Dassault Super Mirage 4000

The Mirage 4000, or Super Mirage 4000, is a prototype twin-engine fighter aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation in parallel with the Mirage 2000. It shares many features with the latter, such as engines, delta wings, and fly-by-wire controls. Funded entirely by Dassault, the project did not reach series production. It then served as an experimental aircraft to test technologies for the Rafale program.

The development of the Mirage 4000 was intended to compete with the F-15A on the international market, offering multi-mission capabilities such as reconnaissance, bombing, surveillance, and air combat. However, due to a lack of funding from France, Dassault had to use its own funds. The prototype made its first flight in 1979, reaching Mach 2 and 15,000 meters in less than 4 minutes.

Presented at the Paris Air Show in 1979 and 1981, the Mirage 4000 attracted the interest of Saudi Arabia and Iran, but did not result in orders. In 1985, it was re-equipped for demonstrations, but the export program was abandoned in the late 1980s.

The prototype was then used to test technologies for the Rafale, including its weapons system. It made 336 flights before being exhibited at the Air and Space Museum in 1992. Restored between 1999 and 2002, it was repainted in Dassault colors.

Technically, the Mirage 4000 is comparable to the F-15A but with better maneuverability. Built of composite materials to reduce its weight, it carries three times more fuel than the Mirage 2000. Its maximum speed is Mach 2.2, and it is equipped with canard planes to improve its maneuverability.

In terms of armament, it can carry up to 8,000 kg of external loads, including bombs, air-to-ground missiles, air-to-air missiles, and an ASMP nuclear missile. In air combat configuration, it can carry up to 8 Magic air-to-air missiles and 30 mm DEFA cannons.