At the end of 1995, Sextant Avionique delivered the first production sets of avionics for the multi-role Dassault Mirage 2000-5. The first production deliveries of the aircraft for the French air force are scheduled to take place this year, and the -5 is also being promoted for export.
All cockpit equipment for the type comes from Sextant. This includes a combined head-up and head-level display, an MFD 55 liquid-crystal, multi-function display, lateral displays and the multi-function standby instrument - which combines the back-up instrument functions in a singe unit, with a mixed conventional and liquid-crystal display (LCD). All this equipment is unique to the -5 variant of the Mirage 2000. Sextant claims that the MFD 55 makes the -5 the first production combat aircraft to be fitted with an LCD.
The head-level display is a unit just below the head-up display (HUD) which provides the pilot with medium-term information for navigation and awareness of the tactical situation. The lateral displays are located either side of the "central pylon",consisting of the HUD, head-level display and head-down display, and give the pilot technical information on aircraft systems - engines, hydraulics and such.
Sextant also supplies the autopilot, navigation equipment - including a global-positioning system (GPS) - the air-data unit, and various probes for the aircraft.
As distinct from earlier Mirage 2000 models, Sextant says that the -5 offers additional "advanced air-to-air modes" -which the company declines to explain further for reasons of secrecy - and tactical situation-management functions. The cockpit offers the pilot detailed information on the aircraft's tactical situation, either from on-board sensors or gathered from outside sources by datalink, enhancing the pilot's awareness of potential threats, targets and friendly aircraft.
Sextant says that it is also using the 2000-5 to test prototypes of its Topsight helmet-mounted display, under development for the Dassault Rafale. Tests so far have shown "considerable gains in visual acquisition as well as high-precision target designation", says Sextant. The company will be offering Topsight worldwide for combat aircraft, including the 2000-5.
Source: Flight International
