Book number 12 in their Aircraft of the French Air Force and Navy collection is on the Mirage 2000N. The N stands for Nuclear (at least I think it does) as the 2000N is a two seat aircraft based on the Mirage 2000B trainer. This aircraft was designed to take the place of the Mirage IV bomber as it was running out of airframe time. Since nuclear weapons are a lot smaller than they used to be, a large airframe was no longer needed. The main weapon is the ASMP cruise missile, of which the 2000N carries one on the centerline. ASMP stands for Air-Sol Moyenne Portée and is what is considered to be a 'warning shot' air to surface missile with a relatively low yield of 150 or 300 kilotons. If those are not taken to heart, a full scale strategic nuclear strike would be ordered. 

The standard Mirage 2000 airframe has been with the French Air Force for well nigh 30 years and has been a very good seller overseas. It is a replacement for the equally long-lived Mirage III series, though with much greater range and capabilities. 2000N aircraft have been with two wings, EC 3 and EC4 as well as a few test units. There were 75 aircraft built and most of them are still flying as the accident rate has been pretty low. These planes will eventually be replaced by versions of the Rafale. The 2000N is also capable of self defense air to air combat as well as being able to deliver standard air to ground ordnance if required. The 2000N variant has not been exported.

In this book by Hervé Beaumont, we are given a full history of the type from the prototypes through to operational aircraft. Thanks to using a proven airframe, the time to operational use was fairly short. We get a look at the various units the aircraft flies with as well as the weapons it can carry. This includes a look at the ASMP and its use. In this section, the faces of the ground crews and pilots are blacked out in the photos. Speaking of photos, there are hundreds in the book with only a few not in color. We are also treated to a walk around and a look at the various systems in the aircraft. Some of the special deployments, such as Red Flag are also covered. H&C is known for its profiles that this one is no exception. A real treat for enthusiasts is that there is a photo of every aircraft built along with some information on the unit with which it was photographed and any interesting information on the photo itself. Despite the book being completely in French, it is not difficult to glean information from it. Besides, this series is basically lots and lots of photos. The only thing I have not been able to decipher is that in 2009 the codes on the nose changed. Perhaps someone can fill me in on this!

If you have an interest in this aircraft, you will find no better collection of images than this one. It is a book I enjoyed and I know you will as well.

March 2012

Review book courtesy of  Casemate Publishing, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb books.

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