Mirage IIIC

Mirage IIIC

Super Mystere B2

Mirage IIIE

360://https://old-wiki.warthunder.com/images/a/ad/Cockpit_mirage_3c.jpg

Mirage IIIC

Super Mystere B2

Mirage IIIE

France

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.3	10.0	10.3

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:260 000

Purchase:710 000

Description

The Mirage IIIC is a rank VII French jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB/SB) and 10.0 (RB). It was introduced in Update "Starfighters".

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 9B

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight11 t

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	2,087	2,045	16000	29.5	30.1	109.3	97.7	750
Upgraded	2,238	2,160		26.7	28.0	173.1	140.0

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	~12	~5

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

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic Mass		Wing loading (full fuel, no booster)
SNECMA Atar 9B		1	6,340 kg		258 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load, no booster)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		13m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	44m fuel
1,450 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		6,891 kg	7,188 kg	7,612 kg	8,206 kg	10,950 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP, no booster)
Condition	100%	WEP	13m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	44m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	4,230 kgf	6,090 kgf	0.88	0.85	0.80	0.74	0.56
Optimal	5,118 kgf (1,200 km/h)	8,105 kgf (1,200 km/h)	1.18	1.13	1.06	0.99	0.74

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear426 km/h

The Mirage IIIC has no armour and is very susceptible to damage. Hits that do not outright destroy the aircraft will severely hamper manoeuvrability and performance. A damaged engine will require immediate landing, since the aircraft loses a lot of energy while turning, the loss of power will be very noticeable. Wing or tail/rudder damage will result in flatspins if the aircraft is taken to low speeds or if too many G's are pulled.

Overall, if damaged, a pilot should seek to land as soon as possible while attempting to make as few manoeuvres as possible.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 089 → 4 154

RB10 079 → 13 556

SB9 280 → 12 481

Total cost of modifications225 000

351 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 800

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

120 / 340 / 600 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 390 New boosters Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 360 Wings repair Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 500 Engine Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 530	Fuselage repair Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 390 Airframe Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 360 G-suit Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 500 Cover Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 530	Type 25C Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 390 Matra R511 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 390 aden_belt_pack Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 360 LAU-32 Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 360 Matra R530E Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 360 Type 21B Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 500 Matra JL-100R Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 500 aden_new_gun Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 530 Nord AS.30 Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 530 Matra R550 Magic 1 Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 530

Armaments

Suspended armament

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

Usage in battles

The Mirage IIIC is a multirole strike fighter which can be used in a wide variety of roles from air-to-air and a really limited role in air-to-ground.

When in air battles:

The Mirage IIIC is one of the most feared planes in the sky, not only because of its speed but because of its powerful air-to-air missiles. The Mirage has a wide range of AAMs featuring both IR seeker and radar-guided missiles: the AIM-9B, Matra R550 Magic 1, Matra R530E and the Matra R530. Each of the missiles has its pros and cons which will be explained. It should be noted that the Mirage should not be used as a bomber in Air Realistic battles due to its mediocre bomb payload.

AIM-9B:

This is one of the most universal and basic IR AAM which is available in many nations. Although they are one of the easiest missiles to evade, their speed and range make them deadly against unaware enemies.

Matra R550 Magic 1:

This is a unique French IR AAM which is hard to evade without the use of flares due to its high speed, G-limit and firing range. They are similar to the SRAAM missiles in terms of use due to its G-limit. The main difference is that the R550 does not have a thrust vectoring system, meaning it has to gain speed when launched in order to make turns which differs from SRAAM which can turn while gaining speed in super short distances (less than 1 km but greater than 200 m) due to the vectoring thrust.

Matra R530E:

This IR AAM has a tremendous explosive power, speed, and firing range. Despite not being the most agile AAM in the game, they are the best IR long range AAM. This comes with a cost, the Mirage only has access to 1 carried on the belly pylon. This missile should only be used when chasing enemy planes in a run, not while turning. The main downside is fighting against planes with Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) and Missile Alert Warning (MAW) which will automatically dump flares upon detecting the missile.

Matra R530:

This is the biggest radar-guided AAM in the game, exactly the same as the R530E but with radar guidance and without a maximum lock-on range in rear aspect, meaning it can be fired at any target locked by the radar no matter the aspect (rear, front, side, etc). The main downsides of this missile are the same as the R530E but this time it loses its "stealth" factor as many planes carry Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). MAW, IRCM and flares will not affect the performance of the missile as the only way to evade a radar lock-on missile is to escape from the radar range and azimuth or by causing interference using the ground (refer to Airborne radars#Clutter).

Take the required payload upon discretion.

When in ground battles:

The Mirage has a decent payload when in GRB. Although limited, the Mirage can do competitive CAS runs with the SNEB rocket pods, bombs, and Nord AGMs. With the help of the ballistic computer, the Mirage is capable of enhancing the accuracy of this armament in addition to its 30 mm gun pods. It should be noted that the amount of ordnance is really small (only 36 x SNEB rockets, 2 x 400 kg bombs, 2 x 250 kg bombs, or 1 x AS-30 Nord AGM) but can be deadly in a good pilot's hands.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Magic missiles have very high probability of kill
• Long range Matra R530E missile allows you to catch pilots by surprise
• 30 mm cannons are nose-mounted, so there is little need for convergence
• Very manoeuvrable
• Variety of suspended armament is vast

Cons:

• Bleeds energy at high angles of attack
• Relatively low thrust to weight ratio compared to its peers
• No armour
• Oldest/weakest engine of all current top-rank planes
• Can't accelerate from dogfight in time
• No flares
• No RWR

History

The Dassault Mirage IIIC is an upgrade of the Mirage IIIA, the IIIC is slightly longer than the IIIA. A notable Mirage III variant is the Mirage IIIV which was VTOL capable and supersonic capable but never in the same flight.

The Mirage III was operated by France, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Israel (they also made their own variants), Lebanon, Portugal (loaned), South Africa, Switzerland, Abu Dhabi and Venezuela.

It is still operated by the Pakistan Air Force and 1 is operated in Switzerland by a civilian company. Pakistan retrofit their Mirage III and Mirage 5 that were in service with the ROSE system, this retrofit refit the fighters with new parts such as the HUD, HOTAS, radar warning receiver and navigation systems.

Devblog

In 1952, the French government issued a specification for a lightweight, all-weather jet fighter capable of reaching supersonic speeds. Three French aircraft manufacturers responded to the call, designing new aircraft to meet the given specifications. Among them was Dassault Aviation which came up with the MD.550 Delta - a single engine delta wing design with a large vertical stabilizer and provisions for an additional propulsion system in the form of a rocket engine.

The MD.550 Delta prototype first took to the skies in June 1954. After having its flight data evaluated, the design underwent some changes and received the official name Mirage I. Subsequent test flights of the redesigned prototype showed improvements in flight performance, but Dassault quickly came to the conclusion that the aircraft was too small and light to meet the required ordnance-carrying capabilities and as such the prototype was eventually scrapped.

However, Dassault didn’t want to give up on the design. Instead, the company continued developing the aircraft, quickly coming up with an enlarged and more powerful version called Mirage II. With the advent of more powerful versions of the SNECMA Atar engines in the late 1950s, the Mirage II concept was abandoned before it even left the drawing board and Dassault immediately began working on an even larger version of the aircraft around the new engines. The result of this undertaking was the creation of the Mirage III.

By this time, the aircraft had also caught the attention of the French Air Force, which motivated Dassault to proceed with further development. In November 1956, the Mirage III first took to the skies, and after a number of subsequent test flights, an order for 10 pre-production machines, designated Mirage IIIA, was issued by the French Air Force.

Following positive experiences with the pre-production machines, the military placed a further order for 95 machines of the first production version, designated Mirage IIIC. This version of the Mirage first flew in October 1960 and entered official service in 1961, remaining in service with French units until the late 1980s.

Apart from French service, the Mirage IIIC also saw extensive use with the Israeli Air Force during the Six Day War as well as the Yom Kippur War of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some of the Israeli Mirages were later on sold to Argentina, which in turn used its Mirages in the Falklands War of the 1980s.

Media

Skins

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

Videos

The Shooting Range #202 - Pages of History section at 04:40 discusses the Mirage III.

The Shooting Range #214 - Metal Beasts section at 00:27 discusses the Mirage IIIC.

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.

External links

• [Devblog] Mirage IIIC: An Illusive Figure