The Super Etendard transonic shipboard strike fighter was a progressive development of the Etendard IVM and was, in fact, 90%, having a more powerful turbojet, enhanced-capability equipment, improved aerodynamic features and revised structure. The first of three development aircraft (converted from Etendard IVM airframes) flew on 28 October 1974, and the first series Super Etendard for the Aeronavale flew on 24 November 1977, deliveries commencing on 28 June 1978. Powered by an 5000kg SNECMA Atar 8K-50 turbojet, the Super Etendard had a built-in armament of two 30mm cannon and various external ordnance loads on five stores stations, such as four 250kg or 400kg bombs and two Matra Magic AAMs, or four pods of 18 68mm rockets, or two AM 39 Exocet anti-shipping missiles. Fourteen were ordered by Argentina and the Super Etendard was employed operationally from shore bases in May 1982 during the Falklands conflict. Seventy-one Super Etendards were supplied to the Aeronavale, production terminating in 1983. The prototype of an upgraded version of the Super Etendard was flown on 5 October 1990, when it was proposed that a further 54 would be upgraded to similar standards (two by Dassault and 52 by Aeronavale's Cuers workshops) at a rate of 15 annually from 1992, to extend the service life of the Super Etendard to the year 2008. The upgrade programme included both airframe modifications and avionics updating.

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A three-view drawing (1658 x 1193)