Dassault Mirage F1

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇫🇷 France
First flight	23 December 1966
Year of introduction	1973
Number produced	726 units
Average unit price	$8 million

Description

The Mirage F1 is a French single-engine, single-seat fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was developed as a successor to the Mirage III and Mirage 5, with an emphasis on improved performance, versatility, and ease of maintenance. Unlike its delta-winged predecessors, the Mirage F1 features a more conventional swept-wing design, which provides better low-speed handling characteristics and improved takeoff and landing performance.

The development of the Mirage F1 began in the 1960s as a private venture by Dassault. The first prototype made its maiden flight in 1966, and after a series of tests and evaluations, the French Air Force selected the Mirage F1 as its new frontline fighter in 1967. The aircraft entered service in 1973 and was produced in several variants, serving in a variety of roles such as air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance.

The Mirage F1 is powered by a single SNECMA Atar 9K-50 turbojet engine, which allows it to reach a top speed of Mach 2.2. The swept-wing design, combined with more advanced aerodynamics, provides the aircraft with excellent maneuverability and high-speed performance. Additionally, the Mirage F1's design incorporates a high-mounted wing, which allows for increased fuel and payload capacity compared to its predecessors.

The avionics suite of the Mirage F1 includes a Cyrano IV radar, inertial navigation system, and various communication and identification systems. The aircraft is capable of carrying a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, such as the Matra R.530 and Magic II air-to-air missiles, AS-30L air-to-ground missiles, rocket pods, and various bombs. A 30mm DEFA cannon is also mounted internally for close-range engagements.

The Mirage F1 has seen extensive operational service with the French Air Force and various other air forces around the world. It has been deployed in numerous conflicts and peacekeeping operations, including the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, the Afghanistan War, and the Libyan Civil War. The aircraft has proven to be reliable and effective in a range of mission profiles, earning a reputation as a versatile and capable multirole fighter.

Several main versions of the Mirage F1 have been produced, including:

Mirage F1C: The initial single-seat air superiority fighter version, which entered service with the French Air Force in 1973.
Mirage F1CR: A reconnaissance variant equipped with various cameras and sensors for intelligence-gathering missions.
Mirage F1CT: A ground attack version with updated avionics and improved air-to-ground weapons capabilities, based on the Mirage F1C.
Mirage F1E: A series of export versions tailored to the specific requirements of various international customers, including multirole and reconnaissance variants.

The Mirage F1 has been retired from active service with the French Air Force, but it remains in service with several air forces around the world. .

Technical specifications

Version: Mirage F1E-M53
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	1600 km (994 mi)
Maximum speed	2350 km/h (1460 mph)
Wing area	25 m² (269.1 sqft)
Wingspan	8.5 m (27.7 ft)
Height	4.6 m (15.0 ft)
Length	15.5 m (51.0 ft)
Service ceiling	20000 m (65617 ft)
Empty weight	8024 kg (17690 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	15200 kg (33510 lbs)
Climb rate	242.0 m/s (794.0 ft/s)
Powerplant	1 × turbojet SNECMA M53 delivering 5550 kgp, up to 8500 kgp with afterburner