SEPECAT Jaguar – Jet Trainer turned Nuclear Attacker

The SEPECAT Jaguar is a British-French jet trainer and bomber aircraft. It was originally developed in the early 1970s as a joint venture between the British and French governments to meet the needs of both their air forces. The plane was developed to replace fast jet trainers such as the Folland Gnat and Hawker Hunter and bomber aircraft such as the Blackburn Buccaneer. The plane was designed to be a two-seat, twin-engine plane and was powered by two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofan engines. The plane had a maximum speed of Mach 1.2 and was capable of carrying a variety of weapons, including nuclear bombs.

The plane proved to be an extremely successful aircraft, with over 700 being produced by both the French and British air forces. The plane was used by both countries for training, reconnaissance, and combat missions. It was also used in the Gulf War, where it was used to deliver a wide variety of weapons.

In the late 1980s, the British Royal Air Force began to upgrade the plane to be able to carry nuclear weapons. The plane was fitted with a nuclear bomb rack, and the plane was capable of carrying a single nuclear bomb. This capability was never used, however, and the plane only served in its original role as a fighter and trainer.

The SEPECAT Jaguar is an iconic aircraft and has earned its place in history. It was a versatile aircraft, capable of performing a variety of roles, from training to combat. Its ability to carry nuclear weapons makes it a unique and intriguing aircraft. The plane is still in service today with both the British and French air forces and is still being used for training and combat missions.