The Mirage IIIC is the first production version of one of the most famous French jet fighter families of the Cold War. Representing the bleeding edge of aviation technology at the time, the highly anticipated Mirage IIIC is finally arriving in War Thunder with the major update, becoming the new crowning jewel of the French aviation tree!

Mirage IIIC, jet fighter, France, VI rank.

Pros

• Mach 2 capable
• Wide missile arsenal
• Excellent agility

Cons

• Limited ammunition
• High energy loss during maneuvers

The highly anticipated and long awaited Mirage IIIC will finally be arriving in War Thunder with the release of the upcoming update. Thanks to a combination of its excellent flight performance, owed to its delta wing design and powerful engine, as well as a vast assortment of missile armament, the Mirage IIIC will rightfully take its place at the top of the French aviation tree, following its introduction to the game as part of the next major update!

The Mirage IIIC, although a visually stunning aircraft, wouldn’t be worth more than its scrap value would it not be for its extremely powerful SNECMA Atar 9B turbojet engine. Capable of generating 6,000 kgf (58.8 kN) of thrust, the Atar 9B allows the Mirage IIIC to reach a top speed of 2,112 km/h (Mach 2) at an altitude of 15,000 m. 

Furthermore, the Mirage IIIC has an additional ace up its sleeve which not many aircraft in the game possess - a secondary propulsion system in the form of the SEPR 844 rocket engine, mounted underneath the tail section. When mounted, this rocket pod generates an additional 1,500 kgf of thrust for its 80s long run time, allowing the aircraft to achieve higher acceleration rates for a brief period of time.

However, as already mentioned, this rocket pod isn’t an integral part of the aircraft. Instead, it comes (or doesn’t come) fitted to the aircraft depending on the weapon loadout chosen by pilots. Specifically, the rocket booster only comes equipped when pilots choose an ‘interceptor’ loadout, i.e. a loadout containing the Matra R530 IR-guided AAM as well as other air-to-air missiles. On the other hand, the rocket booster will not be available on loadouts more centered around ground attack as well as on loadouts which max out the aircrafts payload.

Having already briefly touched on the subject of the Mirage IIIC’s weaponry above, we may as well go into some more details now. Upon unlocking the Mirage IIIC, pilots will find an aircraft whose default armament consists of two 30mm DEFA cannons with an ammunition complement of just 125 rounds per barrel. As a result of the DEFAs high rate of fire, pilots will be able to empty the Mirage’s ammunition in under 6 seconds of continuous fire. In other words, conserving ammunition and just shooting off bite-sized bursts at the enemy during an intense dogfight is of paramount importance unless you want to run dry at the most inconvenient of times.

However, the Mirage’s limited ammunition is more than amply compensated by the fact that the aircraft can carry a vast array of secondary weapons, most notably a variety of AAMs, including the new to the game R550 Magic. Furthermore, 68mm SNEB unguided rockets, bombs of 250 and 400 kg calibers as well as the AS.30 AGM can be mounted on the aircraft to give it more versatility in combat, especially in combined battles.

The Mirage IIIC is coming to War Thunder with the upcoming major update and will await all eager pilots as the new crowning jewel of the French aviation tree. In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to the news as we continue to showcase some of the new additions coming to the game with the next major update. Until then, clear skies pilots!

The War Thunder Team

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