Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Mirage 2000>HA1601
Mirage 2000C 5-NJ/49, EC 1/5, Saudi Arabia, 1991 "Joan of Arc/Stork"
General Background
Designed as a light air-superiority fighter the Dassault Mirage 2000 was able to use the delta-wing shape again. Its wing is shaped is similar to the Mirage III but with slats and small canards. It is fly-by-wire so it can react to control changes much faster than a human.
The 2000 was chosen as the main fighter in the French Air Force inventory. It was also sold to several other countries despite having to compete with the F-16 and 18.
The Aircraft
During WWI Escadrille SPA26 "Stork" and SPA124 "Fayette" were formed. In 1920 SPA26 was integrated into 2nd Fighter Group. SPA124 Fayette joined the 2nd Fighter Group in 1921. In 1933 the 2 groups combined into GC II/6 in Rheims and SPA124 becomes "Jeanne d' Arc". In 1945, the GC II/6 is attached to the newly formed 5th Interceptor Squadron and in 1949 becomes GC I/5 the Vendee. Returning from Indo-China in the 1970's GC I/5 was stationed at Air Base 114 Orange-Caritat. They become EC.1/5 "the Vendee" and in July 1988 receive the first Mirage 2000C RDI.
EC = fighter wing GC = fighter group
EC = fighter wing GC = fighter group
Specifications :
Type: |
Mirage 2000C |
| Function: | fighter |
| First flight: | 1978 |
| Crew: | 1 |
| Engines: | (1) SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan |
| Thrust: | 14,462 lb (64.3 kN) |
| 21,385 lb (95.1 kN) with afterburner | |
Length: |
47.10 ft (14.36 m) |
| Height: | 17.02 ft (5.20 m) |
| Wing Area: | 441 ft2 (41.98 m2) |
| Wingspan: | 29.96 ft (9.13 m) |
| Empty Weight: | 16,534 lb (7,500 kg) Max.Weight: 17000 kg |
| Normal take-off weight: | 20,944 lb (9,500 kg) [fighter mission] |
| Max take-off weight: | 37,480 lb (17,000 kg) |
| Max payload: | 13,890 lb (6,300 kg) |
| Speed: | at altitude: 1,455 mph (2,340 km/h) at 36,090 ft (11,000 m), Mach 2.2 [sustained] |
| 1,550 mph (2,495 km/h), Mach 2.35 [dash] | |
| at sea level: 915 mph (1,470 km/h), Mach 1.2 | |
| Initial rate of climb: | 55,971 ft (17,076 m) / min |
| Service ceiling: | 54,000ft (16,460m) |
| Range: | typical: 380 nm (700 km) |
| ferry: 2,000 nm (3,704 km) | |
| Armament: | (2) 30-mm DEFA 554 cannons (125 rds ea) |
| External hard-points: | 9 |
| Air-to-Air Missile: | Matra Super 530, Matra 550 Magic, MICA |
| Air-to-Surface Missile: | AS.37, AS.39 Exocet, Wasp, ASMP cruise missile, AS30/ARMAT ARM |
| Bombs: | BAP 100, Durandal, BGL 1000 laser-guided, 250/400 kg GP, cluster bombs |
| Other: | ECM pods, rocket pods |
| Unit cost: | 23 million USD |
| Variants: | 14 |
| Known operators: | France (380) |
| Abu Dhabi (36) | |
| Egypt (20) | |
| Greece (40) | |
| India (49) | |
| Jordan | |
| Peru (12) | |
| Qatar (12) | |
| Taiwan (60) | |
| United Arab Emirates (30) |