Morane-Saulnier AI

The Morane‑Saulnier AI was a French single‑seat fighter that entered service during the final months of World War I. Developed by the Morane‑Saulnier company as a successor to the earlier A series, the AI first flew in late 1917 and was delivered to the Aéronautique Militaire in early 1918. Powered by a Le Rhône 9J rotary engine delivering 110 hp, the aircraft featured a wooden frame with fabric covering, a 2‑meter wingspan and a streamlined fuselage that gave it a top speed of roughly 200 km/h. Its armament consisted of a single synchronized Vickers machine gun mounted on the fuselage, a common configuration for French fighters at the time. Although only a few hundred were built before the armistice, the AI demonstrated excellent climb performance and maneuverability, qualities that made it a favored platform for experienced pilots. The type also served as a bridge between wartime designs and the interwar development of monoplane fighters, influencing later Morane‑Saulnier models such as the MS.230 trainer. In aviation history, the AI is remembered for illustrating the rapid evolution of fighter technology during the closing stages of the Great War.

Morane-Saulnier

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Production & History

Design & Classification