SEPECAT Jaguar
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
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| SEPECAT Jaguar | ||
|---|---|---|
 RAF Jaguar GR3A XX970/EH from 6 Squadron | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Trainer/Strike/Reconnaissance | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| First Flight | 8 September 1968 | |
| Entered Service | 1973 | |
| Number built | 573 | |
| Manufacturer | SEPECAT | |
| Jaguar | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 17.53 m | 57 ft 6.25 in |
| Wingspan | 8.69 m | 28 ft 6 in |
| Height | 4.89 m | 16 ft 0.5 in |
| Wing area | 24.18 m² | 260.27 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 7,000 kg | 15,432 lb |
| Loaded | kg | lb |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 15,700 kg | 34,612 lb |
| Capacity | yourcapacity | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | two Rolls-Royce Adour turbofan engines | |
| Thrust | kN (each) | lbf (each) |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 1,593 km/h | 990 mph |
| Operational range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | m | ft |
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | youravio | |
| Armament | ||
| Armament | yourarma | |
Contents |
History
The SEPECAT Jaguar was born out of Britain's need for an advanced supersonic jet trainer to replace the Hawker Hunter and from France's requirement for a dual role trainer/attack aircraft. The first aircraft, E-01, was produced at Velizy-Villacoublay on 17 April 1968. This particular aircraft was the first Jaguar to be flown, at Istres, on 8 September 1968. Unfortunately E-01 crashed on 26 March 1970. A-01 was the first single-seat aircraft to be flown on 29 March 1969. The first naval prototype, M-05, flew at Istres on 14 November 1969. Britain's first prototype, S-06 (XW560), rolled out of Warton on 18 August 1969 and made its inaugural flight on 12 October 1969. This aircraft was later destroyed by fire at Boscombe Down on 11 August 1972. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) license produced Jaguars for the Indian Air Force. The French Air Force operated the Jaguar within two wings, EC7 at St. Dizier and EC11 at Toul-Rosieres. The country withdrew the Jaguar from operational service on 1 July 2005. The RAF ceased operational flying of the Jaguar on 30 April 2007.
Versions
- Jaguar A: French single-seat version. Can be fitted with Thales Barem jammer.
- Jaguar E: French two-seat trainer.
- Jaguar M: Initially developed as a single-seat carrier-based aircraft for the French Navy. It was later dropped in favour of the Dassault Super Etendard.
- Jaguar GR1: Single-seat version for the RAF. Originally designated Jaguar S.
- Jaguar GR1A: Modified GR1 version with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and new computers. Delivered to the Royal Air Force from 1983
- Jaguar GR1B: Ten GR1As were upgraded to operate the TIALD pod and designated GR1B
- Jaguar GR3: Jaguar GR1A and GR1Bs were put through another modification program making them GR3s (designated Jaguar 96 earlier). The modification included the upgrade to carry the TIALD pod (see Jaguar GR1B), installing a new Head Up Display (HUD), a Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) system and a Rockwell Collins GPS system that was connected to the navigation system. The first GR3 was delivered to the RAF in 1997.
- Jaguar GR3A: A modification seen as the follow-up of the Jaguar 96 modification and therefore also called Jaguar 97 and came into effect from 2000. Modifications included installing a multifunctional colour display, a new mission planning system and the cockpit was prepared for Night Vision Goggles (NVG) operations.
- Jaguar T2: The RAF's two-seat trainer. Originally designated Jaguar B.
- Jaguar T2A: Modified T2 version, similar changes to the original version as with the GR1A vs GR1
- Jaguar T2B: Two T2As were upgraded to operate the TIALD pod and designated T2B
- Jaguar T4: Jaguar T2As that were (partially) put through the Jaguar 96 and 97 program were designated T4 afterwards.
Export Jaguars, known formally as Jaguar International, were based on the British Jaguar S and B and a country-related letter is added to define the type (Ecuador: Jaguar ES/EB, Oman: Jaguar OS/OB, Nigeria: SN/BN). India operates, besides the Jaguar IS and IB a Jaguar IM. This Jaguar IM is a single-seat aircracft modified for anti-shipping warfare. It carries the Agave-radar and can carry the BAe Sea Eagle.
Upgrades
Jaguar 96/97
The Jaguar 96 modification allowed the Jaguar to carry the TIALD pod (see Jaguar GR1B), installed a new Head Up Display (HUD), a Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) system and a Rockwell Collins GPS system that was connected to the navigation system. The Jaguar 97 included installing a multifunctional colour display, a new mission planning system and the cockpit was prepared for Night Vision Goggles (NVG) operations.
DARIN
HAL is upgrading India Air Force Jaguars. The most recent upgrade is the DARINIII (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation III), covering upgraded navigation and electronic warfare systems and allowing delivery of GPS guided munitions.
Jaguar IM
HAL also retrofitted six Jaguars with DARIN and Thomson-CSF Agave radar for maritime attack, this variant was named as Jaguar IM.
F125 engine
Honeywell has been asked by India to quote for the supply of 270 F125IN turbofan engines to replace the twin Adour Mk821s on India’s 125-strong fleet of Jaguar strike aircraft. The F125IN is 600 pounds lighter than the Adour and is expected to enable 25-percent-shorter hot-and-high takeoffs. India’s Jaguars have become overweight and underpowered as a result of avionics and systems upgrades.
Operators
- Ecuador Air Force (10 single-seat, 2 two-seat)
- French Air Force (160 single-seat, 40 two-seat)
- Indian Air Force
- Nigerian Air Force (13 single-seat, 5 two-seat)
- Royal Air Force of Oman (20 single-seat, 4 two-seat)
- Royal Air Force (165 single-seat, 38 two-seat)
Images
 A139/11-RC Jaguar A of French Air Force |
