Dassault Mirage III / 5 / 50

Summary

Description

The Mirage III is a family of single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft produced by the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. The aircraft was developed as an upgrade to the earlier Mirage I prototype and became one of France's iconic military jets. The Mirage III was initially conceived in the 1950s, with the first flight taking place on November 17, 1956.

The aircraft was designed for multiple roles, including interception, ground-attack, and reconnaissance. It featured a delta-wing configuration, which was considered innovative at the time and contributed to its high speed and maneuverability. It was powered by a single SNECMA Atar turbojet engine.

The Mirage 5 and Mirage 50 were subsequent variants, designed to extend the life and capabilities of the Mirage III platform. The Mirage 5 was basically a simplified version of the Mirage III, optimized for ground-attack roles. The Mirage 50 incorporated more advanced technologies and avionics, aiming to modernize the platform for continued service.

The development of the Mirage III can be traced back to a French government requirement for a lightweight, all-weather interceptor capable of reaching Mach 2 speed. Dassault Aviation responded to this need by initiating a project that led to the creation of the Mirage I, a prototype which eventually paved the way for the more advanced Mirage III.

The Mirage III was engineered with a distinctive delta-wing configuration, a choice inspired by earlier research on the aerodynamic properties of delta wings at high speeds. This design provided the aircraft with exceptional stability and maneuverability at high altitudes, as well as a relatively low landing speed, despite the absence of leading-edge extensions or slats. The aircraft was equipped with a single SNECMA Atar afterburning turbojet engine, which contributed to its impressive speed and climb rate.

The airframe was primarily built using a combination of lightweight alloys and some composite materials, a choice driven by the need to optimize its power-to-weight ratio. In terms of avionics, the original Mirage III models were somewhat basic but functional, equipped with radar, navigation systems, and a gunsight. Subsequent upgrades added more advanced systems, including better radar and electronic countermeasures.

The Mirage 5 was developed as a ground-attack variant of the Mirage III. It retained the essential design elements of its predecessor but was simplified to reduce cost and maintenance needs. The radar was often removed to save weight, and additional hardpoints were added for increased payload capacity, making it more suited for ground-attack and close air support roles.

The Mirage 50 followed and was essentially a modernized version of the Mirage 5, incorporating new avionics, more efficient engines, and sometimes canard foreplanes for better takeoff performance and agility. This variant aimed to extend the lifespan of the Mirage III/5 platform by integrating more advanced technologies.

Armament

The Mirage III generally featured a pair of 30mm DEFA 552 autocannons, which were internally mounted in the belly of the aircraft. The cannons were effective for air-to-air combat as well as for strafing runs against ground targets. Additionally, the aircraft had a variety of hardpoints that could carry an array of ordnance, including air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder or the French Matra R530, as well as air-to-ground munitions like bombs and rockets. Some versions of the Mirage III were also capable of carrying a single nuclear bomb.

The Mirage 5, designed with a focus on ground-attack, had similar internal cannon armament but featured increased payload capacity for air-to-ground munitions. This made it capable of carrying a variety of bombs, including unguided iron bombs, laser-guided bombs, and cluster munitions. It could also carry rocket pods for attacking ground targets, and some variants were configured to deploy anti-ship missiles or anti-radar missiles for SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) missions.

The Mirage 50 inherited the multirole capabilities of its predecessors but benefitted from modernized avionics that allowed it to employ more advanced weapons systems. Some versions were compatible with newer generation air-to-air missiles like the Matra Super 530 or even the Magic 2 for close combat. Advanced targeting pods could also be equipped for precision ground-attack missions, making it capable of deploying advanced laser-guided munitions.

Operational history

One of the earliest and most notable instances of the Mirage III in combat was during the Six-Day War in 1967, where it was used by the Israeli Air Force. The aircraft played a crucial role in Operation Focus, the preemptive strike that incapacitated much of the Egyptian Air Force. Israeli Mirage IIIs were also effective in air-to-air combat, achieving a high kill ratio.

The aircraft saw action again during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where it continued to perform well but also faced challenges from more advanced Soviet-supplied surface-to-air missiles and aircraft. Nonetheless, it remained a workhorse for the Israeli Air Force until more modern aircraft took over its roles.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Mirage III was employed by the Argentine Air Force during the Falklands War in 1982. However, the aircraft faced limitations due to the long distances it had to cover to reach the combat zone, which reduced its effectiveness.

The Mirage 5, often used by countries for ground-attack missions, saw action in various regional conflicts. For instance, it was used by the Pakistani Air Force during the Indo-Pakistani conflicts. It was also deployed in various African conflicts, often in a ground-attack or close air support role.

The Mirage 50, being more of an updated variant, has seen less combat but has been used for various purposes including interception and ground attack roles by countries that sought to modernize their Mirage fleets without investing in completely new aircraft.

Variants

• Mirage IIIA: This was the initial pre-production series, featuring a more powerful Atar 09B turbojet engine and an improved avionics package. It was capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2.2.
• Mirage IIIC: This was the first major production variant, designed primarily as an interceptor. It featured a Cyrano radar and could carry a range of air-to-air missiles along with its internal cannons.
• Mirage IIIE: This version was a multi-role aircraft with improved avionics, including a Doppler radar for ground-attack missions. It also had an additional fuel tank in the rear fuselage to extend its range.
• Mirage IIIR: This was the reconnaissance variant, which replaced the internal cannon with cameras and other imaging equipment. It maintained the ability to carry external ordnance for self-defense.
• Mirage IIIS: A Swiss variant that incorporated local modifications, including different avionics and the ability to carry American Sidewinder missiles. It was produced under license in Switzerland.
• Mirage 5: This was a simplified, cost-effective ground-attack variant, often lacking radar to save on weight and costs. It featured additional hardpoints for carrying more air-to-ground ordnance.
• Mirage 5F: A version specifically tailored for the French Air Force.
• Mirage 50: Essentially a modernized Mirage 5, incorporating newer engines an improved Atar 9K-50 and avionics. Some versions added canard foreplanes for improved takeoff and maneuverability.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Pakistan	179
	Egypt	81

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

United Arab Emirates • Argentina • Australia • Belgium • Brazil • Switzerland • Chile • Congo Democratic Republic • Congo • Colombia • Egypt • Spain • France • Gabon • Israel • Lebanon • Libya • Pakistan • Peru • Venezuela • South Africa

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Air Short-Range AIM-26 Falcon
• Air-to-Surface AS.30
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder

Bombs payload:

• Low-Drag Mk 65

Photo of Mirage III / 5 / 50

3-view profile