Dassault began studying the Mirage 2000 on its own funds in 1972. Its shape was established in the last quarter of 1975 and in June 1976 four prototypes were launched on an official contract. AMD-BA was awarded the contract to design and build four Mirage 2000 prototypes and a test airframe on August 25. Jean Coureau flew the first Mirage 2000-01 out of Istres on March 10, 1978.
General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 14.36 m
* Wingspan: 9.13 m
* Height: 5.30 m
* Wing area: 41 m²
* Empty weight: 7,600 kg
* Loaded weight: 13,800 kg
* Max takeoff weight: 17,000 kg
* Powerplant: 1× SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan, 95 kN (21,400 lbf)
Performance
* Maximum speed: (Mach 2.2) altitude
* Range: 1,480 km
* Service ceiling: 18,000 m
* Rate of climb: 285 m/s
* Wing loading: 337 kg/m²
* Thrust/weight: 0.70
Armament
* Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA cannons
* Missiles: 4× MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles
