Dassault Mirage 2000D/N |
Militarymedia.net | In 1979 Dassault was contracted to manufacture two Mirage 2000P (Penetration) prototypes intended to replace the aging Mirage IVP in the nuclear strike role. Later called the 2000N (Nucleaire), this trainer version of the 2000B features a reinforced fuselage to cope with high, low-level subsonic flight and an Antilope 5 terrain tracking radar that provides automatic terrain following up to 91 m at speeds of up to 1,112 km/h.
The main armament is the 850 kg Aerospatiale ASMP tactical attack missile. It has a dual yield of 150- or 300 kT and a range of more than 80 km from low-altitude launches.
The 2000N achieved initial operational capability in July 1988 and was built in two versions: the special nuclear strike N-K1 (31 built) and the N-K2 with additional conventional strike capability (46 built).
Dassault Mirage 2000D/N |
The delay with the Rafale program resulted in the requirement for more aircraft for conventional attack only. The resulting 2000N (N Prime) flew in prototype form in 1990. The designation was later changed to 2000D (Diversified) and 75 units were made for delivery starting in 1993. It differed from the 2000N by having an improved countermeasure suite and a cockpit system with more arms. integrated on stick and throttle control. Key to much of the 2000D's precision strike capability is the PDCLT/TV/thermal imaging pod laser designator which is carried under the right air intake, this allows the 2000D to aim weapons such as the AS 30L laser-guided missile or the BGL 1000 laser-guided bomb. In 2001 Armee de l'Air fielded three squadrons of 2000D each (all based in Nancy and 2000N (two units in Luxeuil and one in Istres).
Dassault Mirage 2000D/N |
In 1997 Abu Dhabi ordered 30 of the newly built Mirage 2000-9 long-range attack aircraft. Later designated 2000-5 Mk II, this will join all 33 examples remaining from the Abu Dhabi initial batch (including the 2000D-DA trainer) upgraded to the 2000-9 standard.