Dizier. The ‘new’ EC 2/4 ‘La Fayette’ is due to
be fully operational in the nuclear deterrence
role on the two-seat Rafale B in September.
At Istres, the Mirage 2000Ns operate from
a hardened aircraft shelter (HAS) complex,
but would disperse to various French airfields
in case of a major war. The squadron has a
hardened underground war room at its disposal,
with access restricted to authorised personnel.
Complex exercises known as Bancos and
Pokers are organised on a regular basis
to test the unit’s combat efficiency. The
most biggest involves all Commandement
des Forces Aériennes Stratégiques (CFAS,
Strategic Air Forces Command) units
plus numerous other air force assets.
This maximum-effort event requires all CFAS
forces to first evade destruction on the ground
and then simulate a massive long-range nuclear
strike against an attacking country. CFAS aircraft
- Mirage 2000Ns, Rafale Bs and Stratotankers
- escorted by other assets, such as single-
seat Rafale Cs and an E-3F AWACS, are pitted
against air defenders (Mirage 2000Cs and 2000-
5Fs) pretending to protect a hostile territory.
With such a heavy load, the 2000N is
restricted to +6g and 20° angle of attack (AOA)
compared to +9g and 29° AOA when lightly
loaded for an air-to-air combat training mission.
The latter configuration might include two Magic
2s and a 1,250-lit (275-gal) centreline fuel tank.
Combat operations
Since the conflict in Bosnia in the 1990s,
the Mirage 2000N has been engaged in
combat in Libya in 2011, the Middle East
in 2015-16 and more recently in Africa. On
top of the K3 upgrade, the aircraft has
recently been further modified to enhance
its interoperability with French allies and
increase its survivability on the battlefield.
A limited number of aircraft were fitted
with a KY-58 voice module to encrypt
communications. “In Libya, we didn’t have
that secure comms capability,” admitted
Commandant Cyril. “We systematically flew in
mixed formations with Mirage 2000Ds which
maintained radio contact with higher echelons,
acting as communication relays for us.”
To expand the Mirage 2000N’s firepower,
the number of GBU-12 LGBs that could
be carried was increased from two to
four in 2015, the additional two bombs
being fitted on the front fuselage weapon
hardpoints, just below the air intakes.
“The arrival of the secure comms and the
new weapon configuration has significantly
boosted our operational capabilities,” explained
Commandant Cyril. “With four GBUs, we
carry twice as much as a Mirage 2000D.
“The Mirage 2000N has never been fitted
with a targeting pod, and we rely instead
on the mixed force fighter operations
[MFFO] concept, the preferred option being
to work with Mirage 2000Ds which can
designate targets for the Mirage 2000N
aircrews with their PDLCT, PDLCTS, Atlis
or Damoclès laser-designation pods.
“Finally, the Mirage 2000Ns sent to a combat
zone are fitted with the very same variant of
the Caméléon jammer that equips the Mirage
2000D, thus simplifying the programming
of the threat libraries by the electronic
warfare experts of a given detachment.”
The deployment of Mirage 2000Ns for the
Chammal operation in the Middle East involved
a large number of offensive sorties. In around
nine months in the Middle East, 2000N
aircrews dropped 186 precision weapons.
Up until the very end of the type’s service
life, EC 2/4 and its Mirage 2000Ns took part
in operational deployments in the global fight
against terrorism. From April to September last
year, two were stationed in N’Djamena, Chad,
alongside two 2000Ds, while a further two
2000Ds and two 2000Cs were in Niamey, Niger.
This represented the first Mirage 2000N
combat deployment in Africa; the last took place
between last December and March this year.
Once again, the jets were based at N’Djamena
as part of a mixed 2000N/2000D detachment.Progressive withdrawal
The number of Mirage 2000Ns in service with
EC 2/4 at Istres peaked at 23 airframes in early- The drawdown began last year, at the
same time as deliveries of two-seat Rafales
to Saint-Dizier began to increase again. By
April that year, the number of 2000Ns had
reduced to 20, dropping to 15 in December.
Although the Armée de l’Air has decided
to keep the exact number quiet, around
a dozen aircraft will be kept operational
until September this year to ensure enough
remain in service for the nuclear deterrence
mission. By then, the new ‘La Fayette’ will
have officially been re-established at Saint-
Dizier, and the two nuclear squadrons, EC 1/4
‘Gascogne’ and EC 2/4 ‘La Fayette’, will be
co-located on the fast expanding air base.
Beginning last year, aircrews, maintainers
and armourers began to be reposted from
Istres to Saint-Dizier to ensure operational
experience is kept within the nuclear
deterrence community. At the time of
writing, 187 personnel were still part of EC
2/4, but the number was fast decreasing.
While lacking the enormous range and
weapon load of the Americans’ B-52H and the
survivability of the B-2A, the Mirage 2000N has
served the Armée de l’Air well. Its withdrawal
will also bring to an end the permanent
presence of Armée de l’Air fighters at Istres.
Remaining airframes will be stored and
used for spare parts reclamation to help
support the Mirage 2000D strike fighters
for many years, thanks to the high level
of commonality between the two variants.
Another two Mirage 2000Ns will remain
in use with Dassault Aviation and with the
Direction Générale de l’Armement Essais
en Vol (DGA EV, the French flight test
centre) for specific trials programmes.Mirage 2000N squadron patches
AFMLeft: Mirage 2000N serial 368
‘4-AR’ of EC 1/4 ‘Dauphiné’
taxies out of its hardened
aircraft shelter at Luxeuil in
April 2007. Right: Mirage 2000N
aircrews fl ew a considerable
portion of their missions at
night.
http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #364 JULY 2018 // 85