The Dassault company designed a light transport aircraft in the late 1950s, designated MD.415 and later named Communauté, as a potential replacement for the Dassault MD 315 Flamant in its trainer, command transport or ambulance aircraft roles.

The Communauté was a cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear with room for two crew and up to ten passengers.

Powered by two wing-mounted Turbomeca Bastan turboprops, the prototype (F-WJDN) first flew on 10 May 1959.

[3] Retaining 90% commonality with the Communauté, the Spirale had all the windows removed and transparent nose panels added.

It also had provision for cannon or machine-gun armament and was fitted with under-wing hardpoints for weapons.