Starting development in 1957, the CT.41 used a canard configuration, with a short, straight wing located at mid-fuselage with wingtip-mounted ramjet engines.

[3] Command guidance was used for control; the aircraft could be fitted with electronic enhancers and flares to boost its target signature.

[3] The CT.41 began test flights during 1959,[2] with production starting later that year; 62 aircraft were constructed for use by the French Air Force.

They had only a brief service life before being retired due to being too fast to provide practical training for interceptor pilots.

[3] Data from Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles (2003)[1][3]General characteristics Performance