Dassault Mirage IV

Overview

The Dassault Mirage IV is a supersonic strategic bomber and deep-reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. Development of the Mirage IV began in the mid-1950s in response to a need for a supersonic carrier aircraft for France's independent nuclear deterrent. Dassault competed with other aircraft manufacturers, such as Sud Aviation and Nord Aviation, to have its proposal built, which was viewed as being both cheaper and simpler to develop in part due to it drawing upon the earlier Dassault Mirage III fighter. While originally intended as a dedicated bomber, a reconnaissance variant would also be developed. The first prototype, Mirage IV 01, performed its maiden flight on 17 June 1959; it set a new world record for speed over a 1000-kilometre closed circuit of 1,822 km/h (1,132 mph) on 19 September 1960. The first production-standard aircraft was completed during December 1963 and the Mirage IV entered service with the French Air Force in October 1964. For many years, the type was a vital part of the nuclear triad of the Force de Frappe, France's nuclear deterrent striking force. While initially intended for a high-altitude mission profile, the fleet was modified during the 1960s to be flown at low altitude instead in response to increasingly capable anti-aircraft systems. This vulnerability also led to an increasing emphasis of other platforms for the nuclear deterrent platform, such as land-based missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missile. The fleet received various updates during its service life, including modifications to carry and launch the nuclear Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP) stand-off missile in place of gravity-dropped bombs. During 1996, the Mirage IV was retired from the nuclear strike role in favour of the newer Dassault Mirage 2000N, while the last examples of the type were withdrawn from operational service in 2005. There was investigations into potential export sales of the Mirage IV; during the 1960s, it was proposed that Dassault enter into a partnership with the British Aircraft Corporation to jointly produce a Mirage IV variant for the Royal Air Force and potentially for other export customers, but this project did not come to fruition. The Mirage IV was ultimately not adopted by any other operators.