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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I’m introducing you to a little-known French aircraft, one of the variable-geometry Mirages, the Mirage G8 02.
The Mirage G8-02 is the second prototype of the Mirage G8 program, developed by Dassault Aviation in the early 1970s to study the operational potential of a variable-geometry wing fighter. Unlike the G8-01, which was a two-seater, the G8-02 is a single-seat version closer to a production configuration, intended to test high-performance fighter and interception scenarios. It adopts the aerodynamic formula of the program, with pivoting wings capable of modifying their sweep in flight, and two SNECMA Atar 9K-50 turbojets. The first flight of the G8-02 took place on July 13, 1972, a little over a year after that of the G8-01. This prototype was supposed to demonstrate the performance of a variable-geometry multirole aircraft, but like its predecessor, the program was abandoned in 1975 for budgetary, strategic and political reasons.
The Mirage G8-02 never entered service with the French Air Force and, like the G8-01, remained an experimental prototype. The objective of this single-seat version was to validate the tactical performance of the concept in air defense, nuclear strike, and even tactical support roles, with an airframe closer to an operational aircraft. The G8-02 contributed to flight tests, maneuverability studies, and the development of the pivoting wing system, but the lack of alignment between technological ambitions and the reality of French military needs led to the termination of the program before any industrialization. The experience gained with the G8 prototypes, however, enriched Dassault’s know-how, particularly in mobile structures and twin-engine integration, know-how that would later be found in the development of the Rafale. The G8-02 remains a significant milestone in the history of French advanced prototypes in the post-Mirage III era.
Characteristics
The Mirage G8 01 is an imposing combat aircraft compared to other aircraft designed by Dassault, this one is much longer, wider and has a very significant mass compared to its predecessor.
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Length : 20.20 m
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Width :
- Min : 8.65 m
- Max : 15.30 m
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Height : 6.15 m
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Mass :
- Min : 15,560 kg
- Max : 30.5 t
The Mirage G8 02 is powered by two Atar 9K50 engines of 4,870 kgp dry and 6,970 kgp with pc, which allowed it to reach Mach 2.5 and reach an altitude of 17,000 m. These engines are extremely powerful but consume little fuel, giving it a range of 1,100 km while remaining at Mach 0.9 at an altitude of 150 meters. The aircraft is capable of climbing to 15,000m and Mach 2.2 in 6 min 50 s with a takeoff weight of 23,600kg.
Thanks to its variable geometry (70° maximum folding), the aircraft can land at a speed of 225 km/h
Visually this aircraft is surprising because its cockpit is positioned far back compared to its contemporaries, which gives it a very long and tapered nose.
Equipment
Intended to have the same equipment as the Mirage F1 and Jaguar, the Mirage G8 incorporates some of the same features as those aircraft. However, due to the prototype’s abandonment, most of the equipment was never installed.
- Radar :
The radar planned for the Mirage G8 was the Cyrano IV from the Mirage F1, allowing it to intercept targets and guide its missiles onto them.
No RWR or countermeasures are announced for the aircraft because it never had the opportunity to install them. However, the systems installed on the Mirage F1 and Jaguars were planned to be installed on the aircraft.
Weapons
The Mirage G8 02 was intended for interception and hunting, therefore its armament differs from that of the Mirage G8 01.The following armaments are found under its wings:.
- Matra Magic 1 or Aim-9B
- Matra R530
- Matra R530E
The missiles are installed under the wings, with the R530s installed close to the fuselage and the short-range infrared missiles installed under the rotating points under the wings.
The Martel anti-radiation missile was also installed under the infrared missile hardpoints. (Thanks to @FENNEC3000 for the images)
Pictures
Video
VIDEO - Le Mirage G8, le prototype à géométrie variable de Dassault - Aerobuzz
LE MIRAGE III G ! Le F-14 Tomcat à la Française ! Histoire.
This aircraft would be a very interesting addition for France, bringing new gameplay with a variable geometry aircraft that would allow to complete the French lineup and to face certain aircraft that had the same roles such as the F-104.