Case Study:The Mirage 2000-5,A Phoenix Rising?

A Mirage 2000-5 of the French Airforce(above)
The Dassault Mirage 2000-5 in Testflight
          By the late 1980s, the Mirage 2000 was beginning to age relative to the competition(the likeness of U.S. F16s), and export sales slumped.So Thomson-CSF began work on a privately funded update of the Mirage 2000C which was to be named the Mirage 2000-5. A two-seat Mirage 2000B prototype was extensively modified as the first Mirage 2000-5 prototype, and it first flew on October 24, 1990. A Mirage 2000C prototype was then reworked to a similar standard

The Features include:
1)The Thales multimode "Radar Doppler Multitarget" ("RDY" in its French acronym) a more powerful processor; improved defensive avionics; compatibility with the new Matra "Mica" AAM, which is available in both heat-seeking and active radar homing versions

2)A new five-display "glass cockpit" layout borrowed from the Rafale program( three-color MFDs, a dual-linked wide-angle HUD / head-level display). The RDY radar provides true multitarget tracking and can guide four Micas to different targets simultaneously.

3)The updated ICMS 2 countermeasures suite and the Samir DDM missile warning system. ICMS 2 incorporates a receiver and associated signal processing system in the nose for detection of hostile missile command data links. The aircraft’s self-protection equipment can be interfaced to a new programmable mission-planning and post-mission analysis ground system.

4)Targeting systems included the Thales TV/CT CLDP laser designation pod which provides the capability to fire laser-guided weapons by day and night.
A two-seater version was developed as well. The back-seater has the HUD but not the associated head-level display, and as with first-generation two-seaters, there are no built-in cannon (although cannon pods can be carried).

The old prototype Mirage 2000B was extensively modified to fly as the first next-generation "Mirage 2000-5", in October 1990.
The first single-seat Mirage 2000-5 flew in April 1991. Mirage 2000-5 variants are externally difficult to distinguish from first-generation Mirage 2000 variants, and possess the same SNECMA M53-P2 engine.

Dassault needed an order from the ADA to help promote foreign sales, and after some lobbying, in 1993 the ADA decided to upgrade 37 of their existing Mirage 2000s to 2000-5 specification as a stopgap before the arrival of the Rafale in ADA service. The upgraded aircraft were redesignated "Mirage 2000-5F", and became operational in 2000.

In 1992, the Taiwanese Air Force ordered 48 single-seat "Mirage 2000-5EIs" and 12 "Mirage 2000-5DI" trainers, with introduction of the first squadron in 1997 and the last fighters delivered in 1999. In 1994, Qatar ordered nine single-seat "Mirage 2000-5EDAs" and three "Mirage 2000-5DDA" trainers, with initial deliveries in late 1997.

Dassault then extended the improvements a bit further with the "Mirage 2000-9", which features an "RDY-2" radar, the high-power "Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU)" designed for the Rafale, and an improved countermeasures suite with a new lowband jammer. The RDY-2 is similar to the original RDY, but features two new air-to-ground modes, including a high-resolution "synthetic aperture radar (SAR)" imaging mode.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE, with the machines specifically ordered by Abu Dhabi) was the launch customer, ordering 30 new-build aircraft and 33 upgrades, with initial deliveries in late 2002. The UAE Mirage 2000-9s are well-equipped for the strike mission, as they are being provided with the "Shehab" laser targeting pod, a variant of the Thales Damocles pod, and the Nahar navigation pod, complementing the air-to-ground modes of the RDY-2 radar. The UAE is also obtaining the "Black Shahine" cruise missile, which is basically a variant of the APACHE.

In 2000, Greece ordered a batch of 25 "Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2" fighters, which are essentially Mirage 2000-9s, including 15 new-build aircraft and 10 upgrades from their existing Mirage 2000EGs. Dassault is also competing for a Brazilian deal with the Mirage 2000-9. Ironically, Dassault so far has had absolutely no luck promoting the Rafale on the export market, while the less-expensive new Mirage 2000s with Rafale technology are selling well.

Another piece of Rafale technology being ported to the Mirage 2000 is the Thales AIDA visual identification pod, which includes infrared and optical sensors for IFF and targeting. It will be used by ADA Mirage 2000-5Fs.

Further development of the second-generation type is expected to include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; a Joint Tactical Information Datalink System (JTIDS); compatibility with helmet-mounted sights for off-boresight heat-seeking missiles; and unspecified long-range sensors.

The Mirage 2000-5 is a multi-role single-seater or two seater fighter. It differs from its predecessors mainly in its avionics; its new multiple target air-to-ground and air-to-air firing procedures linked to the use of RDY radar and its new visualization and control system. As a multi-role combat aircraft with versatile air-to-air mission capabilities, the Mirage 2000-5 integrates the state-of-the-art of the know-how based on the experience gained from the previous Mirage 2000 versions (Mirage 2000 DA, Mirage 2000 E, Mirage 2000 D) and is designed for the most-advanced armaments.

Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2
Dassault extended the improvements of the Mirage 2000-5 a bit further with the Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2, which is an enhanced, fully multirole version of the Mirage 2000-5. It is currently the most advanced version of the Mirage 2000.
Features:
Thales RDY-2 radar. The RDY-2 radar is similar in configuration to the original RDY, but features two new air-to-ground modes, including a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging mode with a moving target indicator (MTI) capability to provide an all-weather, day/night targeting capability. The radar features low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) operation, with the output pattern varying in a seemingly random pattern that prevents an adversary RWR from recognizing that it has been targeted.

The high-power Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU) designed for the Rafale.

A new Thales Totem 3000 INS with ring-laser gyros and GPS capability, providing much greater accuracy, higher reliability, and shorter alignment time replaces the older ULISS 52 system. It works in conjunction with a terrain-following system.

An improved, classified ICMS 3 digital countermeasures suite.

An on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS).

An optional SATURN secure Radio

The cockpit was updated as well, retaining the same general layout but with larger color displays and other modernizations. The Thales Topsight helmet-mounted display / sighting system is offered as an option.The Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2 includes a datalink for the targeting of MICA ER missiles and can carry the Damocles targeting pod.
Future Upgrades: Thales AIDA visual identification pod; technology used in the Rafale will be also integrated into the Mirage 2000, including infrared and optical sensors for IFF and targeting. It will be used by AdA Mirage 2000-5Fs. Further development of the second-generation type is expected to include a GPS receiver, MIDS datalink, and unspecified long-range sensors.

Also featuring theTopsight E helmet-mounted sight
Topsight E displays critical information, protects the pilot, and provides communications. In the display of critical information, Topsight E has three main functions:
Visual target designation by transmitting the target’s line of sight to the nav/attack system. Used with modern missiles, Topsight allows pilots to perform wide off-boresight target designation.
Visual target acquisition using reverse cueing mode where the display symbology guides the pilot’s eyes to the target tracked by the aircraft sensors. The nav/attack system provides spatial data.
Situational awareness based on concise display of vital information (tactical, navigation, safety, etc.).

However the now ageing Mirage 2000 is scheduled to be replaced in French service by the Dassault Rafale, which became operational with the French Air Force on June 27, 2006.