Super Mystère

The Dassault Super Mystère was a pivotal French jet fighter that marked the nation's entry into the supersonic age. Developed from the earlier Mystère series, the aircraft made its maiden flight on 30 March 1954 and entered service with the French Air Force in 1955. Powered by a single Rolls‑Royce Avon (later the French‑built SNECMA Atar 101) turbo‑jet delivering roughly 7,200 lb of thrust, the Super Mystère could exceed Mach 1 in level flight, achieving a top speed of about 1,150 km/h (715 mph) at altitude. Its low‑wing, swept‑back design provided excellent maneuverability, while an all‑metal construction and robust landing gear suited both air‑to‑air and ground‑attack missions. Armament typically comprised two DEFA 30 mm cannons and a variety of rockets or bombs on underwing pylons. The aircraft saw combat during the Algerian War and later served with the Israeli Air Force, where it proved reliable in both dogfights and close‑air support. As the first operational French supersonic fighter, the Super Mystère laid the technological groundwork for the famed Mirage family, influencing aerodynamic and systems concepts that dominated NATO air power throughout the Cold War. Its legacy endures in modern Dassault designs, reflecting the innovative spirit of post‑war French aviation.

Dassault Aviation

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