Dassault Mirage 4000

History

In order to develop a penetrating fighter-bomber and long-range low-altitude interceptor based on the successful Mirage 2000 airframe, the French company Dassault developed the program for the Mirage "4000" as a private company with these companies Compete like America's McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Overall, the design mimics the form and function of the previous model, but stands out from the larger size. The aircraft continued the Dassault standard, using a delta-wing main aircraft, a single vertical tail and semi-circular air intakes running along the sides of the fuselage.

After completing the prototype, the aircraft made its maiden flight on March 9, 1979.

The Mirage 4000 set out to develop a different type of aircraft than the Mirage 2000 that preceded it. The original was a multi-role fighter with a single turbofan engine, nine weapon mounts, and limited rear visibility due to the bulge of the fuselage spine.

It reaches speeds in excess of 1,500 mph at high altitudes (with reduced performance in the lower flight envelope) and has an achievable upper limit of service close to 59,000 feet. As a larger and heavier platform, the Phantom 4000 features two side-by-side engines to help improve performance, maximum reach, climb height and battlefield survivability.

The raised fuselage spine was eliminated, and a "bubble" canopy replaced the original - significantly improving visibility outside the cockpit. The clean, sharp lines in the new product continue Dassault's approach to fighter jets during the Cold War (1947-1991).

Engine pairing includes 2 SNECMA M53-2 afterburner turbofans, each outputting 18,740 lbs of thrust. This propelled the plane to a speed of 1,520 miles per hour and a reachable altitude of 66,000 feet.

Later, during its development phase, the aircraft was converted to the M53-5 19,378 lb thrust (x2) turbofan engine.

In terms of dimensions, the Mirage 4000 measures 18.7 meters in length, 12 meters in wingspan and 5.8 meters in height. Its curb weight is 29,000 pounds. By comparison, the Mirage 2000 has an overall length of 14.3 meters, a wingspan of 9 meters and a height of 5.2 meters.

Although never armed, the larger aircraft is believed to use short-, medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM) as well as air-to-surface missiles (ASM) . , guided munitions and conventionally delivered bombs in its 11 above the mount point. Provisions for fuel tanks will also be included.

The interior of the aircraft is set up to carry 2 x 30mm DEFA guns for close range work.

One of the main customers initially targeted by the Mirage 4000 program was Saudi Arabia. However, the country ultimately decided to make the U.S.

F-15 its primary multi-role strike platform, leaving the Mirage 4000 program with no potential buyers even locally, as the French Air Force was already working on the Mirage 2000.

When the program was discontinued in the 1980s, the only airworthy prototype, the Mirage 4000, was the only realization. However, this airframe later proved to have an impact on the development of the Dassault Rafale fourth-generation fighter, as it was used to evaluate composite materials in aircraft manufacturing, test fly-by-wire digital controls, evaluate computer-aided design, and more.

It was also modified again to carry the M53 P2 turbofan engine, which favors the development of the Rafale.

Specification

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