At the beginning of the 1960's The European Air-forces new they would soon need a new high performance jet trainer to train the next generation of fighter pilots on. The British and French joined together to create a new advanced trainer, the design however evolved into a full size strike fighter, the SEPECAT Jaguar. The need for a new trainer still existed so the French design team then joined forces with the Germans to design and build the Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet, it is interesting to note the similar appearance to the larger SEPECAT Jaguar. The British design team designed the BAe Hawk as it's solution to the oncoming jet trainer needs and
although entering the market slightly later than the Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet the BAe Hawk has been by far the most successful aircraft. |
Alpha Jet Specifications: - Crew: Pilot or pilot and trainee
- Length: 13.23 m (43 ft 4.9 in)
- Wingspan: 9.11 m (29 ft 11 in)
- Height: 4.19 m (13 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 17.5 m² (188.37 ft²)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,000 kg (17,600 lb)
- Engines: Twin 3,000 lbf (13.2 kN) SNECMA/Turbomeca Larzac 04-C6 turbofans
- Maximum speed: 994 km/h (621 mph)
- Range: 2,780 km (1,738 miles)
- Service ceiling: 13,700 m (50,000 ft)
Armament: - Single 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon
Maximum of 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) of external munitions including: - 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) of bombs
- Hunting BL755 cluster bombs
- AGM-65 Maverick
- AIM-9 Sidewinder
- Matra Magic II missiles
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