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Dassault Mirage IIIE

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Dassault Mirage IIIE



Though now outclassed by the latest in Next Generation aircraft, the Mirage III - for a time - was the best European fighter in operation. The delta-wing system, a design proving quite capable early pioneering developments, offered up increased speed and improved handling at the cost of turning radius. As it was, the Mirage III series would eventually put the Dassault aircraft firm at the forefront of military aviation development across Europe.

The Mirage III series became the first European-produced aircraft to exceed Mach 2.0. Such was the potent system, fitted with the powerful SNECMA powerplant, that the French Air Force was quick to capitalize on orders when the aircraft was first unveiled. The single engine, single-seat fighter-bomber offered up advanced avionics and tracking capabilities at an affordable price, so much so in fact, that the system would be fielded in large quantities to overseas customers.

Initial Mirage III models were of the single-seat interceptor mold along with an available two-seat trainer. Later developments would produce the two-seat, strike-capable model and French-only nuclear-capable platforms. As the frontline fighter in the French Air Force, the Mirage III could provide military planners with an all-weather, all-altitude, multi-role fighter for use as both an offensive and defensive weapon.

The Israeli Air Force utilized the Mirage III to good effect in the Arab-Israeli Wars of the 1960's and 1970's. The aircraft in Israeli hands benefitted the Dassault firm with the kind of exposure that most any military firm would crave and overseas orders were quick to follow. Further development of the Mirage III base system produced the even more capable Mirage V series, though political pressure in France at the time forced a rerouting of these Israeli-bound Mirage V's from ever seeing service with the IAF. As such, the Israel moved along on its own to produce modified examples of the original French-based Mirage III's. These new variants were designated as "Kfir" which in itself would go on to produce further capable developments in its own right.

As a whole, the Mirage III broke new ground in many ways and brought Dassault company in contention with other military aviation heavyweights such as Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft would come to be highly regarded as one of the best jet fighters ever developed, thanks in large part to the aforementioned Israeli utilization of the platform. Regardless, the Mirage III series would see great successes for many burgeoning air force squadrons all over the globe and provide the foundation for future improvements to the system - which were in frontline service with French forces up until 2005.

Specifications (Mirage IIIE)
Mirage III-5 Risszeichnung.png

General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 15 m (49 ft 3.5 in)
* Wingspan: 8.22 m (26 ft 11 in)
* Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
* Wing area: 34.85 m² (375 ft²)
* Empty weight: 7,050 kg (15,600 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 13,500 kg (29,700 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× SNECMA Atar 09C turbojet

Performance

* Maximum speed: Mach 2.2 (2,350 km/h, 1,460 mph)
* Range: 2,400 km (1,300 NM, 1,500 mi)
* Service ceiling: 17,000 m (56,000 ft)
* Rate of climb: 83.3 m/s (16,400 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 387 kg/m² (79 lb/ft²)

Armament

* Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA 552 cannons with 125 rounds per gun
* Rockets: 2× Matra JL-100 drop tank/rocket pack, each with 19× SNEB 68 mm rockets and 66 US gallons (250 liters) of fuel
* Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders OR Matra R550 Magics plus 1× Matra R530, 2× AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles
* Bombs: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of payload on five external hardpoints, including a variety of bombs, reconnaissance pods or Drop tanks; French Air Force IIIEs through 1991, equipped for AN-52 nuclear bomb).
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jsf-35's avatar
PAKISTANI MIRAGE III N V COLOR SCHEME MUCH SIMILAR LIKE THIS .GRAY TONE WITH BLUE COLOR COMBINATION MORE DARK GREEN