Dassault Mirage 4000

Summary

Description

The Mirage 4000 was a French prototype twin-engine, delta-winged, heavy fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Conceived as a larger, more powerful counterpart to the Mirage 2000, the Mirage 4000 was aimed at the export market, with a particular focus on potential Middle Eastern customers. The aircraft was designed to meet the requirements of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground missions while maintaining the proven delta-wing design and layout of its predecessor.

Dassault launched the private venture Mirage 4000 project in 1976, and the first prototype made its maiden flight on March 9, 1979. Although the aircraft demonstrated excellent performance and capabilities, the Mirage 4000 failed to secure any orders from international customers. The project was eventually canceled in the mid-1980s, with only one prototype ever completed.

The Mirage 4000's design showcased a number of advancements compared to the Mirage 2000. Its larger size enabled it to carry more fuel and payload, while the two SNECMA M53-2 afterburning turbofan engines provided greater thrust and improved overall performance. The aircraft featured a more advanced digital fly-by-wire control system, which allowed for better maneuverability and handling characteristics.

The aircraft's avionics suite was state-of-the-art for its time, including a powerful RDM-3 radar, advanced navigation and communication systems, and a dedicated electronic warfare suite. The Mirage 4000 was also designed to be easily upgraded as new technology became available, ensuring it could remain competitive with other contemporary fighters.

In terms of armament, the Mirage 4000 was capable of carrying a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. For air-to-air combat, the aircraft could be armed with Super 530D and Magic II missiles, while its air-to-ground capabilities included the use of AS-30L laser-guided missiles, ASMP nuclear missiles, and various types of bombs and rocket pods. Additionally, the Mirage 4000 featured a 30mm DEFA 554 cannon for close-range engagements.

Despite its impressive capabilities, the Mirage 4000 faced strong competition from other advanced fighters such as the F-15 Eagle and the Panavia Tornado on the international market. The high cost of the aircraft, as well as the availability of other, more established designs, contributed to the Mirage 4000's failure to secure any export orders.

Although the Mirage 4000 never entered full-scale production or operational service, the lessons learned and technologies developed during the aircraft's design and testing phases greatly influenced Dassault's future projects. Some of the advanced features and systems developed for the Mirage 4000 were eventually incorporated into upgraded versions of the Mirage 2000, as well as the Dassault Rafale, which became France's next-generation multirole fighter.

The sole Mirage 4000 prototype is currently on display at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (Air and Space Museum) in Le Bourget, France, where it serves as a testament to Dassault's ambitious efforts to develop a world-class heavy fighter during the late 20th century.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

No country is operating the Mirage 4000 in 2024.

All operators

France

Photo of Mirage 4000