First flight of the Alpha Jet in 1973

On this day, in 1973, the Alpha Jet made its first flight at Istres, with Jean-Marie Saget at the controls.

This training and tactical-support twin-jet tandem two-seater was designed for a program jointly run by France’s and Germany’s air forces.

It was the first aircraft produced conjointly by Dassault and Breguet. Planned to succeed the Fouga Magister and the Lockheed T 33, it was undertaken in cooperation with the German Dornier Corporation. Specifications were changed during the development.

On April 1971, the program was the following:

• a French training version, as simple as possible ;
• a German close air support and battlefield reconnaissance version, with the extra cost being borne by the German government.