Mirage 2000
From Ace Combat Skies - Wiki
Mirage 2000
| Role: | Multirole Fighter |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Dassault |
| Real-World Origin: |  France
|
| Variants: | Mirage 2000C Mirage 2000B Mirage 2000N Mirage 2000D Mirage 2000-5 Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2 Mirage 2000E (and derivatives) Mirage 4000 |
The Mirage 2000 is a French fighter aircraft capable of fulfilling several roles, derived from the Mirage III interceptor.
Contents |
Development
The French Air Force began its Avion de Combat Futur (Future Combat Aircraft) program in the early 1970s, but the project was canceled due to skyrocketing costs. Following the cancellation, Dassault unveiled the Mirage 2000 primarily in response to the Mirage F1's failure in export markets. The F1 was consistently losing bids to the F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, a sign that lightweight, low-cost fighters fare better in sales. The Mirage 2000 was also developed into the Mirage 4000, but that project was canceled after its only potential customer, Saudi Arabia, chose the F-15C/D Eagle instead.
The initial C and B variants were soon followed by the N, designed for France's nuclear forces. However, Desert Storm showed the French that two-seat craft are superior in strike missions. This led to the conversion of a Mirage 2000N into the first Mirage 2000D, a two-seat conventionally-armed attacker.
Further upgrades to the design came with the introduction of the Mirage 2000-5, with its glass cockpit, HOTAS control layout, and significantly improved radar. Its Thales RDY variant is capable of tracking 24 targets and engage 4 simultaneously with MICA fully-active radar-guided missiles. The -5 was later developed into the -5 Mk.2 variant, with RDY-2 radar. The RDY-2 incorporates synthetic aperture mode, the ability to track moving ground targets, and a stealthy low probability of intercept mode. Planned upgrades will allow Mk.2s to employ Topsight-E helmet-mounted sights for use with infrared-guided missiles. The Mirage 2000E variant includes all export designs. Overall, over 600 Mirage 2000s have been produced, with the production line staying opened until 2007. It will soon be replaced by the Rafale B/C in French service.
Design
The Mirage 2000 shares its delta wing configuration as well as many other design aspects with its predecessor, the Mirage III. Delta wings offer poor low-speed flight characteristics, long takeoff rolls, and inferior maneuverability, but they are cheap to produce, control well at high speeds, and have low radar cross sections.
The Mirage 2000 can carry AIM-9 Sidewinders, but more often employs R.550 Magic infrared-seeking missiles. Its BVR complement includes the MICA and Super 530 missiles, and it can carry a wide array of air-to-ground ordinance. Two DEFA 554 30mm cannons are mounted on the plane's underside.
Variants
Mirage 2000C - First version of the Mirage to enter service, a single seat interceptor.
- Mirage 2000B - Two-seat trainer adapted from the C.
- Mirage 2000-5 - Initially developed from a Mirage 2000B prototype, the -5 is a C variant with avionics upgrades to keep it approximately on par with the F-16C. It features new radar and a glass cockpit.
- Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2 - A further development of the Mirage 2000-5, the Mark 2 features RDY-2 radar with a synthetic aperture mode and low-probability of intercept. Planned upgrades will include helmet-mounted sights.
- Mirage 2000-9 - An export variant of the Mk. 2 built for the UAE.
- Mirage 2000-9D - Two-seat Mirage 2000-9.
- Mirage 2000-9 - An export variant of the Mk. 2 built for the UAE.
- Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2 - A further development of the Mirage 2000-5, the Mark 2 features RDY-2 radar with a synthetic aperture mode and low-probability of intercept. Planned upgrades will include helmet-mounted sights.
Mirage 2000N - Two-seat version entering service in the mid-1980s. Designed to deliver the ASMP nuclear missile.
- Mirage 2000D - Two-seat ground attack version derived from the N variant.
Mirage 2000E - A generic designation referring to the baseline starting point for all export variants. They employ M53-P2 engines, RDY+ radar, and can carry ATLIS II laser targeting pods.
- Mirage 2000M - Mirage 2000Es acquired by Egypt.
- Mirage 2000BM - Dual-seat Mirage 2000Ms.
- Mirage 2000H5 - Indian Mirage 2000Es with old M53-5 engines.
- Mirage 2000TH5 - Two-seat Mirage 2000H5s.
- Mirage 2000H - Indian Mirages with M53-P2 engines.
- Mirage 2000TH - Mirage 2000H trainer variant.
- Mirage 2000P - Peruvian Mirage 2000Es.
- Mirage 2000DP - Two-seat Mirage 2000Ps.
- Mirage 2000-5EI - Export Mirage 2000Es for Taiwan with some 2000-5 upgrades. Acquired primarily for interception but they also have some ELINT capabilities.
- Mirage 2000-5DI - Mirage 2000-5EI trainers.
- Mirage 2000-5EDA - Export Mirage 2000E for the UAE similar to the -5EI.
- Mirage 2000-5DDA - -5EDA trainer.
- Mirage 2000EG - Export Mirage 2000E for Greece.
- Mirage 2000BG - EG trainer.
- Mirage 2000BR - Export Mirage 2000E for Brazil. Designated Mirage 2000C/B in Brazilian service.
Mirage 4000 - A heavy, twin-engine interceptor. Canceled after its only potential buyer, Saudi Arabia, chose the F-15 instead.
Specifications (Mirage 2000C)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14.36 m (50 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 9.13 m (29 ft)
- Height: 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Powerplant: 1× SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan, (64 kN)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
- Combat radius: 1,450 km (770 NM, 890 mi)
- Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 ft)
- Thrust/weight: 0.91
Armament
- Gun / 2x 30mm DEFA-554 cannons
- MSSL / R550 Magic
- LASM / AM.39 Exocet (AC04/6)
- SAAM / Super 530 (AC5)
- SFFS / BLG-66 Belouga (AC6)
- UGB / Mk.83 (AC5/Z/X)
- UGBS / Mk.82 (AC04)
- XMAA / MICA (AC04/5/Z/X/6)
Operators
Real World
France (Mirage 2000C/D/N/-5/-5 Mk.2)
Brazil (Mirage 2000B/C)
Egypt (Mirage 2000EM/BM)
Greece (Mirage 2000EG/-5 Mk.2/BG)
India (Mirage 2000H/D/TH)
Peru (Mirage 2000P/DP)
Qatar (Mirage 2000-5EDA/-DDA)
Taiwan (Mirage 2000-5EI/-5DI)
UAE (Mirage 2000EAD/-9/-9D/RAD/DAD)
Ace Combat
-
Aurelia (Mirage 2000D)
207th TFS Gryphus
-
Belka (Mirage 2000D)
-
Emmeria (Mirage 2000-5)
- 3rd AW/4th FS Sky Kid
8th AD/28th TFS Garuda
-
Erusea (Mirage 2000C)
-
Estovakia (Mirage 2000-5)
-
ISAF (Mirage 2000C)
118th TFW Mobius
-
Leasath (Mirage 2000D)
Osea (Mirage 2000C/D)
- Capital District Air Command
-
Ustio (Mirage 2000D)
6th AD/66th AFU Galm
-
Yuktobania (Mirage 2000C/D)
