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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0019.PDF
18-19 FLIGHT International, 4 January 1962 I MIRAGES SSFUL FAMILY OF EUROPEAN MILITARY AEROPLANES" it can have all-weather weapon equipment and fulfil operational roles, although it is normally used at reduced weights as a trainer (see table). The first B version was exhibited statically at the 1959 Paris Salon, and flew for the first time on October 21 of that year. A batch of 30 for the Armee de l'Air is on order. Principal production version is the Mirage II1C, the definitive multi-mission single-seater based on the II1A. Powerplant is the Atar 9C, which has a steel compressor and incorporates improve ments to the afterburner to improve reheat performance at altitude to give a thrust equivalent to 14,1101b at sea level. An optional performance-booster for use during certain high-altitude missions is an SEPR.844 rocket unit, with a thrust of 3,3721b at sea level or 3,7031b at 52,500ft. The complete rocket package is quickly re placeable by an additional fuel tank, and its propellants are nitric acid and TR-0 or TR-4 kerosine, fed by a turbopump driven by the Atar. Internal armament comprises a pack containing two DEFA 5-52 30mm guns, each with 125 rounds. Rate of fire can be varied between 1,100 and 1,500 rds/min per gun, and the muzzle velocity is 2,670ft/sec. In place of this pack may be fitted an additional fuel tank. External stores can be carried beneath each wing and on the centreline. These may comprise any of the following: tanks of 132, 176, 286 or 374 Imp gal; Matra combination tank/ rocket launchers; Matra R.530. Falcon, Sidewinder or AA.20 air-to-air guided weapons (the first-named will be standard in French service); the AS.30 air-to-surface missile; conventional or nuclear bombs; and a variety of heavy rockets, napalm tanks and reconnaissance capsules. In the nose is mounted an integrated radar fire-control providing for fully automatic missions at night or in adverse weather con ditions. The French equipment is the CSF Cyrano, but the Ferranti Airpass 2 also exists in a form fully compatible with the aircraft and is being offered as an alternative. The ejection seat is a Martin- Baker AM.4, licence-produced by Hispano Suiza. Further details of the I11C were contained in the full description published in Flight for April 22, 1960. The official total for orders for all types of Mirage 111 for the French Government is at present 430, and the production rate is nine per month. In fact, signed contracts so far account for only the three prototype Mirage Ills, the 10 pre-series IIIAs, and 100 IIICs for inventory service. Of the latter, approximately 45 have been constructed, and the first operational squadrons of the Armee de l'Air are working up at Dijon. Production of the II1C is now being phased out in favour of later versions, of which the most important is the HIE. The multi- mission potential of the E has been enhanced by "a number of new items of electronic equipment which permit the aircraft to penetrate enemy territory at low level under all weather conditions." One
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