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The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French single-seat air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft built by Dassault Aviation. More than 700 F1s have been produced.
Mirage F1
Moroccan Dassault Mirage F1CH at Châteaudun (LFOC), France
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Dassault Aviation
First flight 23 December 1966
Introduced 1973
Primary users French Air Force
Iraqi Air Force
Spanish Air Force
Royal Moroccan Air Force
Number built >700
Developed from Dassault Mirage III
Design and development
French Air Force Mirage F1
Dassault designed the Mirage F1 as the successor to its Mirage III and Mirage 5 fighters. Unlike its predecessors, it has a swept wing mounted high on the fuselage, as well as a conventional tail surface.
The first prototype, which was developed by Dassault using its own funds, made its maiden flight on 23 December 1966.
The type was officially accepted by the French Air Force in May 1967, at which time three further prototypes were ordered. With the greater thrust of its afterburning SNECMA Atar 9K-50 turbojet, the F1 easily outclassed the Mirage III.
Although it has a smaller wingspan than the Mirage III, the F1 nevertheless proved to be clearly superior to its predecessor. It can carry up to 40% more fuel, has a shorter take-off run, a superior range in lo-lo missions, and better maneuverability.
In order to comply with the French Air Force's requirement for an all-weather interceptor, the first production Mirage F1C was equipped with a Thomson-CSF Cyrano IV monopulse radar. The later Cyrano IV-1 version added a limited look-down capability.
The Mirage F1 entered French Air Force service in May 1973 when the first production version was delivered. Initially, the aircraft was only armed with two 30 mm internal cannons, but in 1976 the Matra R530 medium-range air-to-air missile was released for use. A year later, the R550 Magic followed. About the same time, the American AIM-9 Sidewinder became part of the Mirage F1's armament, after the Hellenic Air Force requested integration of the Sidewinder on its own Mirage F1CG fighters.
The 79 aircraft of the next production run were delivered during the period March 1977 to December 1983. These were of the Mirage F1C-200 version with a fixed refuelling probe, which required an extension of the fuselage by 7 cm.
The Mirage F1 served as the main interceptor of the French Air Force until the Dassault Mirage 2000 entered service.
[edit] Variants
* Mirage F1CE : Export version of the Mirage F1C for Spain. 45 built.
* Mirage F1CG : Export version of the Mirage F1C for Greece. 40 built.
* Mirage F1CH : Export version of the Mirage F1C for Morocco. 30 built.
* Mirage F1CJ : Export version of the Mirage F1C for Jordan. 17 built.
* Mirage F1CK : Export version of the Mirage F1C for Kuwait. 18 built.
* Mirage F1CK-2 : Nine F1Cs were sold to Kuwait as part of a follow up order.
* Mirage F1CZ : Export version of the Mirage F1C for South Africa. 16 built.
[edit] Mirage F1B
The French Air Force also ordered 20 Mirage F1B, a two-seat operational conversion trainer; these were delivered between October 1980 and March 1983. The extra seat and controls added only 30 cm to the length of the fuselage, but at the cost of less internal fuel capacity and the loss of the internal cannon.
The empty weight increased by 200 kg, partly due to the addition of two Martin-Baker Mk 10 zero-zero ejection seats, in place of the Mk 4 used in the F1C, which had a forward speed limitation.
In all other aspects the F1B is a combat-capable aircraft and it can compensate for the lack of internal space by carrying external cannon pods and fuel tanks.
* Mirage F1BE : Export version of the Mirage F1B for Spain. Six built.
* Mirage F1BJ : Export version of the Mirage F1B for Jordan. Two built.
* Mirage F1BK : Export version of the Mirage F1B for Kuwait. Two built.
* Mirage F1BK-2 : Four sold to Kuwait as part of a follow on order.
* Mirage F1BQ : Export version of the Mirage F1B for Iraq.
[edit] Mirage F1A
Single-seat ground-attack fighter aircraft, with laser-range finder, and limited Air-to-Air attack capability. Developed in concert between the SAAF and Dassault.
* Mirage F1AD : Export version of the Mirage F1A for Libya. 16 built.
* Mirage F1AZ : Export version of the Mirage F1A for South Africa. 32 built.
[edit] Mirage F1E
Single-seat all-weather multi-role fighter and ground-attack aircraft.
* Mirage F1JA : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Ecuador. 16 built.
* Mirage F1ED : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Libya. 14 built.
* Mirage F1EE : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Spain. 22 built.
* Mirage F1EH : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Morocco. 14 built.
* Mirage F1EH-200 : Moroccan aircraft fitted with a flight refuelling probe. Six built.
* Mirage F1EJ : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Jordan. 17 built.
* Mirage F1EQ : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Iraq. 16 built.
* Mirage F1EQ-2 : Single-seat air defence fighter version for Iraq. 16 built.
* Mirage F1EQ-4 : Single-seat multi-role fighter, ground-attack, reconnaissance version for Iraq. 28 built.
* Mirage F1EQ-5 : Single-seat anti-shipping version for Iraq. 20 built.
* Mirage F1EQ-6 : Single-seat anti-shipping version for Iraq. Built in small numbers.
* Mirage F1EDA : Export version of the Mirage F1E for Qatar. 12 built.
[edit] Mirage F1D
Two-seat training version, based on the Mirage F1E multi-role fighter, ground-attack aircraft.
* Mirage F1JE : Export version of the Mirage F1D for Ecuador. Two built.
* Mirage F1DD : Export version of the Mirage F1D for Libya. Six built.
* Mirage F1DDA : Export version of the Mirage F1D for Qatar. Two built.
[edit] Mirage F1CR
When it became clear that the Mirage F1 was becoming a successful production aircraft, Dassault began investigating the possibility of a dedicated reconnaissance version for its most important client, the French Air Force. However, the escalating cost of fighter aircraft meant that add-on pods for this purpose were a more economical alternative.
Many French Air Force aircraft, as well as those of some export clients (such as Iraq's Mirage F1EQ), did indeed have a variety of reconnaissance pods available, which were attached to the underside of the main fuselage.
However, the development of a tactical reconnaissance aircraft for the French Air Force continued, and the first Mirage F1CR-200 flew on 20 November 1981.
The Mirage F1CR carries a variety of reconnaissance equipment, both internally and externally:
* A SAT SCM2400 Super Cyclone infrared linescan unit is installed in the space previously occupied by the cannon.
* A space under the nose can be used for a Thomson-TRT 40 panoramic camera or a Thomson-TRT 33 vertical camera.
* The Cyrano IVM-R radar has extra ground- and contour-mapping modules.
* Additional optical and electronic sensors can be carried on the hardpoints under the fuselage and wings.
A total of 64 units of the Mirage F1CR were ordered by the French Air Force, the first of which flew on 10 November 1982. The first airforce unit which used the aircraft became operational in July 1983.
[edit] Mirage F1CT
Mirage F1CT "30-QS" from 2/30
The Mirage F1CT is the tactical ground attack version of the Mirage F1C-200. The first two prototypes were conversions. The first flew on 3 May 1991. Another 55 examples followed up to 1995, all being conversions carried out by the workshops of the French Air Force.
The Mirage F1CT program brought the avionics of the F1C up to the standard of the F1CR:
* The Cyrano IV radar was replaced by the Cyrano IVM-R.
* The navigation/attack system was upgraded and included a laser rangefinder.
* Mk 10 ejection seats were added.
* Improved radar detection and warning devices, chaff/flare dispensers, and secure radios were also added.
* Facilities for a variety of new weapons were added.
[edit] Mirage F1AZ and Mirage F1CZ
The South African Air Force (SAAF) flew both the Mirage F1AZ ground-attack version as well as the radar-equipped Mirage F1CZ fighter. Atlas Aircraft Corporation, a South African aircraft manufacturer, may have received rights to license-produce the Mirage F1, although this is not certain. It is known that none were ever manufactured by Atlas for service with the SAAF.
The first two examples of the first order (48 aircraft, comprising 32 F1AZ and 16 F1CZ) were delivered on 5 April 1975. Both of these F1CZs were transported under a blanket of secrecy by a SAAF C-130 Hercules. In July of the same year, the remainder of the F1CZs were delivered, and 3 Squadron was re-commissioned to operate the aircraft from AFB Waterkloof. In 1975 the F1CZs also appeared at a South African airshow, but the public wasn't informed that the aircraft were already operational in the SAAF.
The F1AZ was developed in conjunction with Dassault and the SAAF as a dedicated ground attack variant. The AZ variant has a laser-based rangefinder, permitting extremely accurate fuzing and aiming of unguided munitions, which consist of bombs and rockets. Optical design was by ARMSCOR in South Africa, by the Optics (later ELOPTRO) division of that company. Despite their retirement in 1997, the accuracy of the F1AZ's armament delivery is still considered classified information by the SAAF, but observer analysis by informed news services (e.g., Jane's Defence Weekly) and pilot reports (e.g., Commandant Dick Lord, 'Vlamgat', 1999) conclude that the AZ variant has accuracies within the order disclosed by the USAF for their F-15E Strike Eagle in unguided ballistic mode. (Source: Jane's 'F15', Electronic Arts, 1996; Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 2000)
The F1AZs were delivered between November 1975 and October 1976. They were assigned to 1 Squadron, stationed at AFB Waterkloof. This acquisition was also kept secret from the rest of the world — 1 Squadron was not allowed to display its new aircraft until February 1980.
The SAAF retired the F1CZs in 1992, followed by the F1AZs in 1997. In 1998, the University of Stellenbosch acquired an F1CZ for its aeronautical Engineering department.
As an experiment, Aerosud, a South African aero-engineering concern, equipped a Mirage F1 with a Klimov RD-33 engine, the same engine used in the MiG-29. This development was dubbed the "SuperMirage" F1, and held the distinction of being the first Western aircraft to perform a display at the MAKS Airshow in Moscow.
In 2004 up to 21 F1AZs were reported in storage at AFB Hoedspruit, awaiting a possible buyer. In April 2006, it was reported that Gabon had purchased the surviving Mirage F1AZs and spares for about ZAR 40 million. On 17 August 2006, French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that two upgraded ex-South African F1AZs had taken part in a fly-past over Libreville earlier that day in celebration of Gabon's independence day. The refurbishment and upgrade of the aircraft was carried out by Aerosud. Aerosud Group managing director Dr. Paul Potgieter confirmed his company's involvement, but declined to give numbers or cite figures. It was also reported at that time that Gabon had only bought 3 Mirage F1's from South Africa.
[edit] Mirage F1CG
Mirage F1CG
Greece operated 40 Dassault Mirage F1CG single seat aircraft. F1CG was first ordered in 1974 and entered service with the Hellenic Air Force in 1975[2] The aircraft were used by 334 Squadron and 342 Squadron.[3]. Mirage F1CG was armed with the Sidewinder AIM-9P missile, rather than the most commonly used Matra Magic II, and it could carry four AIM-9Ps, rather than just two.[2]
The Hellenic Air Force retired the remaining 27 Mirage F1CGs on June 30, 2003 after 28 years of service and 160 000 flying hours[2]. A number of F1CG aircraft have been preserved in non-flying condition for display. At least four are preserved in Tanagra (LGTG), Greece (115, 124, 129 and 140). [4] [5]. One more (134) is preserved at HAF History Department, Delta Falirou.
[edit] Mirage F1M-53
Developed for the participation in the "European" NATO fighter competition of early seventies, seeking to replace the F-104G. It was equipped with a more powerful engine, the SNECMA M-53, and other improvements. Failed to succeed, the contest was eventually won by the General Dynamics F-16.
[edit] Operational history
Due to the success of the Mirage F1 in the export market, the airplane has seen combat with a number of air forces in various places around the world.
[edit] South Africa
Both the F1CZ and F1AZ variants of the SAAF saw action during operations in the Border War.
F1CZs of 3 Squadron downed two Angolan MiG-21s in 1981 and 1982. On 6th November 1981, during Operation Daisy, two F1CZs were vectored by GCI to intercept two MiG-21s heading south. Major Johan Rankin shot down the wingman using cannons. On 5th October 1982, while escorting a Canberra of 12 Squadron on a photo-reconnaissance sortie, Major Rankin and his wingman engaged two MiG-21s on an intercept course. He fired two Magic AAMs at one of the MiGs, damaging the aircraft with the second missile. The MiG was able to recover back to base but sustained additional damage in a belly landing. Rankin then attacked the second MiG and destroyed it with cannon fire.[6]
Two F1AZs of 1 Squadron were lost over Angola. On 20th February 1988, while flying an interdiction sortie against a road convoy during Operation Hooper, Major Ed Every was shot down by a SA-13 Gopher SAM. Almost a month later, on 19th February, Captain Willie van Coppenhagen flew into the ground when returning from a diversionary strike at night. The Board of Inquiry was unable to determine the causes of the crash.[6]
Two F1AZs and a single F1CZ were damaged by enemy action but were able to return to base.
On 7th June 1980, while attacking SWAPO's Tobias Haneko Training Camp during Operation Smokeshell, Major Frans Pretorius and Captain IC du Plessis were both hit by SA-3 Goa SAMs. Du Plessis' aircraft was hit in a fuel line and he had to perform a deadstick landing at AFB Ondangwa. Pretorius's aircraft sustained heavier damage and had to divert to Ruacana forward airstrip, were he landed with only the main undercarriage extended. Both aircraft were repaired and returned to service.[6]
On 27th September 1987, during Operation Moduler, an attempt was mounted to intercept two Cuban FAR MiG-23MLs. Captain Arthur Piercy's F1CZ was damaged by either an AA-7 Apex or AA-8 Aphid AAM fired head-on by Major Alberto Ley Rivas. The explosion destroyed the aircraft's drag chute and damaged the hydraulics. Piercy was able to recover to AFB Rundu, but the aircraft overshot the runway. The impact with the rough terrain caused Piercy's ejection seat to fire, but he failed to separate from the seat and suffered major spinal injuries.[6][7]
The SAAF lost an additional six F1AZs and three F1CZs to various mishaps. F1CZ 205 caught on fire after landing and was repaired using the tail section of F1CZ 206 (Piercy's aircraft).[6]
[edit] Morocco
30 Mirage F1CHs were ordered from Dassault by the Royal Moroccan Air Force(RMAF) in 1975, with the first deliveries taking place in 1978. They were engaged in combat as soon as 1979 against the forces of the Polisario Front operating in Western Sahara. While attacking Polisario columns, the Mirages were confronted with anti aircraft guns and SA-7 missiles, causing the loss of the first Mirage in November 1979. From 1981, the rebels also fielded SA-6 and SA-9 missiles donated by Libya, and after two Mirages were downed in October 1981, the RMAF was forced to institute a crash programme, installing chaff/flare dispensers on their aircraft. Despite this, Polisario anti-aircraft weapons still caused a steady drain on the Moroccan Mirage force, with at least seven aircraft shot down and six lost in accidents between 1979 and 1988, when a cease-fire was signed.[8]
In July 2002, two Mirage F1CH were scrambled during the Spanish Army operation to recover Perejil Island. Before leaving their airspace, both were intercepted and diverted by four Spanish Air Force F-18 Hornets flying CAP mission over moroccan soil.
[edit] Ecuador
Ecuadorian Air Force Mirage F1JA.
The Ecuadorian Air Force's (FAE) squadron of Mirage F1JAs (Escuadrón de Caza 2112) first entered combat in January-February 1981 during the brief Paquisha War between Ecuador and Peru, less than two years after the aircraft had been delivered to the FAE. At that time, the Ecuadorians decided against directly challenging the Peruvian Air Force (abbreviated FAP), whose Mirage 5Ps and Sukhoi Su-22Ms were providing air cover to the Peruvian heliborne operations in the combat zone. Instead, the Mirages were kept at a distance, performing combat air patrols (CAPs) on the fringes of the combat area, in case the border clashes gave way to open hostilities.
In 1995, during the Cenepa War, the Ecuadorian Mirages went back into action against Peru. This time, while the bulk of the squadron was kept back at Taura AFB, a small detachment of Mirage F1s and Kfir C.2s was deployed to a forward air base to dissuade Peruvian attack aircraft from entering the combat zone. On 10 February 1995, two Mirage F1JAs, piloted by Maj. R. Banderas and Capt. C. Uzcátegui and armed with Matra R550 Magic AAMs, were directed over five targets crossing the border from Peru toward the Cenepa valley. After making visual contact, the Mirages fired their missiles, shooting down two Peruvian Su-22Ms, while a Kfir destroyed a further A-37B Dragonfly.[9][10][11][12]
[edit] France
French Air Force Mirage F1s saw their first operational deployment in 1984 during Operation Manta, the French intervention in the Chad, to counter growing Libyan encroachment. Four Mirage F1C-200s provided air cover for a force of four Jaguars, and took part in skirmishes against the pro-Libyan GUNT rebels.
In 1986, French Mirage F1s returned to Chad, as part of Operation Epervier, with four F1C-200s providing fighter cover for a strike package of eight Jaguars during the air raid against the Libyan airbase at Ouadi Doum, on February 16. Two F1CRs also flew pre and post-strike reconnaissance missions.[13][14]
More recently, in October 2007, three Mirage 2000s and three Mirage F1s have been deployed at Kandahar Air Force Base, where they fly close air support and tactical reconnaissance missions in support of international forces in Southern Afghanistan.[15][16]
[edit] Iraq
During the Iran-Iraq war, Iraq's Mirage F1EQs were used intensively for interception, ground attack and anti-shipping missions.[17] In November 1981, an Iraqi Mirage F1 accounted for the first Iranian F-14 to be shot down, followed by several more in the following months, giving the previously timid Iraqi Airforce new confidence in air-to-air combat engagements with the Iranians.[18]
On 17 May 1987, an Iraqi Air Force pilot flying an F1EQ fired two Exocet anti-ship missiles into the U.S. guided missile frigate USS Stark (FFG-31) in the Persian Gulf.[19]
In the opening minutes of the Gulf War on January 17, 1991, an unarmed USAF EF-111, crewed by Captain James A. Denton and Captain Brent D. Brandon scored a kill against an Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1EQ, which they managed to maneuver into the ground, making it the only F-111 to achieve an aerial victory over another aircraft.[citation needed]
Coalition forces shot down several Iraq Mirages during the 1991 Gulf War. Two F1EQs preparing to carry out an Exocet attack against US naval forces were shot down by a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C.[citation needed]
[edit] Spain
Spanish Air Force Mirage F1 have been deployed in Lithuania, during NATO Baltic Air Policing from July 2006 to November 2006, being scrambled twice to intercept undisclosed intruders.
On 20 January 2009 two Spanish aircraft crashed, in Spain's south-eastern province of Albacete, during a routine Spanish Air Force training mission, killing all three crew members. The wreckage of the two jets, including the remains of the aircrew, was found about 3km (1.8 miles) apart.
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