- Yes
- No
The Mirage F1CR (for Chasse Reconnaissance) is a specialized version of the Mirage F1, developed by Dassault Aviation in the 1980s to meet the Air Force’s tactical reconnaissance needs while retaining air-to-air combat capability. Based on the Mirage F1C, the F1CR retains the same airframe and SNECMA Atar 9K-50 engine, but is equipped with a set of specific sensors integrated into the nose (cameras, infrared sensors, laser rangefinder, etc.), and can also carry additional reconnaissance pods (Presto, Corail, SLAR). The prototype’s first flight took place in 1981, and the aircraft entered service in 1983. Produced in 64 units, the F1CR embodies a robust and versatile solution for the strategic and tactical reconnaissance mission at low or medium altitude, with the ability to defend itself in combat.
The Mirage F1CR was used extensively by the French Air Force from 1983 to 2014, primarily within reconnaissance squadrons. Thanks to its onboard sensors and its ability to carry specialized pods, it carried out visual, photographic, electro-optical, and radar reconnaissance missions, day and night. The F1CR was engaged in all major French external operations from the 1980s to 2000s: Chad, the Gulf War (1991), former Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya (2011). It was often the first aircraft sent into the area to gather intelligence in real time, while being capable of effective defense with its Matra Magic II missiles. Its versatility and reliability made it a major asset of the airborne intelligence component. The Mirage F1CR left active service in June 2014, marking the end of the Mirage F1 line in the French Air Force, gradually being replaced by the Rafale, equipped for reconnaissance via the Reco NG pod.
Characteristics
The Mirage F1 CR is identical to the other single-seat Mirage F1 variants with refueling boom present in the French Air Force. We therefore find characteristics that are already well known to players
-
Length : 15.53m
-
Width : 8.45m
-
Height : 4.56m
-
Mass :
- Min : 8,100 kg
- Max : 15,550 kg
The aircraft is powered by a SNECMA Atar 9K-50 turbojet engine with 7200 kgp of thrust, which allows it to reach more than Mach 2 and climb to more than 60,000 feet in altitude.
Equipment
-
Radar :
The Mirage F1 CR is equipped with the Cyrano IV-MR, a version specialized for reconnaissance missions entrusted to the aircraft. This radar therefore loses the ability to guide radar-guided missiles but gains the possibility of terrain mapping and low-altitude navigation. -
RWR :
The RWR used is the Thompson-CSF Serval already present on the Mirage F1 CT, this RWR allows 360° display and detection of search and tracking radars -
Decoys :
The aircraft is equipped with MATRA Corail pods under the wings (already present under the Mirage F1 present in the game) allowing it to have a significant quantity of countermeasures. Additionally the aircraft can carry the PHIMAT chaff pod (one pod under each wing) as well as various electronic countermeasure pods (CT51, Barax, Barracouda or Ramora) -
Additional Equipment :
- SCM2400 Super Cyclone: This infrared imaging sensor is located in place of the aircraft’s right guns, it allows an infrared survey of what is happening in front of the aircraft during reconnaissance phases, however it does not serve as an IRST
- TRT-40: panoramic camera installed under the nose of the aircraft allowing images to be taken during reconnaissance missions.
- Omera 35 / Omera 40: Panoramic camera installed under the nose of the aircraft to take reconnaissance images
- Presto : A radar recon pod (under the fuselage) alowing a high quality radar scan of the ground below and around the aircraft.
Weapons
The armament of this aircraft is relatively simple because its missions did not foresee it finding itself in real combat situations. However, it remains able to use the following equipment
-
DEFA 533 canon : The aircraft carry a single 30mm DEFA canon (on its left like the Mirage F1CT)
-
Matra Magic 2 : This plane can only carry IR missiles on its wingtip (due to the fact its radar lost the capacity to guide SARH missile).
-
Matra SNEB : the various rockets that the previous Mirage F1C can carry are compatible whith this plane.
-
Bombs : the bomb payload is the same that the one found on the Mirage F1C
Video
FRANCE : L’avion de chasse Mirage F1CR de la France.
French Mirage F1CR refueling by C-135F during 1991 Gulf War
Défilé du 14 juillet : le Mirage F1 tire sa révérence - YouTube
Sources
- Mirage F1 : origines, caractéristiques et performances
- Dassault Mirage F1CR
- Mirage F-1CR et CT - Escadrilles
- Dassault Aviation Mirage F1-CR — avionslegendaires.net
- L’escadron de reconnaissance 2/33 Savoie - Escadrilles
- ImagesDéfense - Un avion de combat Mirage F1-CR, armé de missiles Matra R-550 Magic II en bout d’ailes s’avance sur la piste de la BA (base aérienne) d’Al Ahsa.