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The Super Etendard, in service since 1978, is at present the spearhead of French shipborne naval aviation. It can operate from a land base or from an aircraft-carrier equipped with a catapult and arrester wires.

The Super Etendard, though belonging to an already dated generation, possesses numerous possibilities, and in standard 4 forms a versatile multi-function aircraft (excepted for air/air part which is not its specific mission), above all for daylight operational capabilities. It can carry out many mission: assault against the land, assault at sea, fire power support for troops on the ground and aerial interception. Its autonomy can be increased by carrying auxiliary fuel tanks. It is capable of nuclear missions. It can also carry out aerial reconnaissance missions

This aircraft has been used in combat under varied conditions: Lebanon, Ex-Yugoslavia,Afghanistan and also during the Falklands conflict, where the Argentinean Super Etendards demonstrated the quality of these aircraft. It also win fame lastly during "HERACLES" operations.

While awaiting its replacement by the standard F3 Rafale M from 2010, the Super Etendard has since the end of the 1980s undergone modernisation (radar, navigation and attack systems, ergonomics of the cockpit fittings). This modernisation has been extended with the upgrading to the different standards of development which have introduced the following functions: daytime laser designation (standard 3 in 1997) for the AS30L missiles; reconnaissance (daytime collection of tactical information) and improved self-protection system, extension of laser guidance to include 125 and 250 Kg bombs (standard 4 in 2000), and soon night operational functions (standard 5) including in particular night laser designation capability (in 2003). The production of the standard 5 is important for the cohesion of the naval air group based around the aircraft-carrier Charles de Gaulle.

The first four standard 4 aircraft with reconnaissance capacity were delivered to the Navy in the summer of 2000, in order to replace the Etendards IVP withdrawn from service.

The upgrading to standard 4 will finish in about 2006; the work is being undertaken during major maintenance visits to the Cuers Pierrefeu industrial workshops.

Following lessons from the recent Kosovo conflict, its operational capabilities will be strengthened for night operations, with the production of standard 5 which has been launched in 2003. The first standard 5 aircraft will start to be delivered at the end of 2006.

Moreover, an upgrading action of BARRACUDA jammer will allow to integer a new generation self-protection system to this aircraft.