The Navy's farewell to the Super Etendard before the "All burst"

(B2) Sniff! The Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM), the mythical aircraft of the French Navy, will make its last public appearance at the air show in Biscarrosse (south of Bordeaux), next Sunday (May 22).

Last before the All Rafale Marine

After 37 years of operations around the world, the Super Etendard will indeed be withdrawn from active service in July. Naval aviation on-board fighters will then switch to “All Rafale Marine”. The symbol is " away “We assure on the side of the Royal. Biscarrosse is, in fact, the godmother town of Flotilla 17F, the last in naval aviation to use the mythical aircraft which has just accomplished its last operational mission aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

A simple evolution at the start

Originally, the Super Étendard was only to be an evolution of the Étendard IVM. But " the overhaul of the aircraft and its weapons system was so complete that the Super Étendard today hardly shares more than part of its name with the glorious ancestor. It was produced in 71 copies for the French Navy, between 1977 and 1983. It will take the name of Super Etendard Modernisé in 1986 after a modernization program.

of all operations

This aircraft was engaged in most of the international conflicts in which France took part: Agapanthus (in Afghanistan), Harmattan (in Libya, 2011) and Arromanches (in Iraq and Syria, in 2015 and 2016). NB: its name is also inseparable from its weapon par excellence, the missile AM39 Exocet, which wreaked havoc on the British Navy, in the conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom in the Falklands/Malvinas. 

Last meeting in Biscarosse

So... Don't miss this last meeting if you are in the South West! Two aircraft will perform aerial demonstrations. The pilots will also be available on the tarmac, to present the missions of the sailors of the sky and their flotilla.

(NGV)