Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000N and 2000D
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Image:Mirage 2000 of French Air Force (reg. 362), static display, Radom AirShow 2005, Poland.jpg The Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000N is a variant of the Mirage 2000 designed for nuclear strike. It forms the core of the French land-based tactical nuclear deterrent. The Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000D is its conventional attack counterpart.
The Mirage 2000N was designed to French requirements for an aircraft to replace the older Mirage IVP. Dassault received a contract to build two prototypes. The aircraft first flew on the 3rd March 1986 and 74 aircraft were built up to 1993.
The Mirage 2000N is based on the Mirage 2000B two-seat trainer, but features considerable changes. The airframe was strengthened for low-level fight, and the aircraft was fitted with an Antilope 5 radar, which is used for terrain following, navigation and ground mapping, and which can follow terrain at 691 mph (1,112 km/h). Other avionic features are twin INS's and moving map displays for both the pilot and weapon systems officer. Weapons-wise, the Mirage 2000N can carry one ASMP medium-range nuclear missile, and can also carry two MATRA Magic AAM's for self defence. Other protection features include the Sabre jamming system and the Spirale chaff system. Because the extra seat decrease's range, a pair of drop tanks are carried.
The first batch of 30 aircraft for the French Air Force had a sole nuclear capability, and these were designated Mirage 2000N-K1. These did not have the Spirale chaff system, and carried a pair of AN.52 free-fall nuclear bombs before the ASMP was ready. The later batch of 44 aircraft were designated Mirage 2000N-K2. These had both a nuclear and conventional capability, and a full defensive fit. The K1 aircraft now have a limited conventional attack capability.
Dassault has also developed the Mirage 2000D, which is a development of the Mirage 2000N designed for long-range precision strikes with conventional weapons. This aircraft is exactly the same as the Mirage 2000N, but introduces support for conventional attack missiles such as the Apache and Scalp missiles, as well as the AASM weapons. The first aircraft, converted from the Mirage 2000N prototype, flew on the 19th February 1991, and the French Air Force ordered a total of 86 aircraft.
The Mirage 2000N due to its capabilities is not licensed for export and currently the French Air Force has 60 in its inventory.
Like the Mirage 2000N, the Mirage 2000D has had different capabilities throughout its production. The Mirage 2000D-R1 does not have the full weapons capability of the Mirage 2000D-R2, which features the Apache and Scalp missiles, the ATLIS II laser designation system, and the Samir self-protection fit.