The Dassault Mirage 4000 was a French prototype twinjet fighter aircraft developed by Dassault-Breguet from their Mirage 2000.
The Mirage 4000 was noticeably larger and heavier than the single engined Mirage 2000, the 4000 having two SNECMA M53-2 turbofans.
It also featured small canards above the engine air intakes and a true bubble canopy, compared to the Mirage 2000 and previous Mirages.
Despite the changes, the two aircraft remained similar, sharing the delta wing design, semi-circular air intakes, and general configuration.
The Mirage 4000 first flew on 9 March 1979.
It was financed as a private venture by Dassault.
The Mirage 4000 was comparable in size to the United States F-15 Eagle, and was designed to be both a long-range interceptor and a capable fighter-bomber.
In the early 1980s, Dassault ended the program shortly after the Saudis chose the Tornado as their preferred aircraft.
Iran was then lost as a potential customer after the coup against the Shah.
The French Air Force preferred to concentrate on the Mirage 2000, leaving Dassault with no customers.
Some of the expertise thus gained would later influence the Dassault Rafale.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
18.7 m (61 ft 4 in)
Wingspan
12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height
5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
Wing area
73 m2 (790 sq ft)
Gross weight
16,100 kg (35,494 lb) combat weight
Fuel capacity
Approx 11,000 l (2,900 US gal; 2,400 imp gal) internal fuel
Powerplant
2 × SNECMA M53-2 afterburning turbofan engines,
64.3 kN (14,500 lbf) thrust each dry,
95.1 kN (21,400 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed
2,445 km/h (1,519 mph, 1,320 kn) max level speed
Maximum speed
Mach 2.3
Maximum sustained speed
M2.2
Approach speed
260 km/h (160 mph; 140 kn)
Range
2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
Combat range
1,850 km (1,150 mi, 1,000 nmi) plus, with external tanks and recce pod
Service ceiling
20,000 m (66,000 ft)
Rate of climb
305 m/s (60,000 ft/min)
Time to altitude
15,000 m (49,213 ft) (M2) 3 minutes
Wing loading
220 kg/m2 (45 lb/sq ft) at combat weight
Armament
Guns
2x 30 mm (1.181 in) DEFA cannon with 125 rpg
Hardpoints
11 with a capacity of 8,000 kg (17,637 lb)
Other
up to 3x 2,500 l (660 US gal; 550 imp gal) drop tanks
