Nieuport-Saulnier Aquilon

The Aquilon was introduced to replace the Mystère as primary fleet defense fighter. The Aquilon was developed in conjunction with the smaller Rapace attack fighter and as a result shares many similarities. The primary features of the Aquilon, it's long range radar, two place crew, and variable gemoetry wings however make it a distinct aircraft.

Development
Development began in the mid 1960s to provide future replacement for the then new Mystère fleet defense fighter.

Early Development

The roots of what would become the Aquilina began with experimental projects starting in 1962 to improve or replace the then-new Mystère fleet defense fighter. A series of five prototype series known as Super Mystère I-V laid the groundwork for the Future Fleet Defense Fighter program which was officially begun in June of 1972. The Super Mystère program is discussed in more detail in the Mystère article, but of note here are Super Mystère III and Super Mystère IV which trialed long range missiles that would be employed as the R-4, and variable sweep wings. When the Future Fleet Defense Fighter program was launched, range, flight characteristics, and loiter time specifications all but dictated the use of variable sweep wings, and because of this the Super Mystère IV development aircraft was taken as the initial model for development.

Armament
Armament consists of a single with 180 rounds firing from under the port side air intake. Hardpoints aside each intake, commonly referred to as "cheek pylons" allow carriage of up to four short range air to air missiles. From the C3 on these are exclusively the R8 missile. In addition, recessed hardpoints for six R5 BVRAAMs are placed along the underside of the fuselage. In addition, plumbed hardpoints under each wing glove is intended to accept a wet pylon and 1,200L drop tank. In the C1 and C2 models the proximity of these pylons to the main landing gear allowed only the use of the 1,200L drop tank or a single R5 or R4 missile. The C3 variant introduced an offset pylon design which allows the carriage of the 2,200L drop tank and provides a single launch rail for an R8 missile. The C3 variant is thus capable of flying with an additional 4,400L of fuel, six R8 missiles, and six R5 BVRAAMs.

The C1 and C2 variants could carry six R5 missiles under the fuselage, or pylons for four R4 missiles. In addition either a 1,200L drop tank or one R4 or R5 missile under each wing glove, and four R3 dogfight missiles on the cheek pylons.

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