Dassault Aviation
Dassault Mirage 2000
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French single‑engine, multirole fighter aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation in the late 1970s. Its design originated from the Mirage III family, but it embraced a modern delta wing and fly‑by‑wire flight control system, making it one of the first production fighters to rely entirely on electronic control for stability. The prototype first flew on 17 March 1978 and entered service with the French Air Force in 1984, quickly proving its versatility in air‑to‑air, air‑to‑ground, and reconnaissance missions.
Key features include a lightweight SNECMA M53 turbofan engine delivering 13,700 lbf thrust, a digital avionics suite with radar‑warning receiver, and the Thomson‑Arrest radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously. The aircraft can carry a wide range of weapons, from Magic II and Meteor beyond‑visual‑range missiles to laser‑guided bombs and nuclear ordnance, and its modular hardpoints support various mission kits.
Throughout its career the Mirage 2000 has served in more than a dozen nations, participating in conflicts such as the Gulf War, Kosovo, and operations over Libya. Its combination of agility, high‑speed performance, and adaptable systems cemented its reputation as a benchmark for fourth‑generation fighters and a cornerstone of modern French aerospace capability.
Key features include a lightweight SNECMA M53 turbofan engine delivering 13,700 lbf thrust, a digital avionics suite with radar‑warning receiver, and the Thomson‑Arrest radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously. The aircraft can carry a wide range of weapons, from Magic II and Meteor beyond‑visual‑range missiles to laser‑guided bombs and nuclear ordnance, and its modular hardpoints support various mission kits.
Throughout its career the Mirage 2000 has served in more than a dozen nations, participating in conflicts such as the Gulf War, Kosovo, and operations over Libya. Its combination of agility, high‑speed performance, and adaptable systems cemented its reputation as a benchmark for fourth‑generation fighters and a cornerstone of modern French aerospace capability.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 15.33 metre
- Height
- 5.3 metre
Performance
- Service Ceiling
- 17100 metre
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 601
- First Flight
- 1978
- Service Entry
- 1984
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- Dassault Aviation
- Developer
- Dassault Aviation
- Operator
-
Egyptian Air Force Qatar Air Force United Arab Emirates Air Force French Air Force Brazilian Air Force Hellenic Air Force Peruvian Air Force Indian Air Force Taiwan
- Wikidata ID
- Q200038