4187 x 3140 px | 35,4 x 26,6 cm | 14 x 10,5 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
14 luglio 2018
Ubicazione:
RAF Fairford, Ohio Avenue, Fairford, UK
Altre informazioni:
The new French tactical display team from this season will be named Couteau Delta and fly with two Mirage 2000D aircraft from 2/3 Champagne BA133 Nancy-Ochey. he Mirage 2000 family has provided the backbone of the Armée de l'Air's frontline fighter fleet since the 1980s, the single seat C variant being the first to enter service. Where RAMEX Delta, drawn from Escadron de Chasse 2/4 "La Fayette", operated the nuclear capable two-seater 2000N version, Couteau fly the ground-attack and strike variant of the type, the D model. In fact, surprisingly it was the N variant which came first with the D model a later development from it, flying five years after its forebear in 1991. There are few differences between the two variants, the 2000D simply being an N version with support for air-to-surface missiles and various other strike capabilities not required for a dedicated nuclear platform. Externally they are identical apart from one tiny difference - the 2000N has a pitot tube on the tip of the nose whereas the 2000D does not. Good luck spotting that from the ground! The team is formed of two Escadrons de Chasse from Nancy-Ochey air base: 2/3 "Champagne" and 3/3 "Ardennes", though two of the aircraft they have used are actually from EC 1/3 "Navarre" (and are painted in special schemes commemorating the centenaries of two of that squadron's flights (escadrilles), SPAs 95 and 153). While the Rafale "omnirole" jet is slowly taking over in service from many older types in the French military, the 2000D still remains relevant, having been part of the French Air Force's efforts over Syria and Iraq as part of Operation Chammal since 2014; notably, it has fired the Storm Shadow cruise missile (known as SCALP-EG in French service) in combat. It is expected to serve for at least another 15 years following a Mid-Life Upgrade.
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