The Force d'action navale (FAN, Naval Action Force) is the 9,600-man and about 100-ship force of surface warships of the French Navy . As of August 2023, it is commanded by L’amiral Nicolas Vaujour.
65-872: The ships are divided into seven categories: The aeronaval group is the main French Navy power projection force. It is also one of the components of the nuclear deterrence forces, since the embarked Super Étendard and Rafale planes have nuclear capabilities. At minimum, it contains a single aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle , an anti-air frigate , and a support vessel. Typically, this group also includes several anti-air and anti-submarine frigates, nuclear attack submarines ( Rubis -class submarines or Barracuda-class submarines ), and possibly additional support ships. The carrier air group can include up to 40 aircraft: Rafale , Super Étendard and E-2 Hawkeye planes; NH90 Caïman Marine , AS365 Dauphin and AS565 Panther helicopters. This composition varies according to
130-644: A guided missile cruiser , and USS Ingraham , a guided missile frigate , were entering the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz when the five Iranian boats approached them at high speed and in a threatening manner. The US Navy ships had been in the Arabian Sea searching for a sailor who had been missing from Hopper for 24 hours. The US Navy said the Iranian boats made "threatening" moves toward
195-639: A few artillery rounds were fired at the French peace keepers. On November 10, a Super Étendard dodged a Syrian SA-7 shoulder-launched missile near Bourj el-Barajneh while flying over Druze positions. On 17 November 1983, the same airplanes attacked and destroyed an Islamic Amal training camp in Baalbeck after a terrorist attack on French paratroopers in Beirut . From 1991, the original pure attack Étendard IVMs were withdrawn from French service; though
260-413: A lozenge with a silver star above the trident. Surrounding the lozenge is a wreath with lightning bolts stemming from the bottom. The crest is completed by the blue and gold framing. The motto is written on a scroll of white with red trim. The ships motto is "AUDE ET EFFICE" which can be translated to "DARE AND DO" within context of a command. The coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, upon
325-616: A new inertial data system partly integrating GPS , and compatibility with the Damocles Laser designator pod. The Super Étendard could also deploy tactical nuclear weapons; initially these were unguided gravity bombs only, however, during the 1990s the Super Étendard was extensively upgraded, enabling the deployment of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée , a ramjet -powered air-launched nuclear missile . The aircraft
390-551: A part of Task Force 473, during France's Opération Harmattan in support of UN resolution 1973 during the Libyan conflict. They were paired again with Dassault Rafales on interdiction missions. The final Super Étendards in French naval aviation were in one "flottille" (squadron) called flottille 17F . All Super Étendards were retired from French service on 12 July 2016 to be replaced by the Dassault Rafale M, 42 years after
455-633: A single engine and a poor throttle response time that made landing back on a carrier after an engine failure difficult. In 1973, all development work on the Jaguar M was formally cancelled by the French government. There were several proposed aircraft to replace the Jaguar M, including the LTV A-7 Corsair II and the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk . Dassault pulled some strings with the French government and produced its own proposal to meet
520-590: A test missile launched from the Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll using her onboard AN/SPY-1 radar, providing critical targeting data to a long-range ground-based interceptor (GBI) launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base , California. GBI's protect the US from limited long-range ballistic missile attack. In January 2018, Hopper performed a freedom of navigation cruise, sailing within 12 nautical miles of
585-503: Is a development of the earlier Étendard IVM which had been developed in the 1950s. The Étendard IVM was originally to have been replaced by a navalised version of the SEPECAT Jaguar , designated as the Jaguar M; however the Jaguar M project was stalled by a combination of political problems and issues experienced during trial deployments on board carriers. Specifically, the Jaguar M had suffered handling problems when being flown on
650-437: Is also one permanent mechanics ship, Jules Verne , which can repair other ships. The spy ship Dupuy de Lôme is used for intelligence gathering and the tracking ship Monge is used to develop new weapon systems, especially those related to nuclear deterrence. One hydro-oceanographic and three hydrographic ships help carrying out mapping and research operations, as well as gathering intelligence which could prove useful to
715-610: Is an Arleigh Burke -class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy , named for the pioneering computer scientist Rear Admiral Grace Hopper . Hopper is only the second US Navy warship to be named for a woman from the Navy's own ranks. This ship is the 20th destroyer of her class. Hopper was the 11th ship of this class to be built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and construction began on 23 February 1995. She
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#1732765995053780-452: The D'Entrecasteaux class have been constructed and deployed to New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Réunion, and Martinique. Four home support and assistance vessels ( bâtiments de soutien et d'assistance métropolitains ) of the Loire class have been constructed and deployed to Brest and Toulon (with two in each port). The support ships allow the French naval forces to be present anywhere on
845-1027: The Gendarmerie Maritime carry out law enforcement operations primarily in ports and coastal waters. These include six 32-metre (105 ft) coastal patrol boats ( Patrouilleur côtier de Gendarmerie maritime or PCGM), based in Cherbourg (2), Lorient, Toulon, Guadeloupe, and French Polynesia. There are twenty-four 20-metre (66 ft) coastal surveillance launches ( vedette côtière de surveillance maritime ), nineteen deployed around metropolitan France and five deployed overseas, generally responding to both maritime and departmental prefects for law enforcement in coastal waters. Eight 12-metre (39 ft) launches ( vedette de sûreté maritime et portuaire ), are located in Le Havre, Cherbourg, Brest, Marseilles, and Toulon. Four overseas support and assistance vessels ( bâtiments de soutien et d'assistance outre-mer ) of
910-466: The 2011 Libyan civil war , the French carrier battle group commanded from Charles de Gaulle was designated Task Force 473 and was under the command of Vice-Admiral Phillippe Coindreau. Coindreau was promoted to contre-amiral in September 2009, and he was named deputy commandant of the aéro-maritime force of rapid réaction at Toulon . In English-language reports, he was described as deputy commander of
975-774: The French Navy . The aircraft is an advanced development of the Étendard IVM , which it replaced. The Super Étendard first flew in October 1974 and entered French service in June 1978. French Super Étendards have served in several conflicts such as the Kosovo war , the war in Afghanistan and the military intervention in Libya . The Super Étendard was also operated by Iraq (on a temporary lease) and Argentina, which both deployed
1040-763: The Mistral -class ships or based in overseas territories. 14 EDA-S Amphibious Standard Landing Craft (Engins de Débarquement Amphibie – Standards) have been ordered to replace CTM landing craft carried on the Mistral -class helicopter assault ships and to restore a light amphibious transport capability to French naval forces protecting certain of its overseas territories ( Mayotte , New Caledonia , Martinique and French Guiana ) and for operations around Djibouti . Deliveries of these landing craft were initiated in 2021 and will continue up to 2025. The amphibious groups include one or several landing craft (EDAR and CTM) which allow
1105-747: The ballistic missile submarines ( Strategic Oceanic Force ) in Brest , and the attack submarines in Toulon . They also stay available to secure access to Toulon , Marseille , any of the harbours of the Atlantic coast, and any Allied harbour simultaneously. They are designed to be used within a larger group, interallied or international, in case of mine risks near coasts. In peacetime, these units can bring help and assistance to civilian ships, or search wrecks. This force includes 1,100 men and: These 65 vessels (as of 2019) patrol harbors, territorial waters, and
1170-531: The 1980–88 Iraq-Iran War as they could launch Exocet strikes on Iranian merchant shipping traversing the Persian Gulf . The Super Étendards began maritime operations over Persian Gulf in March 1984; a total of 34 attacks were carried out on Iranian shipping through the rest of 1984. Tankers of any nationality that were carrying Iranian crude oil were also subject to Iraqi attacks. Iraq typically deployed
1235-662: The Argentine Navy continued to seek the upgrade kits for 10 of its 11 remaining Super Étendards; this ambition appears to have been complicated by several factors, France has been non-committal regarding the sought sale; critically, political developments between France and the UK may potentially allow the UK to obstruct the supply of military equipment to Argentina such as the upgrade kits and the Exocet missile. In 2017 five Super Étendard Modernisé were purchased from France to bolster
1300-535: The Flottile 16.F was hit by a Serb SAM on 15 April 1994, while flying a reconnaissance mission over Gorazde , Bosnia, as part of Operation Deny Flight . The pilot managed to safely land on Clemenceau despite heavy damage on its tailpipe, elevators and fin. The SEM also flew strike missions in Operation Enduring Freedom . Mission Héraclès starting 21 November 2001 saw the deployment of
1365-815: The Gulf of Guinea, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean, replacing eight of the original P400-class OPVs. As of 2024, five of the PHMs remain in service, with replacements (the “Patrouilleurs Hauturiers” - PH) being designed to enter service from 2026 and operate primarily in the waters of Metropolitan France. Prior to 2011, ten P400-class OPVs operated in pairs at Réunion, Martinique, French Guiana, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia. All have been retired as of 2023. They are being replaced in
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#17327659950531430-911: The High Readiness Force Maritime Headquarters. On 29 December 2013, Task Force 473, led by the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle , and comprising the destroyer Forbin , frigate Jean de Vienne , and the replenishment oiler Meuse met Carrier Strike Group Ten for an exercise in the Gulf of Oman . Carrier Strike Group Ten comprises the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman , guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg and USS San Jacinto and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley , USS Carney , USS Hopper , and USS Mason . In November 2015, Task Force 473 sailed again to strike Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq. The composition of
1495-543: The Martin Baker ejection seats manufactured in the U.K.. As a result, alternative parts were being sought in the United States. In early 2022, it was reported that the spare parts problem remained unresolved and the aircraft remained in storage. On 17 May 2023, on the occasion of the 209th anniversary of the Argentine Navy, Argentinean Minister of Defense Jorge Taiana, announced the withdrawal from service of all
1560-588: The Super Étendard. The Super Étendards would operate from both of France's aircraft carriers at that time, Clemenceau and Foch ; either carrier's air wing typically comprised 16 Super Étendards, 10 F-8 Crusaders , 3 Étendard IVPs , 7 Breguet Alizé anti-submarine aircraft, as well as numerous helicopters. The first fighting operational missions took place in Lebanon during Operation Olifant. On 22 September 1983, French Navy Super Étendards operating from Foch bombed and destroyed Syrian forces positions after
1625-471: The Super Étendards in pairs, escorted by Mirage F1 fighters from bases in Southern Iraq; once inside the mission zone, the Super Étendards would search for targets using their onboard radar and engage suspected tankers at long range without visual identification. While tankers would typically be struck by a launched Exocet, they were often only lightly damaged. On 2 April 1984, an Iraqi Super Étendard
1690-555: The Super Étendards of the Aviación Naval Argentina. Deliveries of the Super Étendard to the French Navy started in 1978, with the first squadron, Flottille 11F becoming operational in February 1979. As they offered no air combat capabilities France had to extend useful life of its Crusaders fighters, as no replacement option was found. In total, three operational squadrons and a training unit were equipped with
1755-565: The TCDs. The destroyers and frigates are the backbone of the French surface fleet. The French Navy does not officially use the term "destroyer" but rather classifies these vessels as "first-rate frigates". Nevertheless, they are identified with the NATO "D" designation which ranks them in the destroyer class, instead of ranking them with an "F" designation as frigates. As of 2023, all French warships are having their hull numbers removed in order to reduce
1820-514: The US Navy vessels, coming as close as 200 yards (180 m). The US Navy received a radio transmission saying, "I am coming to you. You will explode after a few minutes." As the US Navy ships prepared to fire, the Iranians abruptly turned away, the US officials said. Before leaving, the Iranians dropped white boxes into the water in front of the US Navy ships. The US Navy ships did not investigate
1885-632: The United States put an arms embargo in place, due to the Dirty War and refused to supply spare parts for Argentina's fleet of A-4Q Skyhawks . Between August and November 1981, five Super Étendards and five anti-ship sea-skimming Exocet missiles were shipped to Argentina. The Super Étendards, armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles played a key role in the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982. The 2nd Naval Squadron
1950-421: The ability to identify individual ships. Destroyers/frigates secure aero-naval space and allow free action to the other components of the Navy. They are specialised according to the threat, typically escorting other forces (aeronaval or amphibious groups, submarines or civil ships). As of 2024 the principal surface combatants of the force consisted of: The minesweepers secure major French harbours, especially for
2015-468: The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its Super Étendards in Afghanistan. Operation Anaconda , starting on 2 March 2002 saw extensive use of the Super Étendard in support of French and allied ground troops. Super Étendards returned to operations over Afghanistan in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010–2011. One of their main roles was to carry laser designation pods to illuminate targets for Dassault Rafales . In March 2011, Étendards were deployed as
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2080-610: The aircraft during wartime. Argentina's Navy use of the Super Étendard and the Exocet missile during the 1982 Falklands War led to the aircraft gaining considerable popular recognition. The Super Étendard was used by Iraq to attack oil tankers and merchant shipping in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq-Iran War . In French service, the Super Étendard was replaced by the Dassault Rafale in 2016. The Super Étendard
2145-484: The boxes. Officials from the two nations differed on the severity of the incident. The Iranians claimed they were conducting normal maneuvers while American officials claimed that an imminent danger to American naval vessels existed. On 15 April 2011, Hopper departed from Pearl Harbor on a deployment to Asia and the Middle East. On 22 June 2014, Hopper , with her Aegis Combat System , detected and tracked
2210-561: The carrier HMS Invincible . Following the end of the conflict, by 1984 Argentina had received all the 14 Super Étendards ordered, and Exocets with which to arm them. Super Étendards performed qualifications on the aircraft carrier ARA 25 de Mayo until the ship's final retirement. Since 1993, Argentine pilots have practised on board the neighbouring Brazilian Navy's aircraft carrier São Paulo . Touch-and-go landing exercises were also common on US Navy carriers during Gringo-Gaucho manoeuvres and joint exercises. In 2009, an agreement
2275-494: The country was waiting for deliveries of Agave-equipped Dassault Mirage F1s capable of launching Exocet missiles that had been ordered; the first of these aircraft arrived in Iraq on 8 October 1983. The provision of Super Étendards to Iraq was politically controversial, the United States and Iraq's neighbour Iran were vocal in their opposition while Saudi Arabia supported the loan; the aircraft were seen as an influential factor in
2340-406: The deployment of naval forces and their weapon systems. They are operated by the service hydrographique et océanographique de la marine (SHOM). Dassault Super %C3%89tendard The Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard ( Étendard is French for " battle flag ", cognate to English "standard") is a French carrier-borne strike fighter aircraft designed by Dassault-Breguet for service with
2405-551: The disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea . China, which has held the rocky outpost since seizing it from the Philippines in 2012, registered a protest on the grounds that the US Navy should have notified China in advance of its approach and had "violated China's sovereignty and security interests". The shield has a background of blue. In the center is a gold lion with red talons. The crest consists of
2470-728: The field of Ballistic Missile Defense . On 1 April 2002, Hopper departed for a six-month deployment to the North Persian Gulf. On 12 November 2007, Hopper departed with the USS ; Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group for a scheduled deployment to the Fifth Fleet and Seventh Fleet . On 6 January 2008, Hopper was involved in an incident with five gunboats of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard . Hopper , along with USS Port Royal ,
2535-451: The fleet at a cost of €12.5 million, along with a simulator, eight spare engines, and a large batch of spares and tooling. However, while these aircraft were delivered in 2019, in 2020 they were still awaiting the delivery of key spare parts and it was announced that they may not be in operational service for a further two years. In 2021, it was reported that the aircraft also remained non-operational due to problems obtaining components for
2600-465: The former P 400s. There are also two unique patrol vessels ( Le Malin at Réunion and Fulmar for Saint Pierre and Miquelon) which are ex-trawlers fulfilling patrol missions in their respective areas. Le Malin is to be replaced by 2025 by a POM-class vessel, while an additional POM-class ships are to further reinforce the French naval presence in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The patrol boats of
2665-725: The initial attacks on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan as part of what became the War in Afghanistan , in response to the September 11 attacks . The group, designated Task Force 473 for the operation, comprised 2,900 men under the command of Contre-Amiral François Cluzel and sailed in December 2001. It consisted of the nuclear aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle , frigates La Motte-Picquet , Jean de Vienne , Jean Bart ,
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2730-428: The major technical advances of the Super Étendard was its onboard UAT-40 central computer; this managed most mission-critical systems, integrating navigational data and functions, radar information and display, and weapons targeting and controls. In the 1990s, significant modifications and upgrades were made to the type, including an updated UAT-90 computer and a new Thomson-CSF Anemone radar which provided nearly double
2795-499: The mission and the tactical environment, and can include aircraft of the ALAT (Army) or the Armée de l'Air (Air Force) . Like any naval force, the aeronaval group can be assisted by land-based Breguet Atlantique aircraft. The aircraft carrier Clemenceau formed the core of the French Navy's battle force for many years. One of the aeronaval group's deployments was to take part in
2860-402: The new avionics, made its maiden flight on 28 October 1974. The original intention of the French Navy was to order a total of 100 Super Étendards, however the order placed was for 60 of the new model with options for a further 20; further budget cuts and an escalation in the aircraft's per unit price eventually led to only 71 Super Étendards being purchased. Dassault began making deliveries of
2925-403: The nuclear attack submarine Rubis , the tanker Meuse , and the D'Estienne d'Orves -class aviso Commandant Ducuing . The Indian Ocean region deployment lasted for seven months before the group returned to France in mid-2002. The number 473 seems to be semi-permanently assigned to Charles de Gaulle and its task group, being used again during Operation Agapanthe in 2004. During
2990-401: The only fully French-made candidate, and as cheaper than the other contestants, using modern technology already proven in existing Dassault planes. Dassault's Super Étendard proposal was accepted by the French Navy in 1973, leading to a series of prototypes being quickly assembled. The first of three prototypes to be built, an Étendard IVM which had been modified with the new engine and some of
3055-470: The planet, regardless of the remoteness of their bases. These ships operate independently or are integrated into tactical groups. They shuttle between harbours and fleets, giving them months of operational capabilities by feeding fuel, ammunition, food, water, spare parts and mail. A class of up to four new underway support ships, the Jacques Chevallier -class, began service entry in 2023. There
3120-604: The projection of inter-arm groups with troops, vehicles and helicopters. They can carry Puma , Cougar and NH-90 Caïman Marine transport helicopters or Gazelle and Tigre combat helicopters, the Commandos Marine , minesweeping units, or Army units. Commander French Maritime Forces (COMFRMARFOR) advises ALFAN, the Admiral in command of the Naval Action Force, and when operational at sea commands from
3185-456: The range of the previous Agave radar. Other upgrades at this time included an extensively redesigned cockpit with HOTAS controls, and airframe life-extension work was undertaken; a total of 48 aircraft received these upgrades, at a rate of 15 per year. During the 2000s, further improvements included significantly improved self-defence ECM capability to better evade enemy detection and attacks, cockpit compatibility with night vision goggles ,
3250-517: The reconnaissance version of the Étendard IV, the IVP, remained in service until July 2000. In response, the Super Étendards underwent a series of upgrades throughout the 1990s to add new capabilities and update existing systems for use in the modern battlefield. Designated Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM), the first combat missions for the type came during NATO's Allied Force operations over Serbia in 1999 flying 400 combat missions. An Étendard IVPM from
3315-407: The requirement. According to Bill Gunston and Peter Gilchrist, Dassault had played a significant role in the cancellation of the Jaguar M with the aim of creating a vacancy for their own proposal – the Super Étendard. The Super Étendard was essentially an improved version of the existing Étendard IVM, outfitted with a more powerful engine, a new wing and improved avionics. Dassault sold its plane as
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#17327659950533380-498: The subsonic attack jet performed its first flight. The Super Étendard's last operational deployment from Charles de Gaulle was in support of Opération Chammal against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, which began in late 2015. On 16 March 2016, the aircraft undertook its final launch from Charles de Gaulle ahead of its final withdrawal from service in July. A total of five Super Étendards were loaned to Iraq in 1983 while
3445-547: The task force is French, however, the British destroyer HMS Defender and a frigate from the Belgian Navy, Leopold I , sailed as part of the group. The French Navy operates three large amphibious ships ( Mistral -class amphibious assault ships), which contain smaller landing craft. Aboard are helicopters, troops, and land vehicles. The force also operates smaller landing craft which are either carried on board
3510-490: The type to the French Navy in June 1978. In the first year of production, 15 Super Étendards were produced for the French Navy, allowing the formation of the first squadron in 1979. Dassault produced the aircraft at a rough rate of two per month. The Argentine Navy was the only export customer. Argentina placed an order for 14 aircraft to meet their requirements for a capable new fighter that could operate from their sole aircraft carrier. In 1983, all manufacturing activity
3575-699: The waters of France's overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean by a new class of vessel, the Patrouilleur Outre-mer (POM class) which is entering service between 2023 and 2026. Three vessels: Flamant , Cormoran , and Pluvier fill similar roles of patrolling beyond territorial waters out of metropolitan France. They are to be replaced in these roles from 2026 by the PH-class vessels. Three Patrouilleur Antilles Guyane (PAG), are based in French Guiana and Martinique replacing
3640-982: The world's largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including enforcing fishing, environmental, and criminal laws, and conducting or supporting recovery operations. Six Floréal -class frigates perform sovereignty tasks, mainly by controlling the large French EEZ, carrying out police action, and monitoring fishing activities. They operate in low-risk environments. All six are based overseas (two at Réunion, two at Martinique, one in French Polynesia, and one in New Caledonia) The A-69 avisos were originally designed to counter conventional submarines, especially in coastal defence. Instead of decommissioning all 17 as planned, by 2011, nine were stripped of heavy weaponry and converted to offshore patrol vessel ( Patrouilleur de haute-mer or PHM). While based in metropolitan France, they conduct routine deployments to
3705-540: Was launched and christened on 6 January 1996. On 6 September 1997, she was commissioned in San Francisco. Hopper has participated in multiple deployments to East Asia and the Persian Gulf , including RIMPAC 98, three individual PACMEF deployments, an Expeditionary Strike Group deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2004, and a deployment to Southeast Asia in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2006. In addition, Hopper has been foremost in
3770-428: Was also refitted with the ability to operate a range of laser-guided bombs and, to enable the type to replace the retiring Étendard IV in the reconnaissance mission, the Super Étendard was fitted to carry a specialist reconnaissance pod as well. However, the aircraft is unable to perform naval landings without jettisoning unexpended ordnance. The Argentine Naval Aviation decided to buy 14 Super Étendards in 1979 after
3835-487: Was carrying several helicopters and other supplies to the front line. The Exocets that struck Atlantic Conveyor had been inadvertently redirected by decoy chaff deployed as a defensive measure by other ships; Both Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyor sank whilst under tow some days later following these Exocet strikes. On May 30 two Super Étendards, one carrying Argentina's last remaining Exocet, escorted by four A-4C Skyhawks each with 3 500lb bombs, took off to attack
3900-426: Was completed, the last delivery to the French Navy taking place that year. The Super Étendard is a small, single-engined, mid-winged aircraft with an all-metal structure. Both the wings and tailplane are swept, with the folding wings having a sweepback of about 45 degrees, while the aircraft is powered by a non-afterburning SNECMA Atar 8K-50 turbojet with a rating of 49 kN (11,025 lbf). Its performance
3965-400: Was made on 2 May 1982, but this was abandoned due to in-flight-refuelling problems. On 4 May, two Super Étendards, guided by a Lockheed P-2H Neptune , each launched one Exocet at the British destroyer HMS Sheffield , with one missile crippling Sheffield . On 25 May, another attack by two Super Étendards resulted in two missiles hitting the merchant ship Atlantic Conveyor , which
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#17327659950534030-407: Was not much better than the Étendard IV, but its avionics were significantly improved. The main new weapon of the Super Étendard was the French anti-shipping missile, the Aérospatiale AM 39 Exocet . The aircraft had a Thomson-CSF Agave radar, an updated version of the Cyrano IV used on the Dassault Mirage F1 , which, amongst other functions, was essential to launch the Exocet missile. One of
4095-734: Was reportedly shot down by a AIM-7E-2 missile fired by an Iranian F-4 Phantom II piloted by Khosrow Adibi over Kharg Island . Separately, on 26 July and 7 August 1984, claims of Super Étendard losses to Iranian Grumman F-14 Tomcats were reported. Iran claimed a total of three Super Étendards to have been shot down by Iranian interceptors ; France stated that four of the five leased aircraft were returned to France in 1985. Data from All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 ; General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Current squadrons USS Hopper USS Hopper (DDG-70)
4160-442: Was signed between Argentina and France to upgrade Argentina's remaining fleet of Super Étendards. An earlier proposal to acquire former French Naval Super Étendards was rejected due to high levels of accumulated flight hours; instead equipment and hardware would be removed from retiring French airframes and installed into Argentine aircraft, effectively upgrading them to the Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM) standard. By March 2014, while
4225-413: Was stationed at the Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego naval air base; during the conflict. The threat posed to British naval forces led to the planning of Operation Mikado and other proposed infiltration missions to raid the airbase, aiming to destroy the Super Étendards to prevent their use. A total of four Super Étendards were operational during the conflict. A first attempt to attack the British fleet
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