One of the Dassault Mirage 2000N jet aircraft of the French Ramex Delta Display Team flying at the 2015 Royal International Air
The Dassault Mirage 2000N is a variant of the Mirage 2000 designed for nuclear strike. It forms the core of the French air-based tactical nuclear deterrent. The Mirage 2000N is based on the Mirage 2000B two-seat trainer, but features considerable changes. The airframe was strengthened for low-level flight and fitted with an Antilope 5 radar, which is used for terrain following, navigation and ground mapping, and which can follow terrain at 1,112 km/h (691 mph).[citation needed] Other avionic features are twin INS's and moving map displays for both the pilot and weapon systems officer. The Mirage 2000N can carry one ASMP medium-range nuclear missile, and can also carry two MATRA Magic AAM's for self-defence.[citation needed] Other protection features include the Sabre jamming system and the Spirale chaff system. Because the extra seat decreases range, a pair of drop tanks are carried. Since the Mirage 2000N's standard weapon was the ASMP, which was carried on the centerline pylon, that meant it couldn't carry a centerline tank, but a distinctive big 2,000 liter (530 US gallon) underwing drop tank with a bulbous nose was developed to more than compensate[citation needed] The first batch of 30 aircraft for the French Air Force had a sole nuclear capability, and these were designated Mirage 2000N-K1. These did not have the Spirale chaff system, and carried a pair of free-fall nuclear bombs before the ASMP was ready. The later batch of 44 aircraft were designated Mirage 2000N-K2. These had both a nuclear and conventional capability, and a full defensive fit. The K1 aircraft now have a limited conventional attack capability. Patrol Ramex Delta is the only patrol tactics presentation of the French Air Force. It is composed of two Mirage 2000N and fighter squadron personnel 2/4 "La Fayette" located in Istres, belonging to the Strategic Air Forces which ensures the permanence of nuclear deterrence, and capacity conventional bombing.
Size: 2834px × 2267px
Location: RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2000n, air, aircraft, dassault, delta, flying, force, french, international, jet, mirage, ramex, riat, royal, tattoo
