Dassault Mirage 50

History

Dassault Aviation of France developed the Mirage 50 as the export successor to the in-service Mirage 5/IV attack aircraft family. The Mirage 5 has been in service with many global air forces, including France (50), Israel (61, as the IAI "Nesher" and Pakistan (112), and it continues to serve in a highly modernized form with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) The original request for the Mirage 50 was that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) required the aircraft to follow the established design lines and outstanding characteristics of the proven Mirage III model - a commitment that led to the current Mirage 5/V as described elsewhere on the page.

The embargo prevented the Mirage V from being delivered to Israel, but the country insisted on producing its own version (although it was unclear if this was backed by Dassault), dubbed the IAI Nesher, as detailed elsewhere on the page ? Place).

The Mirage 50 is an upgraded version of the Mirage 5 series of fighters.

The successor, the Phantom 50, featured a SNECMA Atar 9K-50 afterburner turbojet engine with 15,873 pounds of thrust (from which the Phantom 50 was named), and also upgraded its avionics for a truly modern multi-mission solution. The air intakes were slightly modified to accommodate the new engines, and a single Mirage IIIR production model was used as an improved prototype in the form of the Mirage 50 - the aircraft took off for the first time on April 15, 1975, and was first revealed at the Paris Air Show in 1979 Unveiled.

During testing, the "redesigned" Phantom III has improved performance and handling, while being able to carry more ammunition and use less runway during takeoff.

In terms of armament, the aircraft has 2 x 30mm ADEN autocannons mounted in internal pods, while several external hardpoints already support the circulation of air-to-air and air-to-ground ammunition in the usual range, many of the current Mirage IIIs / Mirage V operator. In this way, the Mirage 50 is a true multi-role solution capable of interception, 1v1 combat, airspace deterrence, general ground attack, long-range patrol and reconnaissance from the same airframe.

This aircraft retains the single-seat, single-engine layout established by the Mirage III line, as well as its delta-wing plan. The delta wing plan does not require a horizontal stabilizer. While the single-engine unit draws in from two semi-circular air intakes on either side of the fuselage, it exits through a single exhaust port below the rudder fins.

Internally, the aircraft radar is equipped with a Cyrano IVM multifunction unit, or can be replaced with an Agave series if required. The tricycle landing gear allows ground operation. At the rear of the fuselage is a single rudder

Chile becomes the first Mirage 50 export customer and commits to order 16 aircraft (designated "Mirage 50C" or "Mirage 50CH"), including two dedicated two-seat trainer airframes (designated "Mirage 50CH") "Mirage 50DC")" with a lower-rated Atar 9C-3 turbojet). The first part of the order includes eight former French Air Force Mirage VF (5F) platforms, refurbished and modernized for the customer, called "Phantom 50FG." Chilean inventory was eventually upgraded with the help of Israel to ENAER's local "Pantera" brand (detailed elsewhere on this site).

Venezuela has upgraded its legacy Mirage IIIEV and 5V platform fleet to the newer Mirage 50EV (also known as Mirage 50M) standard. Likewise, the Mirage 5DV model became "Mirage 50DV". The Venezuelan Air Force used about 18 Mirage 50s.

Ecuador currently (2019) operates only six Mirage 50 aircraft.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes