Basic Information

Name

Mirage 2000 French Multirole Fighter Aircraft

Designation

—

Alternate Designation

—

Equipment Type

Multirole Fighter Aircraft

Manufacturer

Dassault Aviation

Date of Introduction

1984

Description

The Mirage 2000 is very similar to the Mirage III/5 and 50, though it is not a variant of the Mirage III/5 or 50 but an entirely new aircraft with advanced interceptor controls. In its secondary ground-attack role, the Mirage 2000 carries laser-guided missiles rockets, and bombs. There is a two-seat version of this aircraft, the 2000N (Penetration) which has nuclear standoff capability. The wings are low-mounted delta with clipped tips. There is one turbofan engine mounted in the fuselage. There are semicircular air intakes alongside the fuselage forward of the wings. There is a large, single exhaust that protrudes past the tail. The fuselage is tube-shaped with a pointed nose and a bubble canopy. There are no tail flats. The fin is swept back and tapered with a clipped tip. The Mirage 2000-5 is a multi-role single-seater or two-seater fighter. It differs from its predecessors mainly in its avionics; its new multiple targets air-to-ground and air-to-air firing procedures linked to the use of RDY radar and its new visualization and control system. As a multi-role combat aircraft with versatile air-to-air mission capabilities, the Mirage 2000-5 integrates the state-of-the-art of know-how based on the experience gained from the previous Mirage 2000 versions (Mirage 2000 DA, Mirage 2000 E, Mirage 2000 D) and is designed for the most advanced armaments. The Mirage 2000 D, derived from the Mirage 2000N operated by the French Air Force, is a two-seater air-to-ground attack aircraft. The Mirage 2000D tactical penetration two-seater fighter carries air-to-ground high precision weapons which can be fired at a safe distance, by day or by night. Its navigation and attack system enables it to fly in any weather conditions, hugging the terrain at a very low altitude. Beyond the nuclear weapons capabilities adopted for the Mirage 2000 N, the Mirage 2000 D armament includes laser-guided weapons, low-drag bombs, and the aircraft can also carry the APACHE cruise missile. The Mirage 2000 D geometrical characteristics and the main performance data are the same as those of the Mirage 2000-5.

Air & Air Defense Specifications

Crew 1

Variants

Mirage 2000C Upgrades include the addition of the Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) mode to the RDI Radar to allow identification of airborne targets not responding on identification friend or foe (IFF), and the ability to carry air-to-ground stores such as rocket pods, iron bombs, and cluster bombs. Some variants, especially those equipped with the RDM radar (mainly used in export models) have the capability to use the Exocet anti-ship missile.

Mirage 2000B The Mirage 2000B is a two-seat operational conversion trainer variant that first flew on 11 October 1980. The French Air Force acquired 30 Mirage 2000Bs, and all three AdA fighter wings each obtained several of them for conversion training.

Mirage 2000N The Mirage 2000N is the nuclear strike variant that was intended to carry the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée nuclear stand-off missile. The variant was retired on 21 June 2018.

Mirage 2000D The Mirage 2000D is a dedicated conventional attack variant developed from the Mirage 2000N.

Mirage 2000-5F First major upgrade over the Mirage 2000C. Replaces most cockpit displays with several large multi-function displays, and upgrading the stores-to-aircraft interface for the use of targeting pods and a wide variety of guided air-to-ground weapons, as well as a radar upgrade to provide guidance information for MICA missiles.

Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2 Dassault further improved the Mirage 2000-5, creating the Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2 which is currently the most advanced variant of the Mirage 2000.

Mirage 2000E "Mirage 2000E" was a blanket designation for a series of export variants of the Mirage 2000. These aircraft were fitted with the M53-P2 engine and an enhanced "RDM+" radar, and all can carry the day-only ATLIS II laser targeting pod.

Mirage 2000M The Mirage 2000M is the version purchased by Egypt. Two-seat Mirage 2000BM trainers were also ordered.

Mirage 2000H, 2000TH Designation of two-seat trainers and single-seat fighters for India. Indian Mirage 2000s have been integrated to carry the Russian R-73AE Archer missile as of 2007. The Mirage 2000TH is a twin-seat trainer version.

Mirage 2000I, 2000TI It is an Indian specific version single/twin-seater fighter for Indian Air Force similar to Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 equipped with Indian French and Israeli avionics and weapon packages. Its contract was signed in 2011 and first upgraded aircraft was delivered in 2015. Dassault aviation will upgrade initial few planes Mirage 2000H, 2000TH to 2000I, 2000TI later by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Mirage 2000P Peru placed an order for 10 single-seat Mirage 2000Ps and 2 Mirage 2000DP trainers.

Mirage 2000-5EI Of the 60 Mirage 2000s Taiwan ordered in 1992, the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) would receive 48 single-seat Mirage 2000-5EI interceptors and 12 Mirage 2000-5DI trainers. This version of Mirage 2000-5 had the mid-air refuel ability as well as its ground attack ability deleted.

Mirage 2000-5EDA In 1994, Qatar ordered nine single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDAs and three Mirage 2000-5DDA trainers, with initial deliveries starting in late 1997.

Mirage 2000EAD/RAD In 1983, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) purchased 22 single-seat Mirage 2000EADs, 8 unique single-seat Mirage 2000RAD reconnaissance variants, and 6 Mirage 2000DAD trainers, for a total order of 36 aircraft. The Mirage 2000RAD reconnaissance variant does not have any built-in cameras or sensors, and the aircraft can still be operated in air combat or strike roles. The reconnaissance systems are implemented in pods produced by Thales and Dassault. The UAE is the only nation operating such a specialized reconnaissance variant of the Mirage 2000 at this time.

Mirage 2000EG n March 1985, Greece ordered 30 single-seat Mirage 2000EGs and 10 Mirage 2000BG two-seat trainers, equipped with RDM radars and M53P2 engines, mainly for interception/air defense roles, although the ability to use air-to-ground armaments was retained. After the Talos modernization project, during which variant aircraft received updated sensors and avionics, as well as new anti-ship and air-to-air weapons, and were redesignated Mirage 2000EGM.

Mirage 2000BR A variant of the Mirage 2000-9 for Brazil that did not materialise.

Mirage 2000-9 Mirage 2000-9 is the export variant of Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2. The UAE was the launch customer, ordering 32 new-build aircraft, comprising 20 Mirage 2000-9 single-seaters and 12 Mirage 2000-9D two-seaters. A further 30 of Abu Dhabi's older Mirage 2000s will also be upgraded to Mirage 2000-9 standard.

System

Alternate Designation(s) Mirage 2000

Type Multirole fighter

Manufacturer Dassault Aviation

In Service 1984-Present

Crew 1 (2 in trainer version)

Number of Engines 1

Day/Night Capable Yes

All Weather Capable Yes

Number of Hard Points 2 x 661 lb (300 kg) outboard wing pylons for various weapons and stores.

Dimensions

Length 14.36 m

Width (Wing Span) 9.13 m

Wing Area 40.97 m sq

Height 5.20 m

Weight, Empty 7,500 kg

Payload 6,300 kg

Takeoff, Clean 10,860 kg

Takeoff, Air-to-Air 13,000 kg

Takeoff, Ground-Attack 16,200 kg

Takeoff, Max 17,000 kg

Automotive

Engine Name 1 x SNECMA M53-P2 after-burning turbofan or 1 x SNECMA M53-P20 (later aircraft)

Number of Engines 1

Power, Dry 14,462 lbs (6,560 kg) static thrust 14,991 lbs (6,800 kg) static thrust for the P20

Afterburner 9,700 kg

Fuel Capacity 3,978 liters

Speed, High Altitude 2,630 km/h, Mach 2.2

Speed, Low Altitude 1,100 km/h), assuming no afterburner, 8 x 250 kg bombs and 2 x Magic AAM or (2000N) 1 x ASMP cruise missile

Minimum Speed 185 km/h

Brake Release 4 min (to 49,200 ft/15,000 m and Mach 2)

Rate of Climb 17,060 m/min

Ceiling 18,000 m

Communications

Radio INA

Cannon Weapon System

System

Name DEFA 554 30mm Cannon

Type Cannon

Caliber 30mm

In Service 1954-Present

Manufacturer CASA, Dassault Aviation, Matra, AEi Systems.

Length 1.66 m

Weight 85 kg

Barrels 1

Action Five-chamber revolver

Rate of Fire 1,300 rpm

Muzzle Velocity 815 m/s

Ammunition

Type Rifle, Cannon

Caliber 30 mm

Cartridge 30 × 113 mm

Basic Load 125 Rounds

Weapon Stations

Capacity 4 x 882 lb (400 kg) capacity; 2 x 3,960 lb (1,800 kg) capacity fuselage (only one in 2000-5)

Pylons 2 x 661 lb (300 kg) outboard wing pylons for various weapons and stores

Compatible Weapons, Air-to-Air 2-4 x R550 Magic 2; 2-4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder; 2 x Super 530; 4-6 x MICA (2000-5);

Compatible Weapons, Air-to-Ground 2 x AS30L; 1-2 x BGL laser-guided rocket/gun pods; 4 x 18-round 68-mm rocket pods; 2 x 100-mm rocket packs; 1 x CC630 twin 30-mm cannon pack

Compatible Weapons, Bombs 18 x 79 lb (35 kg) BAP-100 anti-runway; 18 x 551 lb (250 kg) conventional; 16 x 441 lb (200 kg) Durandal anti-runway; 5-6 x Belouga cluster; 5-6 x 882 lb (400 kg) BM 400 modular; 1-2 x 2,205 lb (1,000 kg) BGL laser-guided

Compatible Weapons, Anti-Radar 2 x Armat

Compatible Weapons, Anti-Ship 2 x AM 39 Exocet

Compatible Weapons, Nuclear 1 x ASMP cruise missile (2000N)

Missile System (Option 1)

Name R550 Magic 2

Type Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile

Basic Load 2-4

Manufacturer Matra, MBDA

In Service 1986-Present

Proliferation Brazil India France Greece Jordan Qatar Romania Taiwan

Length 2.75 m

Diameter 160 mm

Span, Foreplanes 0.47 m

Span, Tailplanes 0.66 m

Weight 89 kg

Warhead pre-fragmented with controlled splintering

Warhead Weight 13 kg

Configuration thin cylinder with rounded nose 2 sets of cruciform foreplanes, front "cropped delta" non-steering, rear compound sweep steerable rear cruciform "cropped delta" fins mounted on slip ring and rotating freely

Propulsion Richard single-stage butylene solid-propellant rocket

Speed Mach 3+

Effective Range 3 km

Minimum Distance to Launch 500 m

Altitude 20,000 m

Guidance System All-aspect, cooled IR seeker proximity fuze detonation

Platforms Attack Attack A-4 Skyhawk Alpha Jet Jaguar Mirage V Mirage F1 Sea Harrier Super Etendard Fighters F-5 Tiger MiG-21 MiG-23 Mirage III Mirage 2000 Rafale F-16 Trainers Hawk Note: Users may employ the Magic on other aircraft that are capable of firing the AIM-9 Sidewinder

Missile System (Option 2)

Name AS-30L

Type MCLOS with radio command link / laser guided short-to-medium range air-to-ground missile

In Service 1985-Present

Manufacturer Aérospatiale

Length 3.7 m

Diameter 340 mm

Weight 520 kg

Warhead Type Impact-fuzed SAPHE (Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive)

Warhead Weight 240 kg

Detonation Mechanism Delayed AP impact fuse (2 m ferroconcrete)

Engine Two-stage solid propellant rocket motors, composite booster, double-based sustainer

Wingspan 1 m

Operational Range 3-11 km

Flight Ceiling 10,000 m

Speed 1,700 km/h

Guidance System semi-active laser homing

Launch Platforms Mirage 2000D, Mirage 2000-5, F-16, Jaguar, Mirage F1, upgraded Super Etendard, Rafale

Basic Load 2 x AS-30L air-to-ground missile

Missile System (Option 3)

Name AM 39 Exocet

Type Anti-Ship Missile

In Service 1974-Present

Manufacturer 1979–1999: Aérospatiale 1999–2001: Aérospatiale-Matra 2001–present: MBDA

Length 4.69 m

Diameter 348 mm

Wingspan 1.10 m

Weight 655 kg

Configuration slim, pointed cylinder cruciform cropped and swept delta mainplanes indexed in line with small cruciform tail planes

Propulsion 2 SNPE double-base Nitramite smokeless solid-propellant rockets 1 Dondor booster with 2 sec burn 1 Helios sustainer with 130-150 sec burn

Speed 1,100 km/h or Mach 0.93

Maximum Range 50-70 km

Warhead Type Hexolite blast-fragmentation

Warhead Weight 165 kg

Senors /Fire Control "fire-and-forget" TRT AHV-7 radio altimeter inertial navigation during first part of flight Electronique Marcel Dassault ADAC or Super ADAC I/J-band active radar homing in terminal phase that begins search approximately 5.4 nm (6.2 mi.; 10 km) from target's estimated position

Basic Load 2 x AM 39 Exocet Anti-Ship Missile

Fire Control / Avionics

Fire Control System Type INA

Navigation Radar Thomson-CST RDI pulse Doppler, or Thomson-CSF RDM multi mode, or Thomson-CSF Antilope V ground-scan (2000N), or Thales RDY multi-mode (2000-5/-5 Mk 2/-9)

Targeting Atlis laser designator/marked target-seeker.

Note The Mirage 2000 is available as a single-seat or two-seat multi-role fighter. The pilot flies the aircraft by means of a centre stick and left-hand throttles, with both incorporating hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls. The pilot sits on a SEM MB Mk10 zero-zero ejection seat (a license-built version of the British Martin-Baker Mark 10). The instrument panel (in the Mirage 2000 C) is dominated by a Sextant VE-130 head-up display which presents data relating to flight control, navigation, target engagement and weapon firing, and a radar screen located centrally below it.

Protection

Stealth Properties INA

Heat Signature Reduction INA

Add on Armor INA

NBC Protection Yes

EW Counter Measures Jammer 1 x Caiman noise/deception and 2 x Remora noise pods

Chaffs/Flares INA

Image Sources

Notes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Mirage_2000N/2000D; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mirage_2000N_-_RIAT_2016_(27643755083).jpg; https://alchetron.com/Dassault-Mirage-2000;