Difference between revisions of "Mirage IIIE"

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(Engine performance: Added)
(Pros and cons)
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* Excellent missile armament
 
* Excellent missile armament
 
* Slim airframe
 
* Slim airframe
* Powerfull canons
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* Powerful canons
* Added multirole capability over the Mirage IIIC
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* Added multi-role capability over the Mirage IIIC
 
* Flare/chaff dispenser, for 60 slots
 
* Flare/chaff dispenser, for 60 slots
 
* RWR equipped
 
* RWR equipped
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mirage_3e Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mirage_3e Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 +
 
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* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''

Revision as of 17:33, 16 June 2021

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
Mirage IIIE
mirage_3e.png
GarageImage Mirage IIIE.jpg
Mirage IIIE
AB RB SB
10.3 10.3 10.7
Research:150 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:830 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Mirage IIIE is a rank VII French jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB/RB) and 10.7 (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

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel, no booster)
SNECMA Atar 9C 1 7,360 kg 291 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load, no booster) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 8m fuel 20m fuel 28m fuel
1,450 kg Afterburning axial-flow turbojet 7,929 kg 8,686 kg 9,256 kg 10,950 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP, no booster)
Condition 100% WEP 8m fuel 20m fuel 28m fuel MTOW
Stationary 4,210 kgf 5,538 kgf 0.70 0.64 0.60 0.51
Optimal 5,389 kgf
(1,200 km/h)
7,797 kgf
(1,200 km/h)
0.98 0.90 0.84 0.71

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 Sl icon.png
RB10 283 → 13 830 Sl icon.png
SB8 954 → 12 043 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications261 000 Rp icon.png
405 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training240 000 Sl icon.png
Experts830 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 000 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 140 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
120 / 350 / 600 % Sl icon.png
238 / 238 / 238 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
550 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
550 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Type 25C
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
aden_belt_pack
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
LAU-32
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
Matra R530E
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Type 21B
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
Matra JL-100R
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
aden_new_gun
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
550 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
Nord AS.30
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
550 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
Matra R550 Magic 1
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
550 Ge icon.png

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)
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png

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
  • Powerful canons
  • Added multi-role 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

The Mirage IIIE is a multirole fighter version of the Mirage III series of attack aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation for the French Air Force. The aircraft was a follow-up to the earlier Mirage IIIC, featuring a fuselage extension, countermeasures and increased weapons capabilities. The first Mirage IIIE was built in 1964 and would quickly become the most popular variant of the Mirage in French service: the last Mirages would not be retired from French service until 1994.

Compared to the earlier Mirage IIIC, the Mirage IIIE featured numerous improvements: notably, the fuselage was stretched by 30 cm (12 in) to accommodate additional avionics and fuel tanks. It was updated with the 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 was 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. The Head-Up-Display unit was also 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 4,000 kg payload in total.

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 IIIE was the most popular version of Mirage III family, with 523 being built and delivered to both France and customers around the world, the Swiss and Pakistani versions can equip Chaff/Flare dispenser in to the bottom of the fuselage too. 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

Skins
Images

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

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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

Template:AirManufacturer Bloch

France jet aircraft
Fighters  M.D.450B Ouragan · M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA · Super Mystere B2
  ▄F-86K · ▄F-100D · ▄F-8E(FN)
  Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan · Mirage 5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 4000
  Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT
Strike aircraft  ▄F-84F · F-84F IAF · ▄F-84G-26-RE
  Etendard IVM · Super Etendard · Alpha Jet E
  Jaguar A · Jaguar E · Mirage 2000D-R1
Bombers  S.O.4050 Vautour IIA · Vautour IIA IDF/AF · S.O.4050 Vautour IIB · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN (late)