Dassault Mirage 2000

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇫🇷 France
First flight	1 March 1978
Year of introduction	1983
Number produced	601 units
Average unit price	$23 million

Description

The Mirage 2000 is a French multirole fighter jet developed by Dassault Aviation. It was designed as a successor to the earlier Mirage III and Mirage V series. The development of the Mirage 2000 began in the 1970s with the aim of creating a more modern, versatile aircraft capable of fulfilling multiple roles including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The first prototype flew on March 10, 1978, and the aircraft entered operational service with the French Air Force in 1984. It was developed to meet the needs of the French military but has also been exported to several other countries.

The development of the Mirage 2000 was driven by the French government's desire for a single-seat, multirole fighter to replace older Mirage III and Mirage V aircraft. Dassault Aviation took on the project, aiming to produce an aircraft that could perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions efficiently. Key goals included improved avionics, better aerodynamics, and increased versatility.

One of the defining features of the Mirage 2000's design is its delta wing, a carryover from earlier Mirage models but optimized for better agility and low-speed handling. The airframe is primarily made of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber and other composites, to keep the weight low while maintaining structural integrity. The aircraft is powered by a single SNECMA M53 turbofan engine, which gives it a top speed of around Mach 2.2.

For avionics, the Mirage 2000 incorporated state-of-the-art systems for its time, such as a multi-mode radar, electronic countermeasures, and a fly-by-wire control system. The latter provided better control and reduced pilot workload, making it easier to manage the aircraft in complex scenarios. Over the years, the avionics have been updated to keep pace with technological advancements.

The aircraft was also designed to be easily upgradeable, a feature that has allowed it to remain in service for many years with incremental improvements. Various versions have been developed to specialize in different roles, from air superiority (Mirage 2000C) to ground attack (Mirage 2000D) and multirole capabilities (Mirage 2000-5 and Mirage 2000-9). These adaptations involve changes to the avionics, weapons systems, and sometimes even the airframe, tailoring the aircraft to specific mission profiles.

Armament

The Mirage 2000 is equipped with a variety of weapons to carry out its multirole missions. For air-to-air combat, it typically carries a mix of short-range and medium-range missiles. The short-range arsenal often includes Magic II or AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided missiles, while medium-range air-to-air capabilities are provided by radar-guided missiles like the Super 530D or the newer MICA.

For air-to-ground missions, the aircraft can be equipped with laser-guided bombs, conventional unguided bombs, and cluster munitions. It also has the capability to deploy anti-ship missiles and precision-guided munitions like the SCALP cruise missile or the Apache stand-off dispenser. The Mirage 2000D, a dedicated ground-attack version, has been optimized for delivering these types of munitions.

The aircraft also features an internal 30mm DEFA 554 autocannon with a rate of fire of about 1,200 to 1,800 rounds per minute, providing a short-range weapon option effective against both air and ground targets.

Over the years, upgrades have been made to the Mirage 2000's weapons systems to integrate newer munitions, such as the aforementioned MICA missiles or the AASM "Hammer" modular air-to-ground weapon, which offer GPS guidance for increased accuracy.

The Mirage 2000's pylons can also accommodate a range of pods for specialized tasks, including reconnaissance, target designation, and electronic countermeasures.

Operational history

The Mirage 2000 has a long and varied operational history, seeing action in multiple conflicts and serving with several air forces around the world. The aircraft entered service with the French Air Force in 1984 and rapidly became a cornerstone of France's air capabilities.

In the 1990s, it was deployed during the Gulf War as part of Operation Desert Storm. French Mirage 2000s primarily flew air superiority missions but also took part in ground-attack operations. The aircraft saw further action in the Balkans during the 1990s, participating in both the Bosnian and Kosovo conflicts. In these operations, they were used for air patrols, ground strikes, and reconnaissance missions.

The Mirage 2000 has also been involved in ongoing military operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East. French Mirage 2000D and 2000-5 variants have been used for ground-attack and reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. In the Middle East, they have been active in anti-ISIS operations, performing strikes against strategic targets.

Apart from France, the Mirage 2000 has been exported to various countries and seen service in a number of different air forces, including those of India, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Indian Mirage 2000s, for example, played a significant role in the 1999 Kargil War against Pakistan, providing air support and launching laser-guided bombs.

Additionally, the Mirage 2000 has been used in various skirmishes and standoffs, notably by Greece in its aerial patrols over disputed regions with Turkey. The aircraft has also been employed in non-combat roles, such as enforcing no-fly zones and performing disaster relief missions.

Variants

Here are some of the main variants:

Mirage 2000C: The initial single-seat version designed primarily for air superiority roles. It was the first to be introduced into service and comes equipped with a multi-mode radar and the capability to carry a variety of air-to-air missiles.
Mirage 2000B: A two-seat version primarily used for training, although it retains full combat capability. The 2000B served as the basis for other specialized two-seat versions.
Mirage 2000N: A two-seat variant developed for nuclear strike missions as part of France's nuclear deterrent strategy. This variant was equipped with specialized avionics and could carry the ASMP nuclear missile.
Mirage 2000D: Evolved from the Mirage 2000N, this two-seat version is optimized for conventional ground-attack missions. It features updated avionics and can carry a range of precision-guided munitions.
Mirage 2000-5: An upgraded version of the original Mirage 2000C, this single-seat variant incorporates advanced avionics, including a glass cockpit, and can carry the MICA air-to-air missile. This variant aims to enhance multirole capabilities and situational awareness.
Mirage 2000-9: This is a highly upgraded variant specifically tailored for the United Arab Emirates. It includes even more advanced avionics, an improved radar system, and enhanced ground-attack capabilities.
Mirage 2000I/TI: Custom variants developed for the Indian Air Force, these are similar to the Mirage 2000-5 but include specific avionics and systems to meet Indian requirements.

Technical specifications

Version: Mirage 2000C
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	3300 km (2051 mi)
Maximum speed	2336 km/h (1452 mph)
Wing area	41 m² (441.3 sqft)
Wingspan	9.1 m (30.0 ft)
Height	5.2 m (17.1 ft)
Length	14.4 m (47.1 ft)
Service ceiling	18300 m (60039 ft)
Empty weight	7500 kg (16535 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	17500 kg (38581 lbs)
Climb rate	305.0 m/s (1000.7 ft/s)
Powerplant	1 × turbojet SNECMA M53P-2 delivering 6626 kgp, up to 9990 kgp with afterburner
Ejection seat	Martin-Baker Mk 10