Mirage F1CT

This page is about the French jet fighter Mirage F1CT. For other versions, see Mirage F1 (Family).

Mirage F1CT

Mirage F1CT

Description

Following their replacement in the air defence role by the Mirage 2000, the French Air Force had a number of surplus Mirage F1C-200s, and in 1988 a program was launched to convert these aircraft into ground attack aircraft to replace the ancient Mirage IIIEs and few Mirage 5s. The Mirage F1CT program brought the avionics of the F1C up to the standard of the F1CR, with the radar upgraded with the additional air-to-ground modes of the Cyrano IVM-R. Also, an improved navigation/attack system fitted and a laser rangefinder was fitted under the nose. The defensive suite was also overhauled, with a new RWR, chaff/flare dispensers, and secure radios also fitted. It gained the ability to carry a variety of air-to-ground weapons, including rockets, cluster bombs and laser-guided bombs, while retaining the F1C's primary air-to-air armament.

The Mirage F1CT is a rank French jet fighter with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update "Danger Zone". Ingame, the aircraft acts as the best Mirage F1 variant for air to air combat, despite being in the attacker line in the tech tree. This is due to having the better RWR system of all the Mirage F1s. The F1CT can also perform better at air-to-ground than the other models ingame, due to the larger bomb load, allowing it to carry more freefall ordnance. All in all, the F1CT acts as a nice sidegrade to the Mirage F1s in the other parts of the tree, or for people who want a Mirage F1 quickly, an easily acquirable one from the shorter attacker line rather than the fighter line which the Mirage F1C is found in.

General info

Flight performance

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	2,156	2,118		28.3	28.8	128.6	122.6	750
Upgraded	2,300	2,228		26.2	27.0	183.9	155.0

Details

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

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1,457		575	549	416	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 650	< 800	< 900	-

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
SNECMA Atar 9K-50		1	8,036 kg		458 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Gross Weight
Weight (each)	Type		13m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	44m fuel
1,590 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		9,058 kg	9,581 kg	10,354 kg	11,443 kg	16,635 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	13m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	44m fuel	MGW
Stationary	4,890 kgf	6,801 kgf	0.75	0.71	0.66	0.59	0.41
Optimal	5,917 kgf (1,200 - 1,400 km/h)	9,875 kgf (1,200 km/h)	1.09	1.03	0.95	0.86	0.59

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

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

Offensive armament

The Mirage F1CT is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon, belly-mounted (135 rpg)
  • 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 252 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The Mirage F1CT can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
500 lb SAMP Mk 82 bombs		1	1, 2	1, 4	1, 2	1
250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs		1	1	1	1	1
250 kg SAMP Type 25 200 bombs		1	1	1	1	1
400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs		1	1	1, 4	1	1
400 kg SAMP Type 21 200 bombs		1	1	1, 4	1	1
1,000 lb SAMP Mk 83 bombs		1	1	1, 2	1	1
2,000 lb SAMP Mk 84 bombs			1	1, 2	1
SNEB type 23 rockets		18, 36	18, 36		18, 36	18, 36
Matra R530 missiles			1		1
Matra R530E missiles			1		1
Matra R550 Magic 2 missiles	1						1
Matra Super 530F missiles			1		1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 950 kg

Default weapon presets

Without load 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets 144 x SNEB type 23 rockets 10 x 500 lb SAMP Mk 82 bombs (5,000 lb total) 5 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 200 bombs (1,250 kg total) 8 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 bombs (3,200 kg total) 8 x 400 kg SAMP Type 21 200 bombs (3,200 kg total) 6 x 1,000 lb SAMP Mk 83 bombs (6,000 lb total) 3 x 2,000 lb SAMP Mk 84 bombs (6,000 lb total) 2 x Matra R550 Magic 2 missiles 2 x Matra R530E missiles 2 x Matra R530 missiles 2 x Matra Super 530F missiles

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Stock Magic 2 missiles
• Super 530F missiles
• Great manoeuvrability
• 252 countermeasures

Cons:

• Only one DEFA 553 cannon

History

The Mirage F1, a product of Dassault Aviation's innovation in the 1960s, emerged as a versatile and robust aircraft, complementing the capabilities of the delta-winged Mirage III. Opting for a traditional swept wing design, the Mirage F1 showcased improved range and performance at low altitudes, making its maiden flight in 1966. The aircraft was engineered for simplicity and ruggedness, able to conduct both air-to-air and ground-attack missions with efficiency.

The Mirage F1’s combat debut occurred in the mid-1970s during the Western Sahara War, where French support was provided to Mauritania and Morocco against the Polisario Front rebels. The aircraft’s versatility was further highlighted in the 1980s during the Chad-Libya conflict, where the French Air Force utilized it in ground-attack operations.

The Mirage F1 also played a significant role in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, being extensively employed by the Iraqi Air Force. It demonstrated its capabilities in both air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions, with Iraqi pilots claiming air-to-air victories against Iranian aircraft. However, the Gulf War in 1991 presented a challenging scenario for the Iraqi Mirage F1s, as they faced the overwhelming air superiority of the Coalition forces.

The Balkans conflict in the 1990s saw the Mirage F1s of the French Air Force in action once again, conducting reconnaissance and ground-attack missions. It was around this time that the need for a dedicated ground-attack variant became apparent, leading to the development of the Mirage F1CT. This variant was equipped with updated avionics and weapon systems tailored for ground-attack roles, and it participated in NATO operations over the former Yugoslavia.

By the dawn of the 21st century, the Mirage F1 was gradually phased out of frontline service in the French Air Force, with more advanced aircraft like the Rafale taking its place. Nevertheless, the aircraft found new life in other countries and in the private sector, where some were utilized as aggressor aircraft for training purposes. The Mirage F1’s extensive service record across various global conflicts stands as a testament to its adaptability and enduring capabilities.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Mirage F1CT from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related development

• Mirage F1C

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Dassault Aviation
WW2*
Fighters	M.B.152C1 · M.B.157
Bombers	M.B.162 · M.B.174A-3 · M.B.175T
Jet Aircraft
M.D 450	M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.450B Ouragan
Mystère	M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA
Super Mystère	Super Mystere B2
Étendard	Etendard IVM
Super Étendard	Super Etendard
Alpha Jet	Alpha Jet E**
Mirage
Mirage III	Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan
Mirage V	Mirage 5F
Mirage F1	Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT
Mirage 2000	Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000D-R1 · Mirage 2000D-RMV
Mirage 4000	Mirage 4000
Export
M.D 450	M.D.450B Ouragan
Mystere	Mystere IVA
Super Mystère	Sambad · Sa'ar***
Mirage	Shahak · ▄Mirage 5BA · ␗Mirage 2000-5Ei
	*The company was named "Société des Avions Marcel Bloch" before being renamed in 1947
	**Jointly manufactured with Dornier Flugzeugwerke
	***Israeli Super Mystère refitted with new avionics and an American engine
See also	SABCA