Alpha Jet Initial Operational Capability (IOC): 1978 Total Production: 500 Also Known As:Alpha Jet A, Alpha Jet ATS, Alpha Jet E and Alpha Jet NGEA Origin:France and Germany Corporations: Airbus Group and Dassault-Aviation
Description: Alpha Jet is a twin-engine, two seats, subsonic trainer developed between France and Germany as a replacement for Magisters and G91s in their respective Air Forces. The French Alpha Jet variant, also known as Alpha Jet E, was intended to provide advanced training for combat aircraft crews. Germany's aircraft were intended for both close air support (CAS) to ground forces and advanced training. German Alpha Jets were designated Alpha Jet A. Both models were powered by two Larzac turbofan engines each rated at 3,175 pounds of thrust.
The majority of export aircraft were outfitted like French Alpha Jet E models. The German Alpha Jet A variant features a comprehensive navigation/attack suite and a weapons package including a 27mm or 30mm cannon, bombs, rockets, AIM-9 air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile. In the 1980s appeared an improved variant called the Alpha Jet NGEA equipped with new avionics and compatibility with Matra Magic air-to-air missiles. This variant was sold to Egypt and Cameroon. Introduced in the 1990s, Alpha Jet ATS is the latest variant equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, radar and FLIR.
In the 1990s Germany retired its Alpha Jet aircraft from service and sold them to Portugal, Greece, UK and Thailand. France continues to operate Alpha Jets but they are expected to be replaced by a new advanced trainer in the upcoming decade.
Alpha Jet Specifications
Crew: 2
Number of Engines: 2 Dimensions Height: 4.20 meter (13.8 foot)
Length: 12.3 meter (40 foot)
Main Gun Caliber: 30 millimeter
Wingspan: 9.10 meter (29.9 foot) Performance Ceiling: 13,000 meter (42,651 foot)
Max Range: 2,600 kilometer (1,404 nautical mile) Speed Top Speed at High Altitude: 266 mps (958 kph) Weight Max Takeoff Thrust: 6,350 pound (2,880 kilogram)
Max Takeoff Weight: 8,000 kilogram (17,637 pound)
Payload: 2,200 kilogram (4,850 pound)
CEP: Circular Error Probable
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