Dassault Mirage G

History of Dassault Phantom G

The idea of ??a large variable-sweep wing aircraft was already in play in the 1920s and 1930s, but it wasn't until the Germans tried the Messerschmitt Me P. 1101 fighter project that they saw enough practical progress (this is detailed elsewhere description) location). The plane was never taken into the air as it was still in development when it was captured by the Americans and dissected accordingly.

The design provided much-needed data and analysis for future projects that were eventually adopted by the West, and had a considerable impact on the Bell X-5. Unlike the P.1101, which can only change the wing sweep before flight, the X-5 can do aerial wing sweep when necessary.

The execution of wings with variable geometry became possible when technology finally caught up with engineering theory. By the end of World War II (1939-1945), both turbojets and rocket propulsion were the way of the future.

Swept wings are critical to the aircraft's functionality in high-speed operations, while non-swept wings are better suited for handling in the low-speed envelope. To date, no frame has been able to change its wing angle in mid-air.

The prototype of the Phantom G was unveiled in June 1967, but due to technical problems and design modifications, the first flight did not take place until November 18 of that year. The project was also delayed by the loss of the Phantom F1 prototype, which crashed and forced a review of the fully articulated rear wing used. During the initial "leap," the Phantom G did not use its wing-sweep capabilitythe main aircraft was held in a fully forward position to simplify testing. This marks the Mirage G as the first swing plane of European origin to fly. On November 24, the test aircraft reached over Mach 1 with the wings pulled to a 55-degree position.

In December, when the wing returned to its final position, Mach 2 was reached. Dozens of flights were made in mid-1968, and instrument modifications were made as problems arose - the Phantom G was in a state of constant development.

Finally, despite the progress shown by the Mirage G program, there has not been much interest in developing the aircraft as a front-line fighter for the French Air Force and Navy. Government funding has been the main focus of such open-ended projects, and the authorities do not like the prospect of developing French fighter jets with foreign engines.

Additionally, the twin-engine design was seen as a more viable entry point for improved survivability, performance, and operating range.

While any real hope of adopting the Mirage G ended in 1968, Dassault continued its testing phase into the early 1970s. The only prototype was eventually lost in January 1971 (its pilot ejected safely), ending their days in the air.

The last ray of hope for the Mirage G came from a 1968 French government initiative that called for two twin-engine, nuclear-capable strike fighters. Dassault worked on these under the Mirage G4 moniker until revised requirements made the pair a dedicated interceptor type. Therefore, they were renamed "G8-01" and "G8-02".

The G8-02 is different in that it is a single-seat design. Both prototypes were eventually flown, the G8-01 in May 1971 and the G8-02 in July 1972, but that move also failed, and the Phantom G line disappeared from French aviation history.

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