ENAER Pantera: The Chilean upgrade

[panzerknoef 695]

Hi there, I'm back with another suggestion of another Mirage III derivative, this time the Chilean ENAER Pantera

 

Chile's history with Mirages starts with the purchase of 16 Mirage 50s from France in 1980. At the time the Mirage 50 was the final evolution of the Mirage III airframe, featuring a new engine, radar and a bunch of other upgrades over the standard Mirage III. Chile acquired these Mirage 50s in two batches, which are also considered to be 2 different variants: the 50C and the 50FC. The 50FCs were re-engined Mirage 5Fs while the 50Cs were newly built models. The latter also came equipped with the AGAVE radar. However, after only a few years, the Chilean air force started a program to modernize these aircraft. This program would be called "Bracket" and it would be executed by the local concern ENAER with the help of IAI. The plane that was used as a prototype was the Mirage 50C 514. This initial upgrade incorporated vortex generator fillets in the aircraft radar cone and canard fins and was unveiled during FIDA 86, the model was renamed Mirage 50CN. However, after these first upgrades, it was decided that the aircraft should be upgraded even further. The resulting upgrade was the most important modernization program in the history of Chile. The latest set of changes to the aircraft included the addition of an extensive avionics upgrade that included a HUD supplied by Israel Electro-Optics, a multifunction display, an inertial navigator, a weapons management system, ELTA 2001B rangefinder radar, and an EWPS-100 electronic warfare device developed by the Chilean company DTS. This system comprises a DM/A-104 radar alert receiver, DM/A-202 chaff and flare launchers, and an A-401 jammer. The RWR and EWS were further developments of Caiquén and Eclipse, developed domestically in Chile in the 1980s. Caiquén was the development destined to alert the pilots of the emission of enemy radars, this device was capable of identifying if the signal of radar came from surveillance, acquisition, or fire control equipment, both terrestrial and aerial. The system had a weight that did not exceed 10 kg. Having coverage of 360º in azimuth and +/- 40º in elevation, Eclipse consisted of a passive self-defense system intended to disturb active radars or IR missiles. The flare/chaff dispensers are located at the end of the ventral paddle that is under the outlet nozzle. All these new avionics had to be housed somewhere, and this was done in a one-meter-long section that was added to the nose. This gave the aircraft its characteristic nose. The undercarriage too was changed, with the aircraft receiving a system that closely resembled the one found on Kfir. This new undercarriage allowed the aircraft to carry heavier external loads. The aircraft first flew in 1988 and the final upgraded airframe was delivered in 1994. They were eventually retired between 2006 and 2007 in favor of the newly acquired F-16s.

The upgrade also opened new options as far as ordnance goes. Support for the Python 3 missile was added in 1993 to replace the then-outdated Shafrir-2 missiles. The aircraft was also made compatible with the Mk82, 83, and 84 bombs. Later in 1995, support for LGB-type weapons was added, in this case, the IAI Griffin, though it doesn't seem that the aircraft is capable of guiding these bombs in by itself as it lacks the sensors to do so. The newly upgraded aircraft could also carry the IAI-Elta ELL-8212/8222 jammer. The last change to the aircraft was made in 1996, and this included the addition of an in-flight refueling probe. 

 

General Characteristics:

 

Width: 8.22 m

Length: 15.56 m

Height: 4.25 m

Engine: 1x SNECMA Atar 9K50 (5000kgf - 7200kgf)

Max takeoff weight: 13700 kg

Max speed: 2335 km/h à 12000 m

Operational ceiling: 18800 m

Max range: 1250 Km

Crew: 1

 

Armament:

 

2x DEFA 30mm cannons

2x Shafrir 2 (used on the aircraft before they were upgraded to Pantera standard)

Up to 4x Python 3

2x IAI Griffin type LGBs (but without the ability to guide them in by itself)

Mk. 82 bombs

Mk. 83 bombs 

Mk. 84 bombs 

Cardoen CB-60-K bombs 

Cardoen CB-250-K bombs

Cardoen CB-500-K bombs 

68mm SNEB rocket pods

 

 

I would already like to thank @Chilean_Thunder for his massive support in the creation of this suggestion, his information greatly helped flesh out the thread. 

 

sources:

Spoiler

https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=2162

https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1321

https://www.avionslegendaires.net/avion-militaire/enaer-pantera/

http://mirage3.chez.com/chili.html

http://tallyho.cl/10-anos-del-ultimo-vuelo-oficial-del-mirage-pantera-de-la-fuerza-aerea-de-chile/

https://www.key.aero/forum/modern-military-aviation/5614-mirage-50c-pantera

 

additional images:

Spoiler

P

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by panzerknoef

[ItssLuBu 1,803]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[panzerknoef 695]

1 hour ago, ItssLuBu said:

Approved and open for discussion. 

Thanks! 

[CubicSquare 156]

On 24/10/2021 at 17:43, panzerknoef said:

2x AIM-9 sidewinder (no clue what model Chile would've used on them, but since they apparently didn't use R550s, they must have had some form of AIM-9 at the start)

Those look like Python 3s in the photos. Considering that this is an upgrade, these may have been the only missiles it ever used.

[Milocat 4,857]

+1 for a future South American tree or maybe as a French premium/event if that never comes.

[panzerknoef 695]

On 24/03/2022 at 06:31, CubicSquare said:

Those look like Python 3s in the photos. Considering that this is an upgrade, these may have been the only missiles it ever used.

That does indeed sound quite likely, don't know why I never even considered that! 

[Bucky_pork 44]

+1

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

a plane with a lot of personality, and the name "panther" suits it great. +1

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

I have this image that shows in detail all the components of this Chilean fighter. I hope you like it and it will be helpful if in the future this fighter is chosen for the game.

 

Edited February 17, 2023 by Chilean_Thunder

[panzerknoef 695]

On 12/12/2022 at 21:08, Chilean_Thunder said:

I have this image that shows in detail all the components of this Chilean fighter. I hope you like it and it will be helpful if in the future this fighter is chosen for the game.

This is brilliant! Thank you so much, I'll add it to the main post! 

[Colerend 225]

+1 for Israeli tree. It even has a long nose.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Colerend
error

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

You could put any of these photos as the main photo, since they are seen with the painting that stood out so much to the Chilean version with logos of black panthers, it looks super cool. 

 

 

Mirage 50 pantera with its distinctive paintwork

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

I think there is a lot of information missing in this post about the improvements that the planes received, although for the moment I will add some bombs that were not included. I would also like to know where you found the information to say that they used Python 4 and Python 5, that interests me

 

 

Cardoen CB-60-K and CB-250-K bombs

 

 

Cardoen CB-500-K bombs

 

 

Rocket pods and Mk.82 / Mk.83 and Mk. 84 bombs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[panzerknoef 695]

On 08/04/2023 at 06:38, Chilean_Thunder said:

I think there is a lot of information missing in this post about the improvements that the planes received, although for the moment I will add some bombs that were not included. I would also like to know where you found the information to say that they used Python 4 and Python 5, that interests me

 

 

Cardoen CB-60-K and CB-250-K bombs

 

 

Cardoen CB-500-K bombs

 

 

Rocket pods and Mk.82 / Mk.83 and Mk. 84 bombs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, I've added them to the weapons list. Tbf I can't remember where Python 4 came from anymore, Python 5 was on that cutout drawing that you linked. Upon re-checking just now I can't find proper evidence for either so I've just removed them. Also edited the part talking about the upgrades. 

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

I will leave here my own description of the history of these planes in Chile, this description is part of my own Chilean air sub tree:

 

 

In 1979, Chile bought 16 Mirage 50 aircraft from Avions Marcel Dassault - Breguet Aviation (AMD). The first eight Mirage 50 FC (500 to 507, later the 500 would be re-registered 508) were delivered to Chile in 1980, then between 1982 and 1983 they received 6 corresponding to the Mirage 50C model (509 to 514) that came equipped with the AGAVE radar and finally two Mirage 50 DC trainers (515 and 516) were received, all of them already in Chile in 1983. Before being delivered to Chile, these aircraft were modified by changing the original Atar 9C engine, which was replaced by an Atar 9K-50 that contributed 7,200 kg push full power. Chile began the first known modernization program as "Bracket", this new program was implemented by the Chilean national company ENAER under the advice and support of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., the plane that was used as a prototype was the Mirage 50C series 514 that incorporated vortex generator fillets in the aircraft radar cone and canard fins and was unveiled during FIDA 86 and renamed as Mirage 50CN. Later, it was decided to implement even more updates and improvements to the Mirage 50, becoming the most important modernization project in the history of Chile; In addition, the landing gear was replaced by another similar to those used by IA Kfir aircraft, in order to be able to lift heavier external loads, and the integration of a new nose section Kfir style that extended its nose by one meter length, this change allowed the integration of navigation equipment of British origin and the integration of a new radar, the ELTA EL/M2001B manufactured in Israel. All these changes were implemented in the same first plane, the Mirage 50C 514 series, which was presented with all the new improvements in 1988, being renamed "Pantera" and all these improvements being implemented in the other Mirage 50s. Initially the planes " Pantera" operated the Shafrir 2 but from 1993 the Israeli Python III missile was approved throughout the fleet, in addition a modernization kit called Griffin from Israel was integrated for the Mk.82 / Mk.83 and Mk. 84 and for 1995 the LGB Griffin were part of the "Pantera" fleet that would later be inherited for the Mirage M-5MA Elkan. Regarding the plane's electronics, it integrated more evolved versions of the Caiquén and Eclipse developed in the early 1980s by the Electronics Department of the Chilean Air Force Research Directorate. These developments were taken over by the company Desarrollo de Tecnologías y Sistemas (DTS) who integrated a complete suite of locally developed electronic countermeasures into the two aforementioned products. This suite received the name DM/A-401 and was the last component intended for the electronic protection of the aircraft, Caiquén was the development destined to alert the pilots of the emission of enemy radars, being this device capable of identifying if the signal of a radar came from a surveillance, acquisition or fire control equipment, both terrestrial and aerial. The system had a weight that did not exceed 10 kg. Having a coverage of 360º in azimuth and +/- 40º in elevation, Eclipse consisted of a passive self-defense system intended to disturb active radars or IR missiles. As of 1996, the aerial refueling probe was added. Finally, on December 28, 2007, the entire Pantera fleet was decommissioned.

 

 

Detail of the Canards fins of the Pantera. Beside, detail of the mid-air refueling lance - Detail of the RWR antenna in the drift. Beside, detail of the ECM dispenser of the Pantera

 

Cockpit of the Pantera

 

 

[panzerknoef 695]

On 09/04/2023 at 18:06, Chilean_Thunder said:

I will leave here my own description of the history of these planes in Chile, this description is part of my own Chilean air sub tree:

 

 

In 1979, Chile bought 16 Mirage 50 aircraft from Avions Marcel Dassault - Breguet Aviation (AMD). The first eight Mirage 50 FC (500 to 507, later the 500 would be re-registered 508) were delivered to Chile in 1980, then between 1982 and 1983 they received 6 corresponding to the Mirage 50C model (509 to 514) that came equipped with the AGAVE radar and finally two Mirage 50 DC trainers (515 and 516) were received, all of them already in Chile in 1983. Before being delivered to Chile, these aircraft were modified by changing the original Atar 9C engine, which was replaced by an Atar 9K-50 that contributed 7,200 kg push full power. Chile began the first known modernization program as "Bracket", this new program was implemented by the Chilean national company ENAER under the advice and support of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., the plane that was used as a prototype was the Mirage 50C series 514 that incorporated vortex generator fillets in the aircraft radar cone and canard fins and was unveiled during FIDA 86 and renamed as Mirage 50CN. Later, it was decided to implement even more updates and improvements to the Mirage 50, becoming the most important modernization project in the history of Chile; In addition, the landing gear was replaced by another similar to those used by IA Kfir aircraft, in order to be able to lift heavier external loads, and the integration of a new nose section Kfir style that extended its nose by one meter length, this change allowed the integration of navigation equipment of British origin and the integration of a new radar, the ELTA EL/M2001B manufactured in Israel. All these changes were implemented in the same first plane, the Mirage 50C 514 series, which was presented with all the new improvements in 1988, being renamed "Pantera" and all these improvements being implemented in the other Mirage 50s. Initially the planes " Pantera" operated the Shafrir 2 but from 1993 the Israeli Python III missile was approved throughout the fleet, in addition a modernization kit called Griffin from Israel was integrated for the Mk.82 / Mk.83 and Mk. 84 and for 1995 the LGB Griffin were part of the "Pantera" fleet that would later be inherited for the Mirage M-5MA Elkan. Regarding the plane's electronics, it integrated more evolved versions of the Caiquén and Eclipse developed in the early 1980s by the Electronics Department of the Chilean Air Force Research Directorate. These developments were taken over by the company Desarrollo de Tecnologías y Sistemas (DTS) who integrated a complete suite of locally developed electronic countermeasures into the two aforementioned products. This suite received the name DM/A-401 and was the last component intended for the electronic protection of the aircraft, Caiquén was the development destined to alert the pilots of the emission of enemy radars, being this device capable of identifying if the signal of a radar came from a surveillance, acquisition or fire control equipment, both terrestrial and aerial. The system had a weight that did not exceed 10 kg. Having a coverage of 360º in azimuth and +/- 40º in elevation, Eclipse consisted of a passive self-defense system intended to disturb active radars or IR missiles. As of 1996, the aerial refueling probe was added. Finally, on December 28, 2007, the entire Pantera fleet was decommissioned.

 

 

Detail of the Canards fins of the Pantera. Beside, detail of the mid-air refueling lance - Detail of the RWR antenna in the drift. Beside, detail of the ECM dispenser of the Pantera

 

Cockpit of the Pantera

 

 

Thanks again! I've once again rewritten the suggestion text, hope I included all the important extras that you mentioned. I'm also wondering if you know if the 4x missile configuration was only added with the Pythons in 1993, or if this was already possible with the Shafrir-2s before that upgrade? 

 

On a side note, it might also be interesting to do a separate suggestion for Mirage 50C #514 in its intermediate upgrade stage. Its differences with the final aircraft were significant enough to consider it a different model in my opinion. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by panzerknoef

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

I want to share this table of the Mirages, it is part of a book on the Mirage 50 of Chile, the table shows the 50CN version, which is the one that Chile operated in the Pantera version, which is the one in this publication, it has some technical differences such as the size of the plane since the chilean version was modified in the nose extending the total length of the plane up to 17 meters and other things to be fixed in the publication. the source is reliable since the book was made in collaboration with chilean air force personnel. I will also share the color scheme that the panther version used, I hope you find it useful