Dassault Mirage F1 The Dassault Mirage F1 is a military aircraft designed and built by French Dassault as successor of the fighter Mirage III . This fighter differs from the other family aircraft " " Mirage " in " the shape of its wing on the arrow instead of a delta wing . Version available to recognize and attack the " Mirage F1 " is considered the supersonic fighter of European second generation more successful , being acquired by the air forces of eleven countries for a total of 700 units built . Development . The Mirage F1 was developed to be the replacement fighter Dassault Mirage III and Dassault Mirage V . His studies began after the year 1963 , when French Air Force requested a study containing the specification of a multifunctional fighter capable of carrying out interception missions at supersonic speed and penetration at low altitude in any time . Also was required to accommodate two basic operational factors : greater autonomy and radius of the mission , and the use of distance shorter runways for take - off and landing , allowing the approach at a speed below 140 knots ( 260 km / h ) - all with the lowest possible cost . The use of delta wing used by the family Mirage fighter pilots demanded that they approached at high speed during procedures for landing , which led Dassault conduct an extensive survey of shape of wings for fighter aircraft . With this , the engineering department of the company Dassault began work on a project called Mirage F3 . This project would first reactor equipped with an American Pratt & Whitney TF - 106 and would use swept wings at the top of the fuselage with flaps in order to reduce the approach speed for landing . In 1965 , three prototypes of a two - seat version called " Mirage III F2 " are ordered . The first prototype , using a Pratt and Whitney TF30 , made its maiden flight on the day June 12 of 1966 . Later this year , has already demonstrated his ability to reach a speed of Mach 2 . Meanwhile , Dassault decided to develop a version of a small game with a place and equipped with engine Secma Atar 9K of Mirage IV designating Mirage F1 in 2001 . This aircraft made its maiden flight on the day December 23 of 1966 . In early January 1967 , during its fourth flight , this game has also reached a speed of Mach 2 . Despite the good performance shown by the prototypes Mirage III F2 and Mirage G with variable geometry wings ( first flight occurred on November 18 of 1966 ) , The French Air Force decided to no longer fund these projects , leaving only the design of " Mirage F1 " which was selected . The first flight of the series took place on February 15 of 1973 . Also in 1973 Dassault decided to build two copies designated for Europe Mirage F1 E and fitted with the SNECMA M53 engine . This model entered the contest for the NATO ' s standard fighter , that was rejected in favor of the F - 16 Fighting Falcon Entry in Service . The Mirage F1C placed in service for the French Air Force in May 1973 , when the first production of these fighters were delivered . Initially they were equipped with two air - air missiles Matra R530 medium - range than the two internal 30mm cannon . Later , in the late ' 70s , these missiles were replaced by Super 530 F , and the rails installed on the wings to house the air - air missiles Matra R550 Magic short range . Version daylight raid intended for export , this game came equipped with radar Aida II , sitema retractable refueling system and a navigation and attack radar telemetric time to open . This version could carry more internal fuel than the version " Mirage F1 C " . Version of training needed to be lengthened thirty centimeters to allow installation of a second . Possessed reduced capacity of fuel and was devoid of internal 30 mm cannon . tactical and reconnaissance aircraft , was developed to replace the Mirage III R and RD . The gun law was replaced by an infrared sensor . This aircraft owned in the nose of a camera panning ( Omer 40 ) or vertical viewing ( Omer 33 ) , and is equipped with a new navigation system and attack . He owned a series of " pods " for external recognition ( cameras , radars , etc . ) . . The prototype made its first flight on November 20 of 1981 and entered service in July 1983 . Variants . Mirage F1 CR * Mirage F1 CT ( Assault , the only place ) Aircraft from a place of tactical assault , was meant to replace the Mirage and Mirage IIIE 5F . They were equipped with a laser rangefinder added a new radar detector warning system and a new ejection seat . The electrical system was completely replaced with updated electronic board . Was also removed the cannon left permitinfo the installation of two small cameras . The first aircraft entered service in 1992 . Below are the main differences in each version :