Sepecat Jaguar GR.3, ©Dave Key
ROLE
Attack Aircraft.
FIRST FLIGHT
8 September 1968.
The Jaguar was originally designed as an advanced supersonic jet trainer to replace the Folland Gnat, the Hawker Hunter and also have light ground attack capabilities.
The Jaguar was designed by Sepecat as a joint venture between the British and the French to be used by the Royal Air Force and the Armee de l'air.
The first prototype was a 2-seat aircraft fitted with an Adour engine which first flew on the 8th of September 1968. On its third flight the prototype aircraft achieved supersonic flight; however, the aircraft was lost to an engine fire during landing on the 26th of March 1970.
A series of eight prototypes went on to be produced during the development of the Jaguar and its required role quickly changed from a jet trainer to reconnaissance, tactical strike and ground attack.
A carrier based aircraft was also considered for the French service but after evaluation this variant was cancelled in favour of the Dassault Super Etendard.
The Jaguar was developed as a single-seat, swept wing, twin engine aircraft capable of a maximum take-off weight of 34,612lb with a combat radius of 530 miles. The Jaguar has hard points for up to a load of 10,000lb to fit weapons such as Rocket pods, 100mm bombs, anti-air missiles, Sidewinders and cluster bombs.
After further development the Jaguar was also equipped with two DEFA or Aden cannons and was capable of having over-wing pylons fitted for short-range air-to-air missiles.
The Jaguar is powered by two Rolls Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofan engines with afterburners which were developed primarily for the aircraft. The Jaguar was designed with ease of maintenance in mind and it was possible to change an engine in just 30 minutes.
PRODUCTION
The Sepecat Jaguar was produced from 1968 to 1981, with 543 built.
ENGINES
2 x Turbomeca Adour turbofan’s, producing 10,300lbf*.
*14,610lbf with afterburner.
ARMAMENT
2 x Aden 30mm cannon
10,000 lb (4,540 kg) Bomb/Rocket/Missile load
During the Gulf War, the Jaguar proved to be mechanically more reliable than the Panavia Tornado, however, the avionics were less than satisfactory and proved a hindrance to conducting missions.
Even with its avionic shortcomings the Jaguar proved a valuable aircraft during the conflict with the RAF flying 612 combat sorties with no loses; however, significant changes were made during and after the conflict.
The Jaguar did not see service in the Iraq War due to refusal by Turkey to use their airbases and due to planned defence cuts plans were made in 2004 to withdraw the Jaguar by 2007.
The last British Military flight by a Jaguar took place on the 20th of December 2007.
| Crew - 1 or 2 (in tandem) |
| Length - 55ft 3in (16.83m) |
| Wingspan - 28ft 6in (8.69m) |
| Height - 16ft 1in (4.89m) |
| Empty Weight - 16,975lb (7,700kg) |
| Max. Weight - 34,612lb (15,700kg) |
| Max. Speed - 1,062 mph (1,700 km/h) |
| Range - 2,203 miles (3,525 km) |
