Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000
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| Mirage 2000 | |
|---|---|
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| Mirage 2000-5 at the 2005 Paris Air Show | |
| Type | Multirole fighter |
| Manufacturer | Dassault-Breguet |
| Maiden flight | 1978-03-10 |
| Introduced | June 1984 |
| Primary users |  French Air Force Indian Air Force UAE Air Force ROC Air Force Hellenic Air Force |
| Unit cost | US$23 million |
The Mirage 2000 is a French-built multirole fighter jet manufactured by Dassault Aviation.
Contents |
[edit] Development and history
The Mirage 2000 was developed by Dassault-Breguet for the Armée de l'Air as an alternative to the swing-wing Avion de Combat Futur. After the latter was cancelled in 1975 due to its growing cost and complexity, Dassault offered the Mirage 2000 as an alternative. Development of this aircraft would also give the company a competitor to the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, which had defeated the Dassault Mirage F1 in a contest for a new fighter for the air forces of Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and Norway.
The prototype made its first flight in March 10, 1978 with test pilot Jean Coreau at the controls. The first production example flew in November 20, 1982 and the aircraft went into operational service in 1984.
[edit] Characteristics
Using the concept of the delta-wing interceptor seen on the classic Mirage III, Dassault built a new design but still using a delta wing. This configuration is not ideal with regard to maneuverability, low-altitude flight, and distance required for take-off and landing, but has advantages in high-speed flight characteristics, simplicity of construction, low radar signature and internal volume.
[edit] Design features
- Low-set thin delta wing with cambered section, 58 degrees leading-edge sweep and moderately blended root; area-ruled; capable of carrying four air-to-air missiles.
- The aircraft's center of lift was moved in front of its center of gravity, giving the fighter a degree of instability that enhances maneuverability.
- A runway arresting hook or fairing for a brake parachute can be fitted under the tail. The landing roll was reduced by robust carbon brakes. The backward-retracting, steerable nose gear features dual wheels, while the main gear features single wheels and retracts inward into the wings.
- An airbrake is fitted on top of each wing in an arrangement very similar to that of the Mirage III. A noticeably taller tailfin allows the pilot to retain control at higher angles of attack, assisted by small strakes mounted along each air intake.
[edit] Structure
Multi-spar metal wing; elevons have carbon-fiber skins with AG5 light alloy honeycomb cores; carbon-fiber/light alloy honeycomb panel covers avionics bay; most of the tailfin and all of the rudder are skinned with boron/epoxy/carbon; the rudder has a light alloy honeycomb core.
[edit] Flight control system
The aircraft has a redundant fly-by-wire automatic flight control system, providing a high degree of agility and easier handling.
[edit] Landing gear
The aircraft uses a retractable tricycle type landing gear by Messier-Bugatti, with twin nosewheels and a single wheel on each main gear. Hydraulic retraction, nosewheels rearward, main units inward. Oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers. Electrohydraulic nosewheel steering (+/-45 degrees). Manual disconnect permits nosewheel unit to caster through 360 degrees for ground towing].
[edit] Cockpit
The fighter is available as a single-seat or two-seat multi-role fighter. The aircraft has hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) control. The pilot sits on an SEMB Mark 10 zero-zero ejection seat, a license-built version of the British Martin-Baker Mark 10.
The instrument panel is dominated by a Heads Up Display (HUD) with the VMC 180 radar screen located centrally below it. To the lower left is a stores management panel. Above the stores management panel are the navigation instruments and altimeter. The right half of the instrument panel houses the engine and systems displays. Located on the left side of the cockpit, just ahead of the throttle, are controls for the communications equipment, including the Have Quick secure radio.
[edit] Avionics
Standard avionics for the Mirage-2000B/C include:
- Sagem ULISS 52 inertial navigation system (INS), TRT radio altimeter.
- Sextant TMV-980 data display system (VE-130 head-up and VMC-180 head-down) (two head-down in 2000N/D). The combined head-up/head-level display is collimated at infinity, and presents data relating to flight control, navigation, target engagement and weapon firing. Sensor and system management data is presented on two colored lateral displays.
- Dassault Electronique Type 2084 central digital computer, Digibus digital databus (2084 XR in 2000D) and Sextant Avionique Type 90 air data computer.
- LMT NRAI-7A IFF transponder, IO-300-A marker beacon receiver, TRT ERA 7000 V/UHF com transceiver, TRT ERA 7200 UHF or EAS secure voice communications.
[edit] Radar
- Thomson-CSF RDM multi-mode radar or Dassault Electronique/Thomson-CSF RDI pulse-Doppler radar for Mirage 2000C/D, each with operating range of 54 nm (100 km / 62 miles).
- Dassault/Thales Antilope 5 Radar with terrain avoidance capability for Mirage 2000N Nuclear Strike variant.
- The Thales multimode RDY (Radar Doppler Multitarget) developed for Mirage 2000-5.
[edit] Countermeasures
- Thales Serval Radar warning receiver (RWR) with antennas on the wingtips and on the rear of the top of the tailfin.
- Dassault Sabre RF jammer in a pod below the bottom of the tailfin, with an antenna in a fairing on the front of the tailfin.
- Dassault Eclair dispenser system under the tail. This was eventually replaced by a pair of Matra Spirale dispensers, one fitted on an extension behind the rear of each wingroot, giving a total capacity of 224 cartridges.
[edit] Engines
The Mirage 2000 is equipped with an SNECMA M53-5 or SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan engine according to the different Mirage 2000 versions, which provides 64 kN of thrust dry and 98 kN in afterburner. The air intakes are fitted with an adjustable half-cone-shaped centerbody, which provides an inclined shock of air pressure for highly efficient air intake. Total internal fuel capacity is 3978 liters in Mirage 2000C and E, and 3904 liters in Mirage 2000B, N, D and S. There are also provisions for a jettisonable 1300-liter centerline fuselage fuel tank and for a 1700-litre drop tank under each wing.
[edit] Armament and payload
The Mirage 2000 can carry up to 6.3 tons (13,900 lb) of stores on nine pylons, with two pylons on each wing and five under the fuselage. A fixed removable refuelling probe can be attached in front of the cockpit, offset slightly to the right of center.
Primary armament of the Mirage 2000 includes:
- Matra Super 530 medium-range semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile on the inboard wing pylons.
- Matra Magic short-range infrared-seeking AAM on the outboard wing pylons.
- The Mirage 2000C can carry air-to-ground stores such as the Matra 68 mm rocket pods, iron bombs, and cluster bombs.
Built-in armament consisted of twin DEFA 554 (now GIAT 30-550 F4) 30 mm revolver-type cannons with 125 rounds each. The cannons have selectable fire rates of 1,200 or 1,800 rounds per minute.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Mirage 2000C
The first Mirage 2000 to go into service was the single-seat Mirage 2000C interceptor. There were four single-seat prototypes, including the initial Mirage 2000 prototype. The first production Mirage 2000C flew in November 1982. Deliveries began in 1983. The first operational squadron was formed in 1984, the 50th anniversary of the French Armée de l'Air (AdA). A total of 124 Mirage-2000Cs were obtained by the AdA.
The first 37 Mirage 2000Cs delivered were fitted with the Thompson-CSF RDM (Radar Doppler Multifunction) and were powered by the SNECMA M53-5 turbofan engine. The 38th Mirage 2000C had an upgraded SNECMA M53-5 P2 turbofan engine. The Radar Doppler Impulse (RDI) built by Thales did not enter service until 1987.
Latest upgrades include:
- Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NTCR) mode in RDI Radar allows identification of airborne targets not responding on IFF.
- Integration with the new Matra MICA (Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Autodefense) IR heat-seeking missile. The radar-guided version of the MICA will not be able to support earlier versions of the Mirage 2000.
[edit] Mirage 2000B
The Mirage 2000B is two-seat operational conversion trainer variant which performed its initial flight on October 11, 1980. The AdA acquired 30 Mirage 2000Bs, with all three of the AdA fighter wings obtaining a few each for conversion training.
[edit] Mirage 2000N
The Mirage 2000N is the nuclear strike variant which was intended to carry the Aerospatiale Air-Sol Moyenne Portee (ASMP) nuclear stand-off missile. Initial flight tests of two prototypes began on February 3, 1983, and the Mirage 2000N entered operational dervice in 1988. A total of 75 were built.
The fighter had strengthened wings for low-altitude operations, as well as low-level precision navigation/attack systems, built around the Dassault/Thales Antilope 5 radar, which was designed for the strike role and featured a terrain-avoidance capability.
The ASMP missile is 5.38 meters long with a kerosene-powered ramjet that allows it to cruise at Mach 3 to a maximum range of 100 km carrying a nuclear warhead with a yield of 300 kT.
Upgrades:
- The existing kit was enhanced to provide an electronic intelligence (ELINT) capability, allowing the aircraft to record data on adversary emitters for post-flight intelligence analysis.
- A SAT Samir "Detecteur de Depart Missile (DDM)" missile-warning system was also added, being attached to the back of the Magic AAM pylons.
- Future updgrades include the addition of a Pod Reco NG (Pod de Reconnaissance Nouvelle Generation) to provide digital reconnaissance capabilities, with both day and night imagers, a digital data recorder system, and a datalink to provide real-time relay of imagery to battlefield commanders. It is being developed by Thales for service introduction in 2006.
Aircraft with the updated countermeasures system and capable of carrying both the ASMP-A missile and the Pod Reco NG will be redesignated "Mirage 2000N-K3".
[edit] Mirage 2000D
The Mirage 2000D is a dedicated conventional attack variant developed from the Mirage 2000N. Initial flight of the Mirage 2000D prototype, a modified Mirage 2000N prototype, was on February 19, 1991. The first flight of a production aircraft occurred March 31, 1993, and service introduction followed in April 1995. A total of 86 were built.
Features:
- NVG-compatible cockpit with improved HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) controls.
- Modernized navigation system with GPS capability.
- An updated ICMS 2 countermeasures system, with Serval RWR, Chameleon jammer, and Spirale dispensers.
Armaments Include:
- All major "dumb" munitions such as iron bombs, cluster bombs, rocket pods, and cannon pods.
- Laser-guided weapons such as the AS-30L missile or French/U.S. LGBs, with the munitions directed by an ATLIS II or improved optical-infrared PDLCT and high-resolution PDLCTS targeting pods.
- Armat anti-radar missile.
- Optional carriage and targeting of Exocet missile.
Upgrades:
The first upgraded Mirage 2000D-R2 machine was delivered in 2001. It has an enhanced countermeasures suite, which noticeably featurs twin 24-shot flare dispensers on each side of the spine at the front of the tailfin.
Further enhancements include carriage of the Apache and SCALP-EG cruise missiles, as well as carriage of the new low-cost AASM family of modular precision-guided bombs. The AdA would also like to add a Link-16 Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS) datalink and a SATURN (Second-generation Anti-Jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO) encrypted radio.
[edit] Mirage 2000-5
By the late 1980s, the Mirage 2000 was beginning to age compared with the latest models of U.S. F-16 fighters, so Thompson-CSF began work on a privately funded update of the Mirage 2000C which was to be named the Mirage 2000-5. A two-seat Mirage 2000B prototype was extensively modified as the first Mirage 2000-5 prototype, and it first flew on October 24, 1990. A Mirage 2000C prototype was then reworked to a similar standard, making its initial flight on April 27, 1991.
Features:
- The Thales multimode RDY (Radar Doppler Multitarget). The RDY radar is the heart of the upgrade, providing true multitarget tracking. It can simultaneously detect up to 24 targets and track the eight highest-priority threats while guiding four MICA EMs to different targets simultaneously.
- The updated ICMS 2 countermeasures suite and the Samir DDM missile warning system. ICMS 2 incorporates a receiver and associated signal processing system in the nose for detection of hostile missile command data links. The aircraft’s self-protection equipment can be interfaced to a new programmable mission-planning and post-mission analysis ground system.
- A new glass cockpit layout borrowed from the Rafale program with three-color MFDs, a dual-linked wide-angle HUD / head-level display, and HOTAS controls. The cockpit is NVG-compatible.
- Targeting systems included the Thales TV/CT CLDP laser designation pod which provides the capability to fire laser-guided weapons by day and night.
- A two-seater version was developed as well. The back-seater has the HUD but not the associated head-level display, and as with first-generation two-seaters, there are no built-in cannon (although cannon pods can be carried).
- The Mirage 2000-5 can also carry the oversized drop tanks developed for the Mirage 2000N, greatly extending its range.
In 1993, the AdA decided to upgrade 37 of their existing Mirage 2000s to the 2000-5 specification as a stopgap before the arrival of the Rafale in AdA service. The upgraded aircraft were redesignated Mirage 2000-5F, and became operational in 2000. They retained the old countermeasures system with the Serval/Sabre/Spirale units and did not receive the ICMS 2 system.
The AdA is now considering upgrades for the type, including the MIDS datalink, MICA IR support, and the Thales Topsight helmet-mounted display / sighting system.
[edit] Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2
Dassault extended the improvements of the Mirage 2000-5 a bit further with the Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2, which is an enhanced, fully multirole version of the Mirage 2000-5. It is currently the most advanced version of the Mirage 2000.
Features:
- Thales RDY-2 radar. The RDY-2 radar is similar in configuration to the original RDY, but features two new air-to-ground modes, including a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging mode with a moving target indicator (MTI) capability to provide an all-weather, day/night targeting capability. The radar features low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) operation, with the output pattern varying in a seemingly random pattern that prevents an adversary RWR from recognizing that it has been targeted.
- The high-power Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU) designed for the Rafale.
- A new Thales Totem 3000 INS with ring-laser gyros and GPS capability, providing much greater accuracy, higher reliability, and shorter alignment time replaces the older ULISS 52 system. It works in conjunction with a terrain-following system.
- An improved, classified ICMS 3 digital countermeasures suite.
- An on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS).
- The cockpit was updated as well, retaining the same general layout but with larger color displays and other modernizations. The Thales Topsight helmet-mounted display / sighting system is offered as an option.
- The Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2 includes a datalink for the targeting of MICA ER missiles and can carry the Damocles targeting pod.
- Future Upgrades: Thales AIDA visual identification pod; technology used in the Rafale will be also integrated into the Mirage 2000, including infrared and optical sensors for IFF and targeting. It will be used by AdA Mirage 2000-5Fs. Further development of the second-generation type is expected to include a GPS receiver, MIDS datalink, and unspecified long-range sensors.
[edit] Topsight E helmet-mounted sight
Topsight E displays critical information, protects the pilot, and provides communications. In the display of critical information, Topsight E has three main functions:
- Visual target designation by transmitting the target’s line of sight to the nav/attack system. Used with modern missiles, Topsight allows pilots to perform wide off-boresight target designation.
- Visual target acquisition using reverse cueing mode where the display symbology guides the pilot’s eyes to the target tracked by the aircraft sensors. The nav/attack system provides spatial data.
- Situational awareness based on concise display of vital information (tactical, navigation, safety, etc.).
Topsight E has four integrated operational modes:
- Navigation is based on ring laser gyro INS with embedded GPS receiver.
- Air-to-air weapon delivery includes guns, rockets and high- and low-drag bombs, using continuous computation of impact point (CCIP) and continuous computation of release point (CCRP).
- Training includes failure simulations, as well as target and threat simulations.
- The Topflight avionics suite features a full glass cockpit and HOTAS control, plus a range of avionics, linked to a 1553 multiplex bus.
[edit] Mirage 2000E
"Mirage 2000E" was a blanket designation for a series of export variants of the Mirage 2000. These aircraft were fitted the M53-P2 engine and an enhanced "RDM+" radar, and all can carry the day-only ATLIS II laser targeting pod.
[edit] Mirage 2000M (Egypt)
Egypt was the first foreign buyer, ordering 16 single-seat Mirage 2000M and four Mirage 2000BM trainers in late 1981, with deliveries beginning in 1986. The Egyptians also purchased ATLIS II pods and a wide range of appropriate munitions, including Magic and Super 530 AAMs, AS-30L laser-guided ASMs, and Armat anti-radiation missiles.
[edit] Mirage 2000H (India)
India is a major user of the Mirage 2000, having acquired a total of 49 examples, including 42 single-seaters and 7 Mirage two-seaters. The IAF named the Mirage Vajra (Thunderbolt). India also purchased appropriate stores along with the fighters, including ATLIS II pods and laser-guided weapons.
- Since India wanted the fighter quickly, the first part of an initial batch of 26 single-seaters and 4 two-seaters was shipped to the Indian Air Force (IAF) beginning in 1985 with the older M53-5 engines. These aircraft were given the designations of Mirage 2000H5 and Mirage 2000TH5.
- The second part of this initial batch consisted of 10 more single-seaters with the M53-P2 engine, with these aircraft designated Mirage 2000H. All the first batch was reengined with the M53-P2, with the single-seaters redesignated "Mirage 2000H" and the two-seaters redesignated Mirage 2000TH.
- A second batch of six Mirage 2000H single-seaters and three Mirage 2000TH two-seaters was shipped in 1987-1988.
Recent orders:
- In 2004, the Indian government approved purchase of ten more Mirage 2000Hs, with these machines featuring improved avionics, particularly an upgraded RDM-7 radar.
- The Mirage 2000-5 was the frontrunner for a planned Indian Air Force 124+ fighter procurement in which it was competing with the Mikoyan MiG-35, F-16 Falcon and Saab Gripen. However, Dassault announced that Mirage 2000 will be replaced by the Rafale as the contender for the deal since the Mirage 2000 production line is to be closed.
- Indian Airforce has recently decided to purchase 40 Mirage 2000-5s including 10 Qatar Mirage 2000-5s.
[edit] Mirage 2000P (Peru)
Peru placed an order for 10 single-seat Mirage 2000Ps and 2 Mirage 2000DP trainers. The Peruvians ordered a set of munitions similar to that ordered by Egypt, along with ATLIS II targeting pods.
[edit] Mirage 2000-5EI (Taiwan)
In 1992, the Republic of China Air Force ordered 48 single-seat Mirage 2000-5EIs and 12 Mirage 2000-5DI trainers, with introduction of the first squadron in 1997 and the last fighters delivered in 1999. The Taiwanese ordered a set of ASTAC electronic intelligence (ELINT) pods for their Mirages.
[edit] Mirage 2000-5EDA (Qatar)
In 1994, Qatar ordered nine single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDAs and three Mirage 2000-5DDA trainers, with initial deliveries starting in 1997.
[edit] Mirage 2000EAD/RAD (UAE)
In 1983, the UAE purchased 22 single-seat Mirage 2000EADs, 8 unique single-seat Mirage 2000RAD reconnaissance variants, and 6 Mirage 2000DAD trainers, for a total order of 36 machines. The order specified an Italian-made defensive avionics suite that delayed delivery of the first of these aircraft until 1989.
- The Mirage 2000RAD reconnaissance variant does not have any built-in cameras or sensors, and the aircraft can still be operated in air combat or strike roles. The reconnaissance systems are implemented in pods, including the Thales "SLAR 2000" radar pod, Dassault "COR2" multi-camera pod with visible and infrared imaging capability, and the Dassault "AA-3-38 HAROLD" telescopic long-range optical camera pod. The UAE is the only nation operating such a specialized reconnaissance variant of the Mirage 2000 at this time.
[edit] Mirage 2000-9
Mirage 2000-9 is the export variant of Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2.
- The UAE was the launch customer, ordering 32 new-build aircraft, comprising 20 Mirage 2000-9 single-seaters and 12 Mirage 2000-9D two-seaters. Initial deliveries of the UAE Mirages began in the spring of 2003. A further 30 of Abu Dhabi's older Mirage 2000s will also be upgraded to Mirage 2000-9 standard.
- The UAE's Mirage 2000-9s are well-equipped for the strike mission, since they are being provided with the Shehab laser targeting pod (a variant of the Damocles) and the Nahar navigation pod, complementing the air-to-ground modes of the RDY-2 radar. They are also equipped with a classified countermeasures system designated "IMEWS", which is comparable to the ICMS 3. The UAE is also obtaining the "Black Shahin" cruise missile, which is basically a variant of the MATRA Apache] cruise missile.
[edit] Mirage 2000EG (Greece)
Beginning in March 1985, the Greeks ordered 36 single-seat Mirage 2000EGs and 4 Mirage 2000BG two-seat trainers.
- They feature an ICMS 1 defensive countermeasures suite, which is an updated version of the standard Mirage 2000C countermeasures suite and is characterized by two small antennas near the top of the tailfin. These Mirage 2000s were later modified in the field to carry the Aerospatiale AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile.
- In 2000, Greece ordered a batch of 25 Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2 fighters, which feature the SATURN secure radio. The order included 15 new-build aircraft and 10 upgrades of existing Greek Mirage 2000EGs. Apparently the Greek order does not include any upgrades of two-seaters.
[edit] Mirage 2000BR (Brazil)
Dassault competed for a Brazilian deal with the Mirage 2000BR, another variant of the Mirage 2000-9. Due to Brazilian budget problems, the competition has dragged on for years until it was suspended in February 2005.
- In July 2005, however, Brazil agreed to purchase 12 ex-AdA Mirage 2000C aircraft.
[edit] Service
[edit] List of users and variants
France: 315
- 124 Mirage 2000C single-seat fighter.
- 30 Mirage 2000B two-seater with Mirage 2000C kit.
- 75 Mirage 2000N two-seat nuclear strike variant.
- 86 Mirage 2000D two-seat conventional strike variant.
- (37 Mirage 2000C updated to gen-2 Mirage 2000-5F spec)
India: 69
- 52 Mirage 2000H, comparable to Mirage 2000C.
- 7 Mirage 2000TH two-seat trainer.
- 10 Mirage 2000D two seat conventional strike variant.
- (May also purchase 12 Mirage 2000-5 from Qatar)
UAE: 68
- 22 Mirage 2000EAD single-seat multirole fighter.
- 8 Mirage 2000RAD unique reconnaissance variant.
- 6 Mirage 2000DAD two-seat trainer.
- 20 Mirage 2000-9 single-seaters.
- 12 Mirage 2000-9D two-seat trainers.
Taiwan: 60
- 48 Mirage 2000-5EI, similar to Mirage 2000-5.
- 12 Mirage 2000-5DI, similar to Mirage 2000-5D.
Greece: 55
- 36 Mirage 2000EG, similar to Mirage 2000C.
- 4 Mirage 2000DG two-seat trainer.
- 15 Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 multirole fighter.
Egypt: 20
- 16 Mirage 2000EM, similar to Mirage 2000C.
- 4 Mirage 2000BM two-seat trainer.
Qatar: 12
- 9 Mirage 2000-5EDA single seat fighter.
- 3 Mirage 2000-5DDA two-seat trainer.
Peru: 12
- 10 Mirage 2000P single-seat multirole fighter.
- 2 Mirage 2000DP two-seat trainer.
Brazil: 12
- 10 ex-AdA Mirage 2000C single seat fighter (F-2000C).
- 2 ex-AdA Mirage 2000B two-seat trainer (F-2000B).
[edit] Combat Service
- French Mirage 2000s saw operational use during the Gulf War although little combat action. UAE Mirages also flew in the Gulf War, but saw little or no action.
- French Mirage 2000s were prominent participants in U.N. and NATO air operations over the former Yugoslavia, with one aircraft shot down over Bosnia by a heat-seeking surface-to-air missile in 1996, prompting efforts to obtain improved defensive systems.
- AdA Mirage 2000Ds served in the intervention in Afghanistan in 2001-2002, operating in close conjunction with international forces and performing precision attacks with LGBs.
[edit] Kargil war, 1999
- India has assigned the nuclear strike role to their Mirage 2000s. In 1999 when the Kargil conflict broke out, as all the Russian aircraft in the IAF (MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27) were having problems operating at high altitudes or were vulnerable to enemy MANPADs, the Mirage 2000 proved ideal for high altitude bombing.The Mirage 2000 performed well during the whole conflict, even though the Mirages supplied to India had limited air interdiction capability and had to be heavily modified to drop dumb and laser-guided bombs.The two Mirage squadrons flew a total of 515 sorties, and in 240 strike missions dropped 55,000 kg of ordnance.Easy maintenance and a very high sortie rate (compared to the Russian fighters in service with the IAF) made the Mirage 2000 the most efficient fighter of the Indian Air Force in the conflict.
[edit] Future
The Mirage 2000 is scheduled to be replaced by the Dassault Rafale, which became operational with the French Air Force on June 27, 2006.
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (C, 5, 9); 2 (B, D, N)
- Length: 50 ft 3 in (14.36 m)
- Wingspan: 29 ft (9.13 m)
- Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.30 m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: 16,755 lb (7,600 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 36,376 lb (16,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan, 21,400 lbf (95 kN)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2 at altitude (Mach 1.2 at sea level)
- Range: 890 mi (1,480 km)
- Service ceiling: 59,000 ft (18,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 56,000 ft/min (285 m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
Armament
- 2x 30 mm DEFA cannons
- 4x MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles
[edit] In fiction
- Mirage 2000-5 (possibly a 2000-5 MkII) variant were featured in the 2005 French film Les Chevaliers du Ciel (The Knights of Sky) imdb, starring Benoît Magimel as Capt. Antoine "Walk'n" Marchelli and Clovis Cornillac as Capt. Sébastien "Fahrenheit" Vallois. No visual post-production special effects were used to substitute the aircraft, and the flights were filmed with modified droptanks mounted on other Mirages or Alphajets. — Compare Top Gun.
[edit] External links
Recent news:
- Brazil Purchases 12 Used Mirage 2000C Fighters from France
- Thales keen on upgrading Indian Air Force Mirage 2000
General information:
- Mirage-Jet.com, a site about the Mirage 2000
- Information from globalsecurity.org
- FAS military analysis network
- Dassault Mirage 2000 & 4000 from Greg Goebel's AIR VECTORS
Video:
[edit] Related Content
Comparable aircraft
Aircraft with similar shape:
Aircraft with similar peformance:
Designation sequence
Mirage V - Mirage F1 - Mirage 2000 - Rafale - AVE-D - nEUROn
