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Aviation History
1959
1959 - 0619.PDF
?7 trhruarv 1959 NATO choice highlights ORPHEUS ORPHEUS-POWERED FIAT G 91 CHOSEN FOR LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION As a result of the 1957 Bretigny trials, the Fiat G 91, powered by the 5,000-lb thrust Orpheus 803 turbojet, was unanimously recommended for immediate production as the standard NATO lightweight tactical fighter for the operational squadrons deployed in defence of Europe. Another Orpheus-powered aircraft, a developed version of the Breguet 1001 Taon which took part in the trials, was recommended as the second generation lightweight tactical fighter. Of the ten design proposals originally submitted to NATO for this role, nine were powered by the Orpheus, which was developed with the support of the US Mutual Weapons Development Team for this purpose. The Fiat G 91 squadron already in service, is being evaluated by NATO. Orders for large numbers of the aircraft have been placed by Italy, implementing the NATO decision, while Germany, France, Greece and Turkey are expected to follow suit shortly. Besides large-scale production at Bristol, the Orpheus turbojet is licensed for building in Italy, Germany and France for the NATO defence programme, and in addition is being produced in India for the Folland Gnat. Continued development, many roles More advanced Orpheus versions are well under way. These are not only being developed to higher powers for advanced strike aircraft and fighters, but are also being specifically developed for trainers and medium-size civil aircraft. The immense future potential of the Orpheus becomes ever more apparent. Bristol Siddeley ENGINES LIMITED
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