Dassault Mirage III Strike Fighter (1956)
The Mirage III series proved a commercial success with advertising of the aircrafts exceptional performance courtesy of the Israeli Air Force.
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. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Dassault Mirage III
Strike Fighter
Country of Origin: France
Manufacturer: Dassault - France
Initial Year of Service: 1956
Production: 1,422
Focus Model: Dassault Mirage IIIC
Crew: 1
Length: 48.39ft (14.75m)
Width: 26.97ft (8.22m)
Height: 14.76ft (4.50m)
Weight (Empty): 14,495lbs (6,575kg)
Weight (MTOW): 27,999lbs (12,700kg)
Powerplant: 1 x SNECMA Atar 9C turbojet engine with afterburn generating 13,228lb.
Maximum Speed: 1,312mph (2,112kmh; 1,140kts)
Maximum Range: 1,000miles (1,610km)
Service Ceiling: 65,617ft (20,000m; 12.4miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 16,400 feet per minute (4,999m/min)
Hardpoints: 3
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
2 x 30mm cannons
OPTIONAL:
3,000lbs or external ordnance that can include:
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
1 x Matra R.530 air-to-air missile
Variants:
M.D.550 Mirage - Initial Prototype Model Designation; fitted with 2 x 2,160lb Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engines.
Mirage II - Larger proposed variant of the M.D.550; abandoned.
Mirage III - Prototype Variant fitted with 1 x Atar 101G-1 afterburning turbojet.
Mirage IIIA - Pre-Production Model fitted with Atar 9B 13,228lb thrust powerplant.
Mirage IIIB - Two-Seat Trainer Conversion Model.
Mirage IIIC - Single-Seat Interceptor Model.
Mirage IIIE - Single-Seat Strike Fighter
Mirage IIIR - Reconnaissance Conversion Model.
Mirage 5 - Further Development of the Mirage III series.
IAI Kfir - Israeli licensed-produced Mirage 5 fitted with General Electric J79 afterburning turbofan engine.
IAI Kfir C2 - Improved Base Kfir model produced in Israel.
ENAER Pantera - Chilean Model Designation of the Mirage III series.
SABCA Elkan - Belgium-produced Model of the ENAER Pantera for Chilean use based on the Mirage III series.
Denel Cheetah - South African-produced Mirage III.
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