ILLUSTRATED JAGUAR THE ANGLO-FRENCH FIGHTING FELINE Icons No 16 £7.95 ICONS 001 Jaguar.indd 1 10/11/2014 19:28 A L S ON O A V ICONS WI AI N L D A B O L W E S 8 Your favourite magazine is now available digitally. DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW FOR FREE. FREE APP IN APP ISSUES £6.99 SUBSCRIBE & SAVE 12 months £29.99 SEARCH: Aeroplane Icons Read on your iPhone & iPad Android PC & Mac kindle fi re Blackberry Windows 8 SEARCH SEARCH ALSO JETS AEROPLANE FREE APP FREE APP AAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE FFOORR IIINNN AAAPPPPPP IIISSSSSSUUUEEESSS £££333...999999 IIINNN AAAPPPPPP IIISSSSSSUUUEEESSS £££333...999999 DOWNLOAD How it Works. Simply download the Aeroplane Icons app. Once you have the app, you will be able to download new or back issues (from January 2012 onwards) for less than newsstand price or, alternatively, subscribe to save even more! Don’t forget to register for your Pocketmags account. This will protect your purchase in the event of a damaged or lost device. It will also allow you to view your purchases on multiple platforms. iTunes PC, Mac & Windows 8 Available on PC, Mac, Blackberry, Windows 8 and kindle fire from Requirements for app: registered iTunes account on Apple iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4S, 5, iPod Touch or iPad 1, 2 or 3. Internet connection required for initial download. Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of these titles are © copyright 2014. All rights reserved. App prices subject to change. 963/14 JAGUAR that same role can change quite signifi cantly but in reality it was slightly fl awed. Despite while the development process is taking this, the Jaguar became an aircraft that was place. However, it is far more unusual for the substantially diff erent to the machine that design of an aircraft to infl uence the very had fi rst been proposed, but it was one that role for which it is being developed. The proved itself to be ideally suited to the needs M odern combat aircraft are inevitably Jaguar was one such example of this process. of both countries that created it. Even with a designed in response to very Created primarily in response to a British background of politics and national specifi c requirements that are requirement for an advanced trainer, the self-interest, the Jaguar emerged as a identifi ed by the potential customer. Jaguar was built on politics, and the belief supremely capable warplane. It can take many years for a design to that a multi-national project would foster develop and mature into precisely the type good relations between nations and of aircraft that is best suited to the signifi cantly reduce the cost of design and Tim McLelland customer’s projected role, and sometimes manufacture. The concept seemed sound, Series Editor Acknowledgements: Thanks to the following individuals who For more than a century of aviation history provided generous assistance in the creation of this and for further titles in this series, visit publication: Radek Simecek (www.sepecat.info), Stuart Thurtle, Denis Calvert, Fred Martin, Godfrey Mangion, Richard Cooper, Simon Watson (www.avition-bookshop.com), Phil Child, and the staff of BAE’s Heritage department at Warton. Photo: Steve Screech Cover photo: Richard Cooper CONTENTS 1 FRANCE’S FELINE EMERGES 3 CROSS CHANNEL CAT 5 JAGUAR INTERNATIONAL Britain and France join forces to RAF Jaguars enter service and Export success continues and the create a collaborative combat aircraft export customers emerge RAF takes the Jaguar into confl ict 2 VIVE LE JAGUAR 6 FLYING THE JAGUAR The Jaguar enters service 4 JAGUAR UP CLOSE A typical Jaguar training mission as with the Armee de l’Air The Sepecat Jaguar in detail seen from the cockpit Aeroplane Icons: JAGUAR Editor Tim McLelland. Design and Layout Paul Silk. Publisher and Managing Director Adrian Cox. Executive Chairman Richard Cox. Commercial Director Ann Saundry. Distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd +44 (0)20 7429 4000. Printing Warners (Midlands) PLC, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH. ISBN 978-1-909786-17-2 All rights reserved. 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Website: www.keypublishing.com JAGUAR | 3 3 SF_editorial.indd 3 10/11/2014 22:21 France’s Feline emerges Britain and France join forces to create a collaborative combat aircraft Desert cat: Jaguar in its ultimate expression as an immensely capable warplane, loaded with weapons rails for free-fall and guided munitions, together with electronic counter measures, and self-protection aim-9 sidewinder missiles. (Photo: Tim McLelland collection) 4 Chapter One 4-21.indd 4 10/11/2014 19:29 JAGUAR FRANCE’S FELINE †ˆ The Breguet Br.1001 Taon was designed to meet a Nato requirement for a light strike fi ghter. It was unsuccessful, but the aircraft formed the EMERGES basis of subsequent designs that were explored by Breguet, eventually culminating in the Jaguar. Thus, the Jaguar’s true origins can be traced way back to 1953. (Photos: Tim McLelland collection) Unlike many of its warplane the concept of inter-operability between For the RAF, the Jaguar was originally conceived as a replacement for the Gnat trainer. The Gnat was an agile contemporaries, the Jaguar’s origins Nato member countries. The idea was machine but it was a demanding aircraft to fl y and far too cannot be traced to a single source. plausible, although it was fl awed. The idea small for many student pilots to comfortably fi t inside it. Jaguar was the result of two entirely separate was spawned by the knowledge that Warsaw The RAF also acknowledged that a bigger and faster programmes that were being developed by Pact countries were gradually standardizing trainer would be required to enable students to successfully transition onto modern combat aircraft. two very diff erent countries, in pursuance of on a small number of Soviet aircraft designs, (Photo: Aeroplane) two very diff erent requirements. The fi rst even though it must have seemed clear to seeds of what eventually became the Jaguar any observer that the ways in which Warsaw can be found in the late 1950s when Nato Pact countries operated their military air arms despite the shaky foundations on which it issued a requirement for a lightweight, could not be directly translated to Nato. It was issued, various designs were proposed single-seat attack fi ghter. This requirement didn’t take too long to illustrate that even for the Nato requirement, with one of the was based on a belief that Nato could under the protection of one very eff ective most promising designs eventually emerging standardize on a single aircraft design that defensive umbrella, every Nato country was from France. The Société des Ateliers would foster industrial co-operation, save a very diff erent to every other, with individual d’Aviation Louis Bréguet, better known as considerable amount of cost, and develop military, industrial and political agendas. But Breguet Aviation, was a famous and greatly ††† JAGUAR | 5 Chapter One 4-21.indd 5 10/11/2014 19:30 The Breguet Br.121 was the design on which the Jaguar was directly based. Developed from the Taon, the Br.121 was a larger, heavier and more sophisticated design. The Jaguar was developed from this design and many of the Br.121’s key features were carried-over to the Jaguar. (Photo: BAE Systems) Early French Jaguars nearing completion at Colomiers, Toulouse. In this partially- assembled configuration the single-seat Jaguar A illustrates more than a passing resemblance to its distant predecessor, the Breguet Taon. (Photo: BAE heritage) 6 Chapter One 4-21.indd 6 10/11/2014 19:41 jaguar The prototype jaguar pictures at Istres following re-assembly after being transported from Villacoublay. unusually, this first aircraft was twin-seat trainer (‘Ecole’) version, although France’s primary interest was in the single-seat strike/attack version that was to follow. (Photo: Aeroplane) respected company with an impressive track record for aircraft design and manufacture, stretching back to 1911. In response to the Nato requirement, they created the Br.1001 Taon, a small, swept-wing aircraft powered by a Rolls Royce Orpheus turbojet engine. Armed with Browning machine guns in its nose, the aircraft featured a uniquely strong landing gear assembly that would enable rough field operations to be undertaken if necessary, and with conventional design and construction, the Taon promised to be simple and inexpensive to operate. It made its first flight on 25 July 1957, but (not surprisingly) serious Nato interest in the aircraft failed to materialise. Ultimately, Nato officially selected the Italian G-91 and American F-5, jaguar prototype E.01 on the flight line at Istres, undergoing engine tests prior to its maiden flight. The undercarriage main although neither aircraft became the doors are extended for pre-flight access, and this view illustrates the huge one-piece door attached to the nose “standard” Nato aircraft that had been undercarriage bay. This was re-designed on subsequent aircraft as a two-piece structure. (Photo: Tim McLelland collection) envisaged. In fact, the Nato standardization concept never translated into reality. The proposed by competing manufacturer numbers of T-33 aircraft that were employed Taon design was finally declared redundant, Dassault, and once again the hapless Taon in the advanced jet training role, and by 1964 but Breguet had also identified an emerging was dismissed. the French Air Force had resolved to seek a French requirement for a new carrier-borne However, this wasn’t the end of the Taon single design to meet both requirements. In attack aircraft, and the Taon was design. Within just a couple of years the effect, it would be a tactical support fighter subsequently redesigned to meet this role. French Air Force was looking towards the with a secondary advanced training With two Turbomeca Gabizo engines and future. There was a clear need for a new capability, referred to as the “ECAT” (Ecole de better armament, the aircraft (Breguet aircraft to replace ageing F-100, Mystere and Combat et Appui Tactique), although this Br.1100) was offered to the French Navy, but F-84 aircraft that were then in front line convenient acronym didn’t truly reflect the the Aeronavale’s interest gradually shifted service. It also seemed likely that another Air Force’s main priority, which was for an towards the Etendard fighter that was design would be needed to replace the large attack aircraft rather than a trainer. In ††† jaguar | 7 Chapter One 4-21.indd 7 10/11/2014 19:41 response to this requirement Breguet nimble aircraft that was (at least technically- addition to this advanced trainer resurrected their Taon design, developing it speaking) ideal for the advanced training requirement, the RAF also identified a future into a bigger and more capable machine role. However, it was also a remarkably small requirement for a ground attack fighter to that eventually re-emerged as the Br.121. machine that was unable to carry any replace the Hunters that were then assigned With Rolls Royce RB.172 engines, good significant external stores (particularly guns, to that role. Like their French counterparts, armament and predictions of more than rockets and practice bombs). Just as the RAF quickly identified the similarities adequate speed and range, the aircraft was importantly, it had an extremely small and between the advanced trainer and ground superior to various other designs that were cramped cockpit that proved to be too small attack capabilities, and it didn’t take much submitted by competing French companies, for many of the RAF’s student pilots. imagination to see how an aircraft destined and this time the Breguet design was Consequently, a number of Hawker Hunter to replace the Gnat and Hunter trainers victorious, being selected for further aircraft had been introduced into the could also be designed to partially replace development early in 1965. advanced trainer role to supplement the the Hunter as a ground attack aircraft too Meanwhile, on the other side of the less-than ideal Gnats. This arrangement was (although the Harrier was of course also English Channel, the Royal Air Force was complicated but functional, although it developed for the attack role), and so the Air also looking at future requirements. The soon became obvious to the RAF’s Staff drew-up AST (Air Staff Target) 362 to RAF’s pilot training system had become a Commands that a new aircraft would be seek an aircraft to fulfil this combined rather complex system in which a variety of required for the advanced training role. It requirement. aircraft were utilised. Basic flying training would have to be bigger and more With these French and British was conducted in the Jet Provost, a simple powerful, capable of carrying a wide range requirements firmly in place, it was the and reliable aircraft that enabled fledgling of external stores, and capable of supersonic intervention of politics that eventually drew pilots to grasp the basic skills required to flight, so that the RAF could successfully the many issues together, resulting in the handle an aeroplane. For more advanced process students through the vitally creation of the Jaguar. Defence Minister training the Vampire had gradually been important transition from trainer aircraft Denis Healey became increasingly keen to replaced by the Folland Gnat, a fast and onto operational combat machines. In foster good industrial and military relations 8 Chapter One 4-21.indd 8 11/11/2014 08:05 JAGUAR with France, even though relations had unnecessary or unreasonably expensive. supplement to the anticipated F-111 fl eet become soured in 1963 when de Gaulle had The infamous 1957 Defence White paper for the RAF (although the F-111 purchase vetoed Britain’s application to join the EEC had seen may ambitious projects was also eventually cancelled when it too (European Economic Community), declaring abandoned, chiefl y because so much was judged to be too expensive and rather loftily that Britain was “not much any defence spending had to be devoted to inappropriate for the RAF’s projected more.” Perhaps in spite of this, Healey development of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. theatres of operation). On 17 May 1965, devoted a great deal of time towards his The monstrously expensive TSR2 Healey and Messmer signed a Memorandum relations with his French counterpart, Pierre programme had survived, but by the time of Understanding that covered two projects. Messmer and a number of potential joint that a new Labour government came into One was the AFVG, for which Britain would ventures were explored. Amongst these power late in 1964, it was already clear that have design lead, although the aircraft’s were the British and French requirements for TSR2 was running out of control. In April engines would be produced by SNECMA an advanced trainer and ground attack 1965 the Government decided to abandon (Société nationale d’études et de aircraft. Although the two nations ostensibly it, and Healey secured a very promising construction de moteurs d’aviation). The required substantially diff erent aircraft, their agreement to purchase the American F-111 other aircraft would be the advanced trainer secondary roles neatly matched the primary instead. However, Healey’s good relations and attack aircraft, for which France would roles of the other, therefore it seemed likely with France had already resulted in the have the design lead with its Breguet 121, that a single design could be produced that identifi cation of another potential Anglo- while its engines would be Rolls Royce/ would suit both parties. However, the RAF’s French design that could undertake the Turbomeca products. The agreement was future procurement programmes had been high-speed tactical strike role for which complicated and packed with breakage in a state of great uncertainty for some time. TSR2 had been (and F-111 was being) clauses, but both nations hailed it as a For many years there had been continual developed. This project (the Anglo French triumph of Anglo French co-operation. Roy political concern that far too many Variable Geometry aircraft) was therefore Jenkins described it as “the essential expensive programmes were being pursued pursued as both a successor to the foundation for the future of the British and that some of these were either abandoned TSR2 and as a projected aircraft industry”. Of course, it was a ††† The historic moment on 8 September 1968 as the fi rst Jaguar gets airborne on its maiden fl ight at Istres. Clearly visible is the port fairing for the aircraft’s internal gun, which has been faired over on this machine. The Jaguar’s original fi n structure can also be seen, this being replaced on later aircraft with the more familiar taller assembly that was adopted for production aircraft. Ahead of the engine air intake, a large air splitter plate is also visible. This was part of the aircraft’s initial design but this was also abandoned before the production-standard aircraft was fi nalized. (Photo: Dassault) JAGUAR | 9 Chapter One 4-21.indd 9 11/11/2014 08:06 Jaguar E.01 about to touch down at Istres at the end of its maiden flight, in the hands of Breguet’s test pilot Bernard Witt. This first flight lasted just 25 minutes and was completed without any incidents. The aircraft reached 17,000ft and Witt reported that the Jaguar flew “very well”. (Photo: Tim McLelland collection) agreement that was primarily based on political expediency rather that sound This in-flight view of the prototype Jaguar illustrates the metal strakes that were military thinking, but both the RAF and attached to the underside of the aircraft’s nose. Designed as an aerodynamic French Air Force were content to pursue the modification, the strakes were found to be unnecessary and they were removed after project, even if there was some doubt as to the initial test flights were completed. Also visible is an anti-spin parachute housing, the viability of creating an aircraft design that visible under the aircraft’s tail. (Photo: BAE Heritage) would be shared between two nations (during the 1960s, multi-national aircraft design was still a relatively new concept). From the outset it was agreed that the trainer would be produced under just two contracts, one covering the airframe and the other being applied to the engine. To produce the aircraft, a new company was established. The Société Européenne de Production de l’Avion d’École de Combat et d’Appui Tactique (or the “European company for the production of a combat trainer and tactical support aircraft”) was (for obvious reasons) reduced to the acronym SEPECAT. The UK’s British Aircraft Company (in effect the former English Electric Company which was now amalgamated with Vickers) and Breguet (now part of Dassault) acted as shareholders in the new body which was in effect a holding company with no dedicated split their order between 75 single seat attack for the Gnat was brewing up. The idea of permanent staff. Sepecat (or at least the aircraft (the ‘A’ or “Appui” model) and 75 ‘E’ or national collaboration in aerospace was very Breguet element of the company) quickly “Ecole” twin seat trainers. Conversely, the RAF popular. There was a lot of thought going on established that four prototype aircraft chose to order 150 ‘B’ (British) twin seat up at BAC Warton and the idea emerged that should be produced, all of which were to be trainers, their interest in any attack capability the new trainer would be a supersonic for the French Air Force’s requirements. Not having been pushed from the Air Staff’s aeroplane, achieving Mach 1.2 to Mach 1.3. surprisingly, British input swiftly revised this agenda for the time being, chiefly because Over in France, and simultaneously, there was proposal to include an additional two the Harrier was now under development and another requirement called ‘ECAT’ for a small machines based on RAF requirements, plus this aircraft seemed capable of meeting all of operational trainer with an additional role as yet another French aircraft, this one being the RAF’s ground attack capability a light attack aircraft. The ECAT competition designed to cater for the French Navy’s requirements. in France was won by Breguet, then under needs, as the Aeronavale had also been Jeffrey Quill (famous as the Spitfire’s test General Henri Zeigler, who later took over encouraged to participate in the project. A pilot) was Sales Director for Sepecat, and he Airbus Industrie. In Britain you couldn’t get a commitment was laid down for each country recalled how the Jaguar’s concept came into place like Warton drawing lines on bits of to order 150 aircraft, and France opted to being; “In Britain, the need for a replacement paper without them closely examining 10 Chapter One 4-21.indd 10 10/11/2014 19:44