SNCASE SE.212 Durandal

The first of two prototypes of the SNCASE (Sud-Est) SE.212 Durandal first flew on 20 April 1956. Powered by a jet and a rocket engine, the Durandal was intended to be a point defense interceptor. Despite its promising performance, only 45 test flights were made before the project was cancelled. Criticism of the design included the aircraft’s ability to only carry one missile (something that the Mirage I, which was developed into the Mirage III was also only capable of) and influence from the UK 1957 White Paper, that suggested future defense should concentrate on anti-aircraft missiles.