Super-Mirage
| Super-Mirage | |
|---|---|
| |
| Super-Mirage prototype 001 in the late 1970s. | |
| Role | Interceptor, air superiority fighter, Strike fighter |
| National origin | Sieuxerr |
| Manufacturer | Dassault |
| Designer | Dassault |
| First flight | 1982 |
| Introduction | 1987 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Sieuxerrian Air Force Sieuxerrian Navy |
| Produced | 1987–present |
| Number built | 300~ |
| Developed from | Mirage-Menace |
The Dassault Super-Menace is a twin or single-seat, twinjet, interceptor, air superiority fighter and Strike fighter used by the Sieuxerrian Navy and Sieuxerrian Air Force. Developed from the Mirage-Menace, the Super-Mirage features a matured design, improved sensors, upgrade capacity, and armament. It shares some design features, a common engine, and other similar parts, allowing for relaxed logistical need to maintain the aicraft between the air force and the navy.
Design
Overview
Cockpit
Engines
The Super-Mirage is equipped with two Snecma M53 afterburning turbofan engines. Equipped with the improved M53-P2 found in the Mirage-Menace and the Dassault Mirage 2000. From 2005 to 2011, the entire fleet was upgraded with the Snecma M88|M88-10 engine, based off the M88-2 engine used by the Rafale, generating 70 kN (15,500 lbf) and 100 kN (25,000 lbf) (with afterburner). The engine greatly improved handling of the aircraft at speed.
Weaponry
The Menace is equipped with two 30mm GIAT 30 revolver cannons with selectable rates of fire of 300 rpm to 2,500 rpm. They are mounted underneath the intakes for the engines, there are 125 rounds per gun available.
The two major combat variants, C and D, are able to use all short and medium range air-to-air missiles in service. However distinctions start between the D and C. The D is a dedicated strike and long-range interception fighter, and to fulfill its interceptor role, it carries the MAAL-66, long range air-to-air missile. It is able to use these missiles due to its modified radar and presence of the WSO. The single seat cannot use the MAAL-66, but they can use the newer Meteor missile, giving the single seat aircraft long-range interception.
Avionics
The Super-Mirage uses a derivative of the Thomson-CSF Giraffe radar from the Menace. It achieves upwards of 165km range against comparable fighter-sized objects with over 270km range against large bomber-sized objects. It has multi-target tracking abilities. In the mid-2000s, apart of a major overhaul, the older mechanically scanned radar arrays were replaced by electronically scanned active radar arrays.
Operational history
Operators
Current
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
- Length: 19.1 m ()
- Wingspan: 11.2 m ()
- Height: 5.8 m ()
- Powerplant: ×
Performance
- Maximum speed:
- High altitude:
- Low altitude: