraft up to 1983, the type was used to replace theFiat G91R/3fleet.[1][16]

In 1985, West Germany began a comprehensive upgrade program, known as theImproved Combat Efficiency(ICE) program, for their Alpha Jet fleet; these upgrades were to involve the installation of aMil Spec 1553Bdatabus, new sensors integrated with the navigation/attack systems, modernized electronic countermeasures suite, measures to minimize the aircraft's radar and infrared signatures, protection measures around the fuel system, and new armaments such as theAGM-65 Maverick.[36][37]In 1988, it was announced that the ICE program has been cancelled.[17]A more austere upgrade program did proceed in its place, which integrated theAIM-9L Sidewinderair-to-air missileand navigation computer upgrades, along with several minor airframe and equipment refinements, such as the addition of a jettisonablegun pod.[20]

During the 1991Gulf War,18 German Alpha Jets were deployed to Turkey alongside 6ItalianF-104sandBelgianMirage 5sunder aNATO-based operation to protect Turkey against potential Iraqi attacks.[38]

In 1992, the Luftwaffe began to phase out their Alpha Jet A aircraft, reserving 45 for lead-in fighter training. In 1993, a total of 50 were passed on to Portugal to replace theNorthrop T-38 TalonandFiat G.91fleets, with five of these used for spares.[39]The rest of the Luftwaffe's Alpha Jets were gradually phased out, the last leaving service in 1998, and customers were sought to buy them.[40][41]In October 1995, the German military offered 42 Alpha Jets to Poland for 143 million PLN.[42]In 1999, 25 Alpha Jets were sold to Thailand at 1 million baht ($27,000) each, replacing theNorth American OV-10 Broncoin the border patrol role;[43]while the BritishDefence Evaluation and Research Agencyobtained 12 as chase aircraft and flight test platforms due to a shortage in availableBAE Systems Hawkaircraft for the role.[44]

Germany was keen to sell the retired Alpha Jets quickly since they were reported as costing around DM100,000 ($55,000) to keep in storage each month.[43]Fairchild-Dornier received a US$43 million contract to refurbish a number of the aircraft and provide support to the end users. Apparently 32 more, including two spares hulks, were sold to theUnited Arab Emirates,though details are unclear.[45]Several were also sold to private owners, such as those used by the Austrian-basedFlying Bullsflight demonstration team, which flies a range of classic aircraft.[46]

Nigeria

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Nigerian Alpha Jet atOld Kaduna Airport,Kaduna State,Nigeria, 2012

In 1990, four Alpha Jets of theNigerian Air Forcewere deployed in support ofEconomic Community of West African States Monitoring Group(ECOMOG) forces stationed inLiberia,which were engaged in combat with theNational Patriotic Front of Liberia(NPFL) following an international intervention in theLiberian Civil War.In a series of strikes, these aircraft targeted and launched successful attacks uponCharles Taylor's HQ, rebel convoys and shipping, and gun emplacements atRoberts International Airport;the results of their intervention was judged byThe New York Timesto have given ECOMOG forces a decisive advantage in fire power.[47][48]

In 1992, six Nigerian Alpha Jets were placed directly under ECOMOG command, and employed against the NPLF in an extensive campaign of air strikes, road interdictions missions, anti-shipping sorties, and night raids (a task which the Alpha Jet was not normally equipped to perform). They were even employed to deny access to key bridges in order to give ECOMOG ground forces time to capture them before they were sabotaged. In total, Alpha Jets flew approximately 3,000 combat missions in support of ECOMOG, sustaining no losses but incurring some damage from anti-aircraft artillery.[47][49]

In 2013, Nigeria began taking steps to bring its Alpha Jet fleet back into service, upgrading 13 of the original 24 into serviceable condition, due to an urgent need for strike aircraft to participate in air support missions forcounterinsurgencyoperations againstBoko Haram.[50]In March 2016, Nigerian car manufacturerInnoson Vehicle Manufacturing(IVM) signed a supply agreement with the Nigerian Air Force to produce components and various spare parts for the Alpha Jet.[51][52]In 2015, Nigeria ordered four additional aircraft from the United States; these aircraft had been de-militarized and prepared for civilian operations, however Nigeria had reportedly returned two of these to an unspecified armed configuration by early 2016.[53][54][55]

The restored Alpha Jet force has been routinely employed in combat air patrols, and has conducted multiple air strikes against Boko Haram militants over a number of years. In September 2014, multiple Alpha Jets conducted a large number of aerial bombardment missions over and around the area ofBama,Borno State,during the fight to regain the city following the withdrawal of friendly ground forces.[56]In early October 2014, Boko Haram released a video containing thedecapitationof who they claimed was a captured Nigerian Air Force pilot of a downed Alpha Jet.[57]In March 2016, attacks performed by Nigerian Alpha Jets had reportedly dislodged Boko Haram fighters fromSambisa Forest,Borno State.[58]

On 31 March 2021, a Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet (NAF475) went missing nearBorno Statein northeastern Nigeria while carrying out air support for Nigerian troops fighting against Boko Haram, both pilots were missing,[59]presumed dead. A video was released claiming to show the jet being shot down, however the video was evidently doctored including previous clips from Syria. The Nigerian Air Force attributed the crash to an accident, pending further investigation.[60]However the video showed Boko Haram fighters at the crash site and remains of the pilots.[61][62]

On 18 July 2021, in a rare occurrence of a military jet downed by a criminal organization, an Alpha jet was shot down after conducting an interdiction mission on the border of the states of Zamfara and Kaduna against criminal gangs.[63]The military blamed intense fire from armed gangs for the shoot down. The pilot ejected and returned to an Army base, after evading capture.[64][65][66]

Belgium

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A Belgium Air Force Alpha Jet 1B atBeauvechain Air Base,Belgium, 2004

On 13 September 1973, the Belgian defence minister announced that 33 Alpha Jets had been ordered in two batches of 16 and 17 aircraft.[11]These aircraft were given the designationAlpha Jet 1B,the assembly work being performed by Belgian aircraft manufacturerSABCA.Deliveries took place between 1978 and 1980.[16]By April 1981, the Belgian Air Force had reportedly accumulated 10,000 flight hours on their 33 Alpha Jets during training operations.[67]The introduction of the Alpha Jet led to the retirement of Belgium'sFouga CM.170 Magisterfleet; changes to the training syllabus included the adoption of a new discipline,combined flight,as well as a greater use offlight simulators.[67]

During the late 1990s and 2000s, SABCA performed a number of upgrades on the Belgian aircraft to theAlpha Jet 1B+configuration; improvements made included the addition of a laser-gyroinertial navigationsystem, aGPSreceiver, aHUDin the front cockpit and a HUD repeater in the rear, a video recorder and other more minor improvements.[68]In 2000, the initial Alpha Jet 1B+ was re-delivered to the Belgian Air Force.

The Alpha Jet was phased out in 2019. The next year 25 airframes and several spare parts were sold to the Canadian companyTop Aceswhich provides adversary air combat training.Top Aces acquires 25 Belgian Air Force Alpha Jets

Egypt

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On 17 September 1978, Dassault and theArab Organization for Industrialization(AOI) signed a license manufacturing agreement for the Alpha Jet; at the time, it was projected that up to 160 Alpha Jets would be domestically produced inHelwan,Egypt.[16]Shortly thereafter, Egypt placed an initial order for 30 aircraft, designatedAlpha Jet MS1,which were to a standard trainer configuration. Four complete aircraft were directly supplied from Dassault's facility in France, while the remaining 26 of the order were domestically assembled in Egypt using knockdown kits by AOI.[69]

During the early 1980s, an additional 15 aircraft, designatedAlpha Jet MS2,were ordered. The Alpha Jet MS2 bore high levels of similarity to Dassault's proposedAlpha Jet NGEA,featuring aSagem-built Uliss 81 nav/attack system, aThomson-CSF-built laserrangefinderand HUD, along with a digital multiplexdatabus.[69]The Egyptian Air Force Alpha Jets were based at As Salahiya airbase in 308 (Close Air Support) Tactical Wing with 57 Squadron and 58 Squadron. In 2015 the 308 CAS Tactical Wing moved with both squadrons to El Mansoura airbase for ground attack training. The Egyptian Air Force used the Alpha Jet MS1 fleet to replace theAero L-29 DelfínandMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15in the trainer role, while the later-built MS2 standard aircraft served to replace theMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17in the ground-attack role.[69]In February 2000, Egypt was reportedly seeking to replace their Alpha Jet fleet, and was investigating several options, including theBAE Systems Hawk.[70]

Civilian service

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An Alpha Jet imported by Abbatare lands at theMojave Airport

Swiss firmRUAG Aviationoffers full support services for the Alpha Jet in cooperation with Dassault Aviation; services provided includes recommissioning, servicing, inspections, system upgrades integration work, along with technical and logistic support.[71]Abbatare Inc. ofArlington, Washington,under the name of "Alpha Jets USA", has imported a number of Alpha Jets into the United States, the firm modifies and sells individual aircraft in the civilian market.[72]

Canadian aviation specialistTop Acesoperates a fleet ofDouglas A-4 Skyhawksand Alpha Jets as adversary aircraft in air combat training exercises; these are often operated under contract for various military clients.[73]Multiple civil aerial display teams have procured Alpha Jets, such as theFlying BullsandMustang High Flight Aerobaticsteams.[46][74]H211, a private company which manages the planes owned and leased byGoogleexecsLarry Page,Sergey Brin,andEric Schmidt,operates a single Alpha Jet, based atNASA'sAmes Research Centerin Mountain View, California. It is reportedly equipped with scientific instrumentation and used for research purposes.[75][76]

Commencing in the third quarter of 2017, Air Affairs Australia andDiscovery Airwill provide three Alpha Jets to theAustralian Defence ForceforAustralian Armyattack controller training and anti-surface training (simulating sea-skimming missiles) for theRoyal Australian Navy.They will be based atRAAF Base Williamtown.[77]

Others

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Considerable foreign sales were expected for the Alpha Jet, with the type becoming available before its main rival, the United Kingdom'sBAE Systems Hawk.The two types, being relatively similar in role and specifications, ended up competing for many of the same contracts. This competition led to an aviation commentator stating of the two aircraft:

What Europe must avoid is the kind of wasteful competition that has theHawker Siddeley Hawkand Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet battling against each other in the world market.

— John W. R. Taylor, Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1975–1976[78]

Several other nations also obtained the Alpha Jet E, including the Ivory Coast (seven aircraft), Morocco (24), Nigeria (24), Qatar (six) and Togo (five). All of these machines were from French production except for the 24 Nigerian aircraft, which were from German production.

Between 1979 and 1981, theRoyal Moroccan Air Forcereceived 24 Alpha Jets which were organized into a training squadron and aCOINsquadron both based inMeknes.Alpha Jets were employed in strike missions against thePolisario Frontduring theWestern Sahara War,one of their number being shot down in December, 1985.[79]

Variants

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Portuguese Air ForceAlpha Jet A of theAsas de Portugalflight display team
French Air ForceAlpha Jet E
  • Alpha Jet A:Attack version originally used by Germany.
  • Alpha Jet E:Trainer version originally used by France and Belgium.
  • Alpha Jet 2:Development of the Alpha Jet E optimized for ground attack. This version was originally named theAlpha Jet NGAE(Nouvelle Generation Appui/Ecoleor "New Generation Attack/Training" ),
  • Alpha Jet MS1:Close support-capable version assembled in Egypt.
  • Alpha Jet MS2:Improved version with new avionics, an uprated engine, Magic Air-to-Air missiles, and a Lancierglass cockpit.
  • Alpha Jet ATS(Advanced Training System): A version fitted with multi-functional controls and a glass cockpit that will train pilots in the use of navigation and attack systems of the latest and future generation fighter aircraft. This version was also called theAlpha Jet 3orLancier.
  • Alpha Jet Al-Ghait:A single Moroccan Alpha Jet E modified with aSperry/Honeywell Primus300SLweather radar;known asAl-Ghait(The Rain).[80]and an AN/ALE-40chaff-flaredispenser, modified forcloud seeding.[81]

Operators

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Cameroon
Canada
AQinetiQ-operated Alpha Jet A
  • Top Aces– 30 Alpha Jet A (former Luftwaffe and Qinetic Aircraft) based in Montreal. With 19 operating as airborne training assets under contract to the Canadian Forces and Bundeswehr. Including use as an electronic warfare platform in cooperation with Engility and414 Squadron.[82]Also 25 Alpha Jet E acquired from Belgium.[83]
Egypt
  • Egypt Air Force(Alpha Jet MS2 and E) – 14 MS2 and 40 E (MS1), All upgraded to (MS2)
France
Morocco
Nigeria
  • Nigerian Air Force(Alpha Jet E) – 24 acquired. 4 upgraded in 2011, 9 more reactivated. 11 in service.
APortuguese Air ForceAlpha Jet with commemorative livery of 103 Squadron's 50th anniversary
An Alpha Jet at the 2008Royal International Air Tattoo(RIAT)
Qatar
Thailand
A Royal Thai Air Force Alpha Jet in 2013
Togo

Former operators

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Australia
  • Air Affairs/Top Aces- 3 (FormerLuftwaffeAlpha Jet A) provided by Top Aces. Operated in support of Australian Defence Force training.[82]
Belgium
  • Belgian Air Component(Alpha Jet E) – 33 acquired in 1978, phased out 2019. Last remaining 25 sold to Top Aces
Germany
Ivory Coast
Portugal
United Kingdom
  • QinetiQ– (Alpha Jet A) 12 formerLuftwaffeaircraft - retired 31 January 2018.[87]Of these 12, only 6 flew. Whole fleet sold to Top Aces
United States

Specifications (Close-support version)

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Orthographic projection of the Alpha Jet
External image
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet cutaway
Hi-res cutaway of the Dassault/Dornier Alpha JetbyFlight Global

Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83,[88]and Flight International[13]

General characteristics

  • Crew:2
  • Length:13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan:9.11 m (29 ft 11 in)
  • Height:4.19 m (13 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area:17.5 m2(188 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio:4.8
  • Empty weight:3,515 kg (7,749 lb)
  • Gross weight:5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight:7,500 kg (16,535 lb)
  • Fuel capacity:1,520 kg (3,351 lb)[89]
  • Powerplant:2 ×SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac04-C5turbofanengines, 13.24 kN (2,980 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed:1,000 km/h (620 mph, 540 kn) at sea level[90]
  • Stall speed:167 km/h (104 mph, 90 kn) (flaps and undercarriage down)
216 km/h (134 mph; 117 kn) (flaps and undercarriage up)
  • Combat range:610 km (380 mi, 330 nmi) lo-lo-lo profile, gun pod, underwing weapons and two drop tanks
1,095 km (680 mi; 591 nmi) hi-lo-hi profile, gun pod, underwing weapons and two drop tanks
  • Ferry range:2,940 km (1,830 mi, 1,590 nmi) with 2x 310 L (82 US gal; 68 imp gal) droptanks
  • Endurance:(internal fuel only) 2 hours 30 minutes at low altitude; 3 hours 30 minutes at high altitude
  • Service ceiling:14,630 m (48,000 ft)
  • g limits:+12 / -6.4 (ultimate)
  • Rate of climb:57 m/s (11,200 ft/min) max[91]
  • Time to altitude:9,145 m (30,000 ft) in less than 7 minutes
  • Landing speed:170 km/h (110 mph; 92 kn)
  • Take-off run:410 m (1,350 ft)
  • Landing run:610 m (2,000 ft)

Armament

See also

edit
External videos
Red Bull Alpha Jet performing an aerial display over Athens, Greece, in 2013
Extensive footage of German Alpha Jet operations in the early 1990s
Guided tour of the cockpit of an Alpha Jet

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^abcde"Alpha Jet."Archived2012-05-15 at theWayback MachineDassault.Retrieved: 30 December 2012.
  2. ^Kocs 1995, p. 112.
  3. ^Kocs 1995, pp. 112-113.
  4. ^Kocs 1995, p. 113.
  5. ^abcdeBraybrook 1984, p. 270.
  6. ^abLambert 1974, p. 264.
  7. ^Kocs 1995, pp. 112-114.
  8. ^Kocs 1995, pp. 113-114.
  9. ^abcdKocs 1995, p. 114.
  10. ^Lambert 1974, pp. 264-265.
  11. ^abcdeLambert 1974, p. 265.
  12. ^abcKocs 1995, p. 115.
  13. ^abcdeLambert 1974, p. 266.
  14. ^abcdef"Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,8 November 1978. p. 1882.
  15. ^abcdefg"Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,1 May 1976. p. 1148.
  16. ^abcdef"Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,4 November 1978. p. 1649.
  17. ^abcdefg"Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,19 August 1989. p. 38.
  18. ^"New-generation trainer/attack Alpha Jet flight-tested."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,24 April 1982. p. 1033.
  19. ^"Warlike Jets."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,2 July 1983. p. 27.
  20. ^abc"Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,13 August 1988. p. 36.
  21. ^ab"New Generation Alpha Jet First Public Appearance."Archived2016-11-30 at theWayback MachineFlight International,4 September 1982. p. 657.
  22. ^"New Alpha Jet shown."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,22 June 1985. p. 9.
  23. ^Lambert 1974, pp. 266, 277.
  24. ^abFulton, Ken."Power for the Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,8 February 1974. p. 268.
  25. ^"New Engine Being Developed for Alpha Jet."Aviation Week & Space Technology,McGraw-Hill, 1982. Volume 116, Issues 22-26, p. 115.
  26. ^abcdTaylor 1982, p. 105.
  27. ^abBraybrook 1984, pp. 275–276.
  28. ^Christophe Gasztych, "Savoie's AUTUMN"Air Force's Monthly,March 2013, pp. 40-45.
  29. ^ab"France studies Alpha Jet life extension."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,21 October 1998.
  30. ^"Alpha Jet upgrade ahead."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,17 June 2003.
  31. ^Perry, Dominic."France to evaluate M-345 as possible Alpha Jet replacement."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,11 September 2014.
  32. ^Perry, Dominic."PARIS: France plans Alpha Jet replacement."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,16 June 2015.
  33. ^"France speeds PC-21 deliveries".20 September 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2017.Retrieved3 November2017.
  34. ^"UNVEILED THE FIRST PILATUS PC-21 FOR FRENCH AIR FORCE".Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2017.Retrieved3 November2017.
  35. ^Braybrook 1984, pp. 270, 276.
  36. ^"Luftwaffe outlines Alpha Jet update."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,27 April 1985. p. 8.
  37. ^"Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,1 August 1987. p. 27.
  38. ^"Ace Guard".
  39. ^Sijger 1994, pp. 128–129.
  40. ^Barrie, Douglas."Germany nears Alpha Jet deal."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,7 April 1992. p. 17.
  41. ^"Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,19 July 1994. p. 40.
  42. ^Michta 2016, pp. 70-71.
  43. ^ab"Thailand wants F-16s and shrinks Alpha Jet plan."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,11 August 1999.
  44. ^"UK buys ex-German air force Alpha Jets."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,18 August 1999.
  45. ^"UAE closes on Alpha Jet purchase."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,24 November 1999.
  46. ^ab"Alpha Jet."Archived2016-06-11 at theWayback MachineThe Flying Bulls,Retrieved: 30 May 2016.
  47. ^ab"ECOMOG Air Operations During The Liberian Civil War. An Official Overview of the Early Phases; 1,000 Sorties Flown October 1992-July 1993".Defense Studies Journal(Special Issue on ECOMOG). 1996.Archivedfrom the original on 2016-03-04.Retrieved2016-01-01.
  48. ^"Waging War to Keep the Peace: The ECOMOG Intervention and Human Rights."Archived2016-06-21 at theWayback MachineHuman Rights Watch,June 1993. Volume 5, Issue No. 6.
  49. ^Adebajo 2002, p. 82.
  50. ^"Photo Newsreel: Nigerian Air Force Reinduct 9 Alpha Jets and a C130 Hercules".Beegeagle's Blog.30 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 9 March 2016.Retrieved1 January2016.
  51. ^Monks, Kieron."Nigeria's first car maker takes to the skies in fighter jets."Archived2016-04-04 at theWayback MachineCNN,30 March 2016.
  52. ^Karls Tsokar, Abuja."Local firm produces spare parts for NAF fighter Pharmacist."Archived2016-08-13 at theWayback MachineThe Guardian,11 February 2016.
  53. ^Binnie, Jeremy."Nigeria re-militarises two Alpha Jets."Archived2016-03-02 at theWayback MachineIHS Jane's Defence Weekly,27 January 2016.
  54. ^"Nigerian Air Force receiving additional Alpha Jets".DefenseWeb.26 March 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2016.Retrieved1 January2016.
  55. ^Mutum, Ronald."Air Force refits training aircraft for combat mission."Archived2016-07-22 at theWayback MachineDaily Trust,26 January 2016.
  56. ^"Nigeria military aircraft bombing Boko Haram missing."Archived2016-06-01 at theWayback MachinePremium Times,14 September 2014.
  57. ^"VIDEO: Boko Haram terrorists behead Nigerian Airforce Pilot (Viewer's discretion)."Archived2016-08-06 at theWayback MachineAfrican Spotlight,5 October 2014.
  58. ^Lauya, Adbul."NAF Alpha jets dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from Sambisa forest."Archived2016-10-21 at theWayback MachineThe Authority,26 March 2016.
  59. ^Lionel, Ekene (April 1, 2021)."Nigerian air force Alpha jet lost during counter terror operations".Military Africa.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-04-01.
  60. ^"Nigerian Air Force says missing Alpha Jet was not shot down".5 April 2021.
  61. ^"Blast in video of purported shootdown of Nigerian military plane is fake, analysis shows".3 April 2021.
  62. ^"Nigerian Airforce say no be Boko Haram shoot down Alpha Jet aircraft wey crash".BBC News Pidgin.
  63. ^Lionel, Ekene (21 July 2020)."Military Africa".Military Africa.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-07-20.
  64. ^Ewokor, Chris."Nigeria fighter plane shot down by bandits - military".BBC.Retrieved19 July2021.
  65. ^"Nigerian Air Force lose another Alpha Jet, pilot rescued".20 July 2021.
  66. ^"Ali Kachalla: Unveiling the Zamfara terror kingpin who downed NAF jet".2 August 2021.
  67. ^ab"Belgian Air Force Alpha Jet training."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,18 April 1981. p. 1109.
  68. ^Penny, Stewart."Belgium updates Alpha Jet fleet."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,3 November 1999.
  69. ^abc"Egypt rolls out Gazelle and receives Alpha Jets."Archived2016-08-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,10 December 1983, p. 1518.
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  74. ^"Classic Aerobatics for your Airshow!"Archived2016-05-06 at theWayback MachineMustang High Flight Aerobatics,Retrieved: 30 May 2016.
  75. ^Helft, Miguel."A New (Fighter) Jet for Google's Founders?."Archived2015-09-09 at theWayback MachineThe New York Times,23 October 2008.
  76. ^Alex Hern (12 December 2013)."Google execs saved millions on private jet flights using cheaper NASA fuel".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 12 December 2013.Retrieved12 Dec2013.
  77. ^"Air Affairs to provide three Alpha Jets for ADF training".Australian Aviation. 3 March 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 2 March 2017.Retrieved3 March2017.
  78. ^Taylor 1976, p. 63.
  79. ^Cooper, Tom."Morocco, Mauritania & West Sahara since 1972".ACIG.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved1 January2016.
  80. ^"Raining champions of the Arab world".Times Aerospace.Times Aerospace Publishing Ltd.Retrieved26 June2022.
  81. ^Jackson, Kevin (13 May 2014)."Airshow Review – Marrakech Airshow 2014".Global Aviation Resource.Retrieved26 June2022.
  82. ^ab"Top Aces".Archivedfrom the original on 2019-04-23.Retrieved2019-06-03.
  83. ^"Top Aces acquires 25 Belgian Air Force Alpha Jets".
  84. ^Mata 2017, pp. 87–89.
  85. ^Barreira, Victor (20 November 2017)."Portugal to phase out Alpha Jet A".IHS Jane's 360.Archived fromthe originalon 20 November 2017.Retrieved20 November2017.
  86. ^"Portugal retires its Alpha Jets".Air International.March 2018. p. 16.ISSN0306-5634.
  87. ^Harding, Ian (March 2018). "Alpha Jet retires".Air International.p. 21.ISSN0306-5634.
  88. ^Taylor 1982, pp. 105–106.
  89. ^with a further 500 kg (1,102 lb) in 2x 310 L (82 US gal; 68 imp gal) drop tanks
  90. ^M0.85 at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
  91. ^5.5 m/s (1,080 ft/min) on one engine at sea level at 4,782 kg (10,543 lb) in landing configuration

Bibliography

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  • Adebajo, Adekeye.Building Peace in West Africa: Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau.Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2002.ISBN1-5882-6077-1.
  • Braybrook, Roy. "Training Maturity".Air International,Vol. 26, No. 6, June 1984, pp. 269–276, 312–313. Bromley, UK: Fine Scroll. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Cuny, Jean and Pierre Leyvastre.Les Avions Breguet (1940/1971).Paris: Editions Larivière, 1977. DOCAVIA vol. 6. OCLC 440863702
  • Eden, Paul, ed.The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft.London: Amber Books, 2004.ISBN1-904687-84-9.
  • Goebel, Greg (1 April 2020),"The Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet & FMA Pampa",AirVectors
  • Kocs, Stephen A.Autonomy Or Power?: The Franco-German Relationship and Europe's Strategic Choices, 1955-1995.Greenwood Publishing Group, 1995.ISBN0-2759-4890-0.
  • Lambert, Mark."Alpha Jet: The co-operative trainer/attack aircraft."Flight International,28 February 1974. pp. 264–267, 277.
  • Mata, Paulo. "Last Days".Air International,Vol. 93, No. 1, July 2017, pp. 86–89.ISSN0306-5634.
  • Michta, Andrew A.The Soldier-Citizen: The Politics of the Polish Army after Communism.Springer, 2016.ISBN1-3496-1596-X.
  • Stijger, Eric. "Alpha Jets for Portugal".Air International,Vol. 46, No. 3, March 1994, pp. 128–131. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Taylor, John W R(ed).Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83.London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982.ISBN0-7106-0748-2.

Further reading

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  • Lacaze, Henri (2016).Les avions Louis Breguet Paris[The Aircraft of Louis Breguet, Paris] (in French). Vol. 2: le règne du monoplan. Le Vigen, France.ISBN978-2-914017-89-3.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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