The primary difference between the Mirage 5 and the Nesher was in the latter's reliance on Israeli-developed avionics. It also provided the pilot with a Martin-Baker JM6 series "zero-zero" ejection seat. Additionally, the armament suite supported both the American AIM-9 "Sidewinder" short-ranged air-to-air missile as well as the indigenous Rafael "Shafrir" ("Dragonfly") AAM and Rafael "Luz" air-to-surface missile. The SNECMA engine produced 13,670 pounds of thrust with afterburning which gave good performance in service.
The Nesher, in prototype form, went to the air for the first time during September of 1969. A short period of testing and evaluation followed which led to deliveries in 1971 and service entry coming in 1972. Fifty-one of the combat-ready planes were taken on as well as ten of the two-seat trainer form. They received their baptism of fire during the Yom Kippur War (1973) and gave an excellent account of themselves - managing over 100 air kills in the conflict.
"Nesher S" marked the base, single-seat attack forms for the IAF and these were followed by the "Nesher T" designation marking two-seat trainers. When the upcoming IAI "Kfir" aircraft entered into IAF plans, the IAI Nesher was marginalized and eventually offered for export - to which Argentina took the Israelis up on the offer. These were then designated as "Dagger A" and "Dagger B" respectively and delivered in batches during 1978-1979 and 1981-1982. Numbers totaled 35 of the single-seat attackers and four trainers. At least five were procured by the South African Air Force.
Because of its close association with the French Mirage 5, dimensions and performance figures for the Nesher were quite close in comparison. Overall length was 51.35 feet with a wingspan of 26.97 feet and height of 14.76 feet. Empty weight was 14,550 lb against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 29,762 lb. Maximum speed reached 1,460 miles per hour with ranges out to 808 miles, a service ceiling of 58,000 feet and a rate-of-climb nearing 16,400 feet-per-minute.
Israeli use of Neshers officially ended in 1977.
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