Dassault Mirage 2000
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French single-engine delta-wing multirole fighter. Developed as a successor to earlier Mirage aircraft, it entered service in the 1980s and was produced in air-defence, strike and nuclear-delivery versions.[1]
Development
Dassault developed the Mirage 2000 after France ended its participation in a multinational variable-geometry fighter programme. Returning to a delta wing produced a simpler, lighter aircraft, made practical by fly-by-wire flight controls.
The first prototype flew in 1978 and the Mirage 2000C entered service in 1984. Two-seat trainers, the nuclear-capable Mirage 2000N, conventional strike Mirage 2000D and improved Mirage 2000-5 and -9 followed.[2]
Design
The Mirage 2000 has a tailless delta wing, a single M53 engine and side-mounted intakes with movable centrebodies. Digital flight controls manage an aerodynamically unstable configuration and give the aircraft good agility across a wide speed range.
Different versions use radar and avionics optimised for interception or attack. Fighter variants carry two internal 30 mm cannon, while external stations accept missiles, bombs, reconnaissance pods and fuel tanks.
Operational history
French Mirage 2000s have flown combat missions in the Gulf, Balkans, Afghanistan, Libya and the Sahel. France has retired some early fighter and nuclear variants while modernising Mirage 2000D strike aircraft.
Export users include India, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Egypt, Qatar and Peru. Several fleets have received radar, cockpit and weapon upgrades.
Variants and operators
The aircraft family includes Mirage 2000C/B; Mirage 2000N/D; Mirage 2000-5; Mirage 2000-9. Equipment, weapons and mission systems differ among production blocks and national fleets.
Principal or notable users include French Air and Space Force; Indian Air Force; Hellenic Air Force; United Arab Emirates Air Force; other operators. Some operators have retired early versions while others continue upgrades or new procurement.[1]
Specifications
Published performance figures depend on configuration, fuel, altitude and mission profile. Representative figures for the family include a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 and a range of Approximately 1,550 km ferry range. The usual crew is 1 or 2, and power is provided by 1 × SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan.[1]