Alpha Jet

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.