Azrayen ED Translator



Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lug's fortress Posts: 3,599

Mirage 2000 digest: read this if you aren't clear on what it is/does!



There seems to be many in the community who are a bit confused about what exactly is/does a Mirage 2000.

I though a little digest would do good. Let's try this.



Disclaimer: this post should in no way be considered as "official" or linked to Razbam; I'm not on Razbam's payroll, however enthousiast I'm of their choice of aircraft for their first DCS module.

All data below describe real life aircraft. What will be implemented in DCS is up to the editor.



1] Mirage 2000 vs other Mirages:

We are talking about the Mirage 2000 . Designed late 70s. First flight 1978. IOC (french air force) 1984.



Initially Dassault Aviation had two "brother" projects:

The "little one" = the

The "big one" = the

Due to budget constraints, political choices & military requirement, only the little one was mass-produced.



There were numerous other Mirage families in the past, most of them deltas (Mirage III & derivative, Mirage IV) but not all (Mirage F1).

Anyway: the Mirage 2000 is the most recent Mirage family, and it's a brand new design, from scratch (even if a delta looks like a delta):

New engine. New airframe. First Dassault's fighter to get "full" FBW technology (all axis, full authority) allowing for an unstable aerodynamic design (allowing far more maneuverability).

(I'm aware that the Wikipedia english article describes the aircraft as " based on the Mirage III" but I disagree. Based on is misleading, it leads to think it's a variant, which is wrong)



So let's not be confused, this is a totally different bird than, for example, the ones who fought in the Israeli skies or above the Falklands/Malvinas.

The first combat missions for the Mirage 2000 took place during the Gulf war (1991) with the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force).





2] Mirage 2000 vs Mirage 2000:

The Mirage 2000 is in fact a large family of aircraft; some capabilities differ notably between variants, so it's important to get it right, here.

You may compare to the F-16, in fact. For example you can't say that because the recent F-16C block 52 is AMRAAM capable, then the AMRAAM should be included if you're bringing the very early F-16A into DCS. It's just not the same.



What RAZBAM is introducing to DCS is a Mirage 2000C RDI S5. 2000 C : This is the first variant of the Mirage 2000 to go into service. It's a single-seat interceptor, C stands for Chasseur (Fighter) variant. So we don't get a twin-seater.

There is one more thing to know: two sub-variants exist of the 2000C: The RDM one. S1 to S3 (this is the avionics standard or the "block" of the aircraft if you prefer). Aircraft number 1 to 37. Equipped with RDM (Radar Doppler Multifunction) radar and M53-5 engine. The RDI one. S4 (aircraft # 38 to 74) and S5 (aircraft # 75 to 124). The last one is the one implemented by Razbam .

Improvments (in short) are: new radar and associated combat system, new missile, new engine variant (more powerful) M53-P2.

RDI is the radar name (Radar Doppler Impulse). It's the second generation of radar for the Mirage 2000. It was fielded in 1987 and is an air-to-air specialized radar.

The RDI is better than the previous RDM in its air-to-air role, but it also looses some capabilities (modes) not linked air-to-air. As such, if an older Mirage 2000C RDM could use the Exocet, a newer (and more efficient fighter) Mirage 2000C RDI cannot.

It was a choice at the time, driven by the fact that the main customer (French air force) didn't need so much air-to-ground or air-to-surface capabilities: its needs were fulfilled by other dedicated aircraft such as the French/Brit Jaguar.

Really, it was a matter of making a better fighter, with no money/time spent on mud tasks. Upgrades brang NCTR and enhanced ECCM capabilities.

RDI over RDM = Much improved range + better look-down/shoot-down capability + Ability to shoot the newer & better Super 530 D (fox 1) missile (it replaces the older/less efficient Super 530F ).



In its main air-to-air role, the aircraft can employ its Cannons (2x 30mm), Fox1 (Super 530D) and Fox2 (Magic II) missiles.

In its secondary air-to-ground role, it also can employ its cannons + carry unguided bombs (Mk-82s, Belougas... etc.) or unguided rockets, or GBU-12s (external designation required, no pod); in principle, no more than one type of air-to-ground weapon (+cannons) can be loaded for a flight (avionics limitation).

There are other "main" variants of the Mirage 2000. In short (from older to newer):

: This is the first variant of the Mirage 2000 to go into service. It's a single-seat interceptor, C stands for (Fighter) variant. So we don't get a twin-seater. There is one more thing to know: two sub-variants exist of the 2000C: There are other "main" variants of the Mirage 2000. In short (from older to newer): Mirage 2000B: two-seat operational conversion trainer variant (a limited-capabilities twin seater version of the 2000C for the french air force).

Mirage 2000E and derivative (H, P...) : E stands for Export . All are based on the French 2000C with RDM(+) radar; they equip overseas customers (Egypt, India, Peru, UAE, Greece....) and are able to carry the Atlis TGP (day-only). Single seat and dual seat airframes. With their RDM-based avionics, some are capable of shooting the Exocet anti-ship missile, or (perhaps - no definitive proof) the ARMAT anti-radar missile.

. All are based on the French 2000C with RDM(+) radar; they equip overseas customers (Egypt, India, Peru, UAE, Greece....) and are able to carry the Atlis TGP (day-only). Single seat and dual seat airframes. With their RDM-based avionics, some are capable of shooting the anti-ship missile, or (perhaps - no definitive proof) the anti-radar missile. Mirage 2000N: two-seat nuclear strike variant; french air force only.

Mirage 2000D: two-seat conventional attack variant, developed from the Mirage 2000N; french air force only. Able to carry TGP.

Mirage 2000-5s and -9s: Think of those as MLU-upgraded or MLU-level newly-built Mirage 2000s. Much more modern systems than the previous variants. E.g. RDY radar, numerous MFDs. 2000-5F is a dedicated air-to-air fighter, single seat, in service with the french air force only. This is the first "fox 3 shooter" variant (MICA EM) . other 2000-5s and 2000-9s are new variants for export customers (Taiwan, Qatar, UAE). They come in both single seat and dual seat airframes.



Hope this helps



++

Az' Hi,There seems to be many in the community who are a bit confused about what exactly is/does a Mirage 2000.I though a little digest would do good. Let's try this.We are talking about the Mirage. Designed late 70s. First flight 1978. IOC (french air force) 1984.Initially Dassault Aviation had two "brother" projects:The "little one" = the Mirage 2000 ; think of it as a French F-16 or MiG-29.The "big one" = the Mirage 4000 ; think of it as a French F-15 or Su-27.Due to budget constraints, political choices & military requirement, only the little one was mass-produced.There were numerous other Mirage families in the past, most of them deltas (Mirage III & derivative, Mirage IV) but not all (Mirage F1).Anyway: the Mirage 2000 is the most recent Mirage family, and it's a, from scratch (even if a delta looks like a delta):New engine. New airframe. First Dassault's fighter to get "full" FBW technology (all axis, full authority) allowing for an unstable aerodynamic design (allowing far more maneuverability).So let's not be confused, this is a totally different bird than, for example, the ones who fought in the Israeli skies or above the Falklands/Malvinas.The first combat missions for the Mirage 2000 took place during the Gulf war (1991) with the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force).The Mirage 2000 is in fact a large family of aircraft; some capabilities differ notably between variants, so it's important to get it right, here.You may compare to the F-16, in fact. For example you can't say that because the recent F-16C block 52 is AMRAAM capable, then the AMRAAM should be included if you're bringing the very early F-16A into DCS. It's just not the same.What RAZBAM is introducing to DCS is aHope this helps++Az'

__________________ Last edited by Azrayen; 03-01-2016 at 10:15 PM . Reason: typo + adding FBW & disclaimer