single 2,000lb (907kg) GBU-24 ‘bunker
buster’, on its centreline pylon.
But the 2000N was never able to
self-designate a target and requires
another aircraft such as a Mirage 2000D
or a Rafale for ‘buddy-lasing’.
A missile launch detector was also
introduced with the new K2-4C standard.
According to pilots, this passive Détecteur
de Départ Missile (DDM) is highly
effective, with a low false-alarm rate.
Using dual-colour imaging infrared
technology, the DDM detects the incoming
missile’s IR signature during its propulsion
phase, tracks its trajectory and generates
a warning. To provide 360° coverage in
azimuth, the DDM sensors are integrated on
the rear end of the outer missile launchers
(also used for Magic 2 short-range missiles)
on the Mirage 2000N and 2000D. They
indicate the direction of the threat and give
clear information on whether the enemy
missile is approaching from above or below.
The DDM is fully integrated with the
Mirage 2000N’s self-defence suite and can
automatically trigger the chaff and flare
dispensers, considerably boosting survivability.
Terrain following
With the delivery of the Mirage 2000N, the
Armée de l’Air carefully developed automatic
terrain-following procedures for very low-
level flying at night and in all weathers.
Today, relying on terrain-following remains a
credible way of covertly penetrating contested
airspace, especially since the service entry
of the latest generation of Russian very-
long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
Thanks to its advanced terrain-following
radar, the 2000N can be safely and
automatically flown at night and in bad
weather at altitudes as low as 300ft (91m)
in peacetime, and much lower in wartime.
With terrain-following radar engaged, the
Mirage 2000N pilot monitors all aircraft
movement in the vertical plane while the back-
seater handles navigation in the horizontal
plane. If, for any reason, something goes
wrong, the aircraft automatically initiates a 5.5g
pull-up to fly away from the ground, fast.
The Antilope 5 radar used for terrain
following also offers air-to-surface modes,
such as mapping and searching/tracking of
ground targets plus basic air-to-air modes,
including combat and air-to-air search.
But, in contrast to the RDM, RDI and RDY
radars in the Mirage 2000C/B and Mirage
2000-5F interceptor variants, the air-to-
air modes have limited operational range
and can track fewer airborne targets.
According to Commandant (Major) ‘Cyril’
(surname withheld on request), EC 2/4’s deputy
commander, the Mirage 2000N/D’s terrain-
following system has proved particularly
successful: “It allows us to fly at very low level
in adverse weather conditions that would limitother aircraft to medium- or high-level missions,
exposing them to the SAM threat. The Antilope
radar is extremely resistant to jamming and is
not vulnerable to cyber threats, due to its age.
“For terrain-following flying, having two crew
members on board is an obvious advantage,
especially in a complex tactical environment
where the navigator helps significantly
reduce pilot workload while improving our
knowledge of the tactical situation.
“However, the 2000N lacks a radar with
advanced air-to-air modes. It also lacks
long-range air-to-air missiles that would
allow us to force our way in, and a tactical
data link to share a common picture. All
these shortcomings have been corrected
with the introduction of the Rafale.”
Mirage 2000N aircrews often fly with night-
vision goggles (NVGs), even with the terrain-
following system engaged, both the front
and rear cockpits being NVG-compatible.Upgrading the Mirage 2000N
To maintain the relevance of the French
airborne nuclear force, 30 aircraft were
upgraded to Mirage 2000NK3 standard,
enabling them to launch the new ASMP-A
(Air Sol Moyenne Portée – Amélioré, Air-Left: Although taken in 2007, this photo
undoubtedly evokes the era of Cold War nuclear
alert. The Mirage 2000N was conceived at a time
when the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact were
the potential adversaries and its primary weapon
was a nuclear-tipped ASMP standoff missile.
Mirage 2000N serial 337 ‘116-BF’ refuels from a C-135FR. The Mirage 2000N was routinely fl own with a single ASMP-A training round (without warhead) on
the centreline pylon, two Magic 2 missiles and two large 2,000-lit (440-gal) drop tanks which give the aircraft an outstanding unrefuelled range.A Mirage 2000N front cockpit
simulator. The cockpit of the
Mirage 2000N betrays the
age of the aircraft and
looks outdated by
modern standards.
It is dominated
by the radar
screen used
for terrain
following.http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #364 JULY 2018 // 83