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System characteristics

Mirage 2000
© Dassault Aviation – F. Robineau
Characteristics and performance of the system

The Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 is available in single and twin-seater versions. With the exception of the internal guns (ventral pod for the twin-seater), the twin-seater Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 keeps all the operational capabilities of the single-seater, including the Mach 2.2 capability.

The twin-seater, used for pilots' conversion and advanced training, can thus very easily be integrated into a combat deployment, and be operated by one or two crewmembers.
Built around a modular and highly adaptive architecture, the Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 system is based on high performance internal sensors such as:

  • The RDY 2 radar manufactured by the Thales company is a latest-generation look-up / look-down long-range radar. Its ability to switch automatically in the detection, tracking and fire-control modes makes it unrivalled for air-to-air missions. Leading technical characteristics are as follows:
    • In air-defence mission, the RDY 2 multimode radar can simultaneously detect up to 24 targets at all altitudes.
    • It can track up to eight targets simultaneously and track four priority targets automatically in both the vertical and horizontal planes. It can evaluate the effects of beyond-visual-range attacks.
    • In air-to-surface mission, it is capable to identify accurately fixed or mobile targets, and to designate them to the weapons.
    • The RDY 2 radar satisfies the essential requirements of modern aerial combat, including firing against multiple targets. The radar employs three pulse repetition frequencies (PRF), with automatic monitoring frequencies for target detection purposes. The system is effective at all altitudes and ensures early detection, coupled with continuous target tracking of a very high standard.
    • The RDY 2 radar is designed to use capabilities in the areas of reconnaissance based on high-resolution images.
  • A laser gyro, GPS-coupled, inertial system featuring a high level of reliability, accuracy and a short alignment time (on ground alert, as well as in flight).
  • A fully integrated internal countermeasures system capable of detecting, identifying and localising the most dangerous air-to-air and ground-to-air threats with the highest accuracy; this system includes multiple jamming and decoying capabilities. Thanks to interferometric sensors, the localisation accuracy provides the option of designating ground-to-air targets to weapons during a SEAD mission.
  • A multifunction data link system.

To assist the pilot in the management of his mission, and to ease reconfigurations, the "Glass Cockpit" technology has been adapted for the Mirage 2000-5 Mk2.

The instrument panel includes 5 displays, among which 3 are color displays. The central screen is mainly dedicated to the tactical situation display. In between this screen and the Head-Up display, another screen -collimated to infinity - displays the main sensor image (radar or laser designation pod). This unique display layout allows the pilot to shift instantly from head-up flying to internal and external monitoring.

Among the other major evolutions of the Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, one can mention:

  • A modular avionics concept.
  • New larger lateral displays.
  • New back-seat colour display repeater.
  • Helmet-mounted sight.
  • Automatic terrain-following system based on a digital terrain file.
  • Digital map on a head-down display.
  • An aircraft-to-missile datalink with an increased number of channels.
  • A discrete multimode datalink system.
  • The new Damocles laser designation pod featuring:
    • 3-5µm infrared imagery,
    • increased laser range.
  • A Flir imager integrated into the Damocles pylon.
  • On-board oxygen generation system.
  • Combined air-to-air and air-to-ground configurations.
  • New multi-channel recording system.
  • Increased maximum take off weight (17.5 t).
  • Very long range stand-off air-to-ground missiles.
  • The introduction of the IR Mica missile.

Thanks to its modular avionics and to the flexibility of its man-machine interface, the Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 offers its users the highest flexibility and evolution capability.