Mirage IIIE

Mirage IIIE

Mirage IIIC

Mirage F1C

Mirage IIIE

Mirage IIIC

Mirage F1C

France

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.7	10.7	11.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:150 000

Purchase:830 000

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Description

The Mirage IIIE is a rank VII French jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.7 (AB/RB) and 11.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update "Ixwa Strike". Contrary to its older sibling, the Mirage IIIC, the Mirage IIIE represents a (successful) attempt to integrate air-to-ground capabilities into the Mirage III line of aircraft. These capabilities are achieved by the addition of a ballistic computer to aid in the destruction of ground assets with guns, bombs, and rockets. The aircraft also receives numerous improvements, such as a new version of the Atar 9 engine, which is not only slightly more powerful, but also much more responsive. An RWR system and a countermeasure dispenser is also installed.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 12 000 m2 160 km/h

Turn time28 s

Max altitude16 000 m

EngineSNECMA Atar 9C

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight11 t

Overall, the Mirage IIIE is flown like the Mirage IIIC. The key feature of the Mirage airframe is its delta wing. Delta winged aircraft present tremendous manoeuvrability, at the cost of energy bleeding. The Mirage is no exception. While capable of supersonic flight, even at low altitude, and loaded with its air-to-air armament, high-G manoeuvres provokes as much deceleration as using a giant airbrake. This is, in fact, what a delta wing becomes, under high incidence angle, due to its very high vortex lift.

In general, the Mirage IIIE is nimble and fast, but it lacks the engine power of its contemporaries, such as the MiG-21bis or the F-104 series. Getting up to speed, or regaining it will be a bit longer. A trade-off for the Mirage IIIE's manoeuvrability.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 12,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,092	2,053	16000	29.8	30.5	111.6	100.4	750
Upgraded	___	___		__._	__._	__._	__._

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	X	X	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	426	N/A	N/A	N/A	~11	~4

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 920	< 750	< 650	N/A

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear426 km/h

Being a very light aircraft, the Mirage IIIE does not bear any sort of armour. It is to be noted that it has a very fragile rudder, which is mandatory to fly. Even as little as losing its moving actuator is enough to make the Mirage IIIE uncontrollable. The wings, being built upon titanium longerons, are quite sturdy and can sometimes survive hits.

The lack of armour on the Mirage can be compensated by the very small size of the aircraft.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 148 → 4 234

RB10 283 → 13 830

SB8 954 → 12 043

Total cost of modifications261 000

405 000

Talisman cost2 900

Crew training240 000

Experts830 000

Aces3 000

Research Aces1 140 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

120 / 350 / 600 %

238 / 238 / 238 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 420 New boosters Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 380 Wings repair Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 510 Engine Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 550	Fuselage repair Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 420 Airframe Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 380 G-suit Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 510 Cover Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 550	Type 25C Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 420 Flares/Chaff Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 420 aden_belt_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 380 LAU-32 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 380 Matra R530E Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 380 Type 21B Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 510 Matra JL-100R Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 510 aden_new_gun Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 550 Nord AS.30 Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 550 Matra R550 Magic 1 Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 550

The entirety of the AA missile armament of the Mirage IIIE is stacked in a single line. The AIM-9B missile will be of moderate help. The Matra 530 will be of better efficiency.

The Mirage IIIE being the end of the Dassault line-up, each components are pricey in research points, costing up to 32,000 RP for the 4th tier.

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

The Mirage IIIE comes with a pair of DEFA 552A canons, with 125 round per gun, for 250 rounds total. These guns output a moderate shell velocity (but high rate of fire), but the DEFA shells are extremely destructive, and can blow a wing off of even the sturdiest aircrafts, such as the F-4E Phantom II. The Air targets belt composes only of HE, incendiary, tracers. Overall, the best pick of shells one could want for air-to-air combat. The Ground targets belt can pierce moderate armour, and are nothing to write home about. They will shred APCs and IFVs, but not MBTs.

Suspended armament

The Mirage IIIE can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons (125 rpg = 250 total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530E missile
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530 missile
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530E missile + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530E missile + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530E missile + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530E missile + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530 missile + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530 missile + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530 missile + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x Matra R530 missile + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x AS-30 Nord missile + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 1 x AS-30 Nord missile + 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 2 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles + 2 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 2 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles + 2 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552A cannons + 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles

As with most aircraft of this level, the Mirage is as good as the missiles it carries. The AIM-9B is an IR seeker missile of the very first type. It pulls few Gs, cannot orientate its seeker head and is very easily distracted by flares. Still, some kills can be expected on unsuspecting enemies, or enemies engaged with another aircraft in a turnfight, and low on energy.

The Matra R530 is a radar guided, medium range missile. Only one can be carried, but it is one of best SARH missiles in the game. As a counterpart, the Cyrano radar of the Mirage IIIE is quite small, with range rarely exceeding 20 km. Inside this range, the missile has good range and manoeuvrability during the entire flight time. A good addition to the Mirage IIIE's arsenal. The SARH capability of the missile can be traded for the IR seeker of the Matra R530E, making it the biggest IR seeker of the game. This version does not require radar lock, but cannot be fired in front aspect, and can be distracted by flares, where the Cyrano radar guiding the R530 can only be disturbed by chaff, which is used much more rarely.

As a tier 4 modification, the Mirage IIIE receives the dreaded Matra 550 Magic. This IR seeking missile of second generation is an excellent weapon, being both extremely manoeuvrable (pulling 30Gs, sometimes more), very light and reactive, and quite resilient to flares. Under two kilometres, and launched in appropriate conditions at subsonic speeds, this missile is virtually inescapable. It is to be noted that this missile, thanks to its canted launch rail, can be launched under significant G-load. Its only two drawbacks are its short range, and the limited number of units carried under the Mirage wings, with only two of the type. Comparatively, the F-4 Phantom series can carry 4 IR missiles, and 4 to 6 for the MiG-21 series, J35 Draken, and F-104 series.

As for ground attack, the Mirage III E carries the usual load of post-war French ordnance, in the form of 250/400 kg SAMP bombs, SNEB HEAT rockets, and the AS-30 missile. The deployment of these weapons can be aided by the ballistic computer.

The AS-30 Nord missile is a MCLOS, AS-20 derived, heavy warhead HE missile. Only one can be carried, and it is quite hard to use, but the damage output on ground targets in mixed battles is enormous. It is not uncommon to score two kills with one missile.

Usage in battles

The Mirage IIIE is an improvement over the Mirage IIIC in nearly every aspect. Its delta wing permits high-G, speed bleeding manoeuvres, and should be sued to force an opponent to overshoot, and give it chase with missiles or guns.

The missile load of the Mirage III E is quite light, with only 3 missiles, but the missiles are excellent, and should rarely miss. The addition of the flare dispenser is also of excellent help against the very dangerous IR seeking R-60 missile, which does not perform well with the saturation of its target with flares. Note that flares are mostly inefficient when afterburner is on, and turning it off for mere seconds can be the difference between life and death.

Overall, sticking close to the ground, at high speed, and making missile passes on opponents is a good way to reach victory. Dogfights should be engaged only if the target position is advantageous, and the Mirage IIIE cannot just bleed out of energy and re-accelerate away.

The Mirage IIIE can be equipped with the SEPR 941 booster rocket if the guns are dismounted. This strategy is considered as to be avoided, the loadouts permitting the removal of the guns are very restrictive. The booster gives an output of 1.5 extra ton of thrust, and can burnt for 105 seconds before running dry.

For ground attack, the Mirage IIIE is of moderate use. While it can still carry bombs, it is a fighter by essence. It is to be noted that the Mirage IIIE can carry its entire AA armament, plus two air-to-ground weapons, on two extra hardpoints.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent missile armament
• Slim airframe
• Powerfull canons
• Added multirole capability over the Mirage IIIC
• Flare/chaff dispenser, for 60 slots
• RWR equipped

Cons:

• Low missile count
• Moderate power engine
• Considered a priority target by enemies
• Much heavier than its predecessor while being given negligible thrust increase which results in a more sluggish aircraft

History

 Post-war French aviation

Back in the 1940s, after the Second World War, although France was still in ruins at this time, the French aviation design team had never stopped their research work. The first design built by France after the Second World War was the famous VB.10 fighter, which completed its first flight mission in 1947, though the original design work was started in 1940 and interrupted by the German invasion. Even though the French designers are full of enthusiasm for serving their motherland, the government still couldn't provide enough money and resources to help them achieve their design dream, so the French Air Force was still equipped with American F-84 Thunderjets and British Vampires at the beginning of the Cold War. The SNCASE company also chose to buy the production license for de Havilland Vampire fighters, naming it "Mistral".

Those early American and British designs helped the French designers learn about jet fighters, so they were able to launch a series of successful works such as the SO.4050 Vautour, MD.452 Mystère II, MD.454 Mystère IVA, and Super Mystère B.2 in the 1950s. But on the other hand, when the American F-100 Super Sabre and Soviet MiG-19 fighter entered into service in 1954 and 1955, the French Air Force only has subsonic designs, even the latest Super Mystère B.2 could only break the speed of sound in a dive, so they had to buy North American F-100D fighters in the 1950s, while the US Air Force received their first F-104A Starfighter.

But the French designers wouldn't be beaten a second time. Marcel Ferdinand Bloch, designer of the famous MB.152 piston fighter, had been captured by Germans during the Second World War because of his Jewish identity, but was saved by the US Third Army in 1945. After that, since his brother had participated with the French guerrillas during World War II and changed his name to Char D'Assaut, to commemorate his brother's achievements, Bloch also changed his name to Dassault. In 1947, Dassault company received their first order from French Air Force to build three prototype planes, and the first of them successfully flew in 1949. The duration of the entire development work was only 18 months, it was named MD.450 Ouragan fighter which was introduced into service in 1952.

Their second product, MD.452 Mystère II was based on their previous fighter design and used swept-wing to improve the flight performance. MD.454 Mystère IVA was one of the most famous products made by Dassault company during the 1950s, which was used by the Israel Air Force during the Suez Canal War in 1956 and successfully beaten the Egyptian MiG-15 fighters.

 The tale of "Mirage"

In response to the challenge of the Soviet Union's new Mach 2 fighter called MiG-21 which would enter into service in 1960, Dassault's answer was the MD.550 Mystère-Delta program which was usually misunderstood by the public as a design born on the basis of the Super Mystère B.2 fighter, but in fact it was born based on an improved version of the Mystère IV fighter, and there was no direct relationship between it and the Super Mystère B.2. Initially competing with Dassault's MD.550 project were Nord 1500 Griffon, SE-212 Durandal, and SO.9050 Trident II projects, unsurprisingly, the Mystère-Delta stood out and soon received an order from the French Air Force to manufacture two prototypes.

In 1956, after the first design changes, the Mystère-Delta prototype was renamed as Mirage I fighter, it only had one air-to-air missile as its primary weapon, and only achieved Mach 1.6 during the flight test even after it opened the rocket motor. To achieve the goal of reaching Mach 2 speed in level flight, Dassault changed the main design again, including a change in fixed air intake design to the variable air intake design and introduced area rule design on the Mirage I fighter. The Mirage I design was abandoned at last, and the Mirage II fighter was a design that used Turboméca Gabizo afterburning turbojets along with a pair of the SEPR rocket motors, but it was cancelled and never built.

The final design which truly entered into service in 1961 was called Mirage III, and the first truly mass production version was called Mirage IIIC because the A version of the Mirage III family was only used for research propose, and Mirage IIIB was the training version of Mirage IIIC fighter. The basic weapon used on the Mirage IIIC fighter was two DEFA 552 30 mm cannons which could carry 250 rounds in total, also Dassault company introduced the Matra R.530 radar or infrared-guided medium-range air-to-air missile into their product, which had a maximum firing range of 18 km and maximum manoeuvring overload of 12G. The Mirage IIIC fighter could also carry two AIM-9B Sidewinder infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missile for WVR combat in the 1960s too. In 1975, the famous Matra R.550 Magic 1 infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missile with maximum manoeuvring overload of 35G successfully entered into service, both the Mirage III fighter and the Mirage F.1 fighter were upgraded to have Magic missile launch capabilities during this period.

The Mirage IIIE variant

In 1965, Mirage IIIE fighter successfully entered in to service and soon become the most produced Mirage variant. It is a multi-purpose role version of Mirage III fighter family, which is updated with CSF Marconi Navigation computer used on the Mirage IV nuclear bomber, the new version of Cyrano II fire control radar added some new air-to-ground modes like ground-mapping of air-to-ground ranging, also the most obvious change in external characteristics is the pod under the nose which contain the CSF Marconi Doppler Navigation radar, besides, A Thomson BU radar warning receiver was fitted in the tail-fin which can provide warning information for the pilots, also the Head-Up-Display unit has been changed from CSF95 to the new CSF97 which added the air-to-ground capacity too. Thanks to the new structural strength design into the airframe, the Mirage IIIE fighter could carry 4000 kg payload in total. The Mirage IIIE was the most popular version of Mirage III family, with 523 being built and delivered to both France and customers around the world, also the Swiss and Pakistani versions can equip Chaff/Flare dispenser in to the bottom of the fuselage too.

The Mirage IIIE was the most common Mirage III type in service with the French air force, with a total of 183 aircraft delivered, compared to 95 Mirage IIIC and 70 Mirage IIIR aircraft. The last Mirage III would not retire from the French air force until 1994, at which point it was replaced by the Mirage 2000 and later the Dassault Rafale. The Mirage III would see extensive service in numerous wars for several air forces; notably, the Israeli air force used Mirages during the Six-day war and Yom Kippur War, while Argentina employed its Mirage IIIEAs against British forces during the Falklands war.

Media

• 

  A Mirage IIIE, equipped with its full anti-air armament, of two Magics and one Matra R530

• 

  Closeup view of the Mirage IIIE AA armament. Note the canted Magic launch rails, allowing fire under G stress

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

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