MICA (missile)

MICA
An air-launched MICA IR on a Dassault Rafale
TypeBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1996–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
ManufacturerMBDA France
Specifications
Mass112 kg (247 lb)[1]
Length3.1 m (10 ft)[1]
Diameter160 mm (6.3 in)[1]
Warhead12 kg (26 lb) warhead[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Proximity or direct impact[1]
EngineSolid-propellant rocket motor
Operational
range
  • Air-launched :
    60–80 km (37–50 mi)[2][3]
  • Vertical Launch :
    20 km (12 mi)[1]
Flight altitude
  • Vertical Launch :
    9 km (30,000 ft)[4]
Maximum speed Mach 4[3][5]
Guidance
system
Launch
platform

The MICA is a French anti-air multi-target, all weather, fire-and-forget short and medium-range missile system manufactured by MBDA France. Its name is an abbreviation of Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Auto-défense (lit. 'Interception, Combat and Self-protection Missile').[3] It is intended for use both by air platforms as individual missiles as well as ground units and ships, which can be equipped with the rapid fire MICA Vertical Launch System. It is fitted with a thrust vector control (TVC) system. It was developed from 1982 onward by Matra. The first trials occurred in 1991, and the missile was commissioned in 1996 to equip the Rafale and Mirage 2000. It is a replacement for both the Super 530 in the interception role and the Magic II in the dogfighting role.

On 11 June 2007, a MICA launched from a Rafale successfully demonstrated its over-the-shoulder capability by destroying a target behind the launch aircraft. The target was designated by another aircraft and coordinates were transmitted via Link 16.[7]

  1. ^ a b c d e f VLS MICA, MBDA, archived from the original on 2 December 2015, retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. ^ "MICA Air-to-Air Missile System".
  3. ^ a b c d "Missile Air-Air Moyenne Portée" (in French). Archived from the original on 2011-07-12.
  4. ^ "Зенитный ракетный комплекс VL MICA | Ракетная техника". missilery.info.
  5. ^ "MICA", Global Security, retrieved 24 November 2014.
  6. ^ https://www.mbda-systems.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/VL-MICA-SEA.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  7. ^ "Tir MICA depuis un Rafale F2: quand le chasseur devient la cible" [MICA shoot from a Rafale F2: when the hunter becomes the target] (in French). Armées. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2013-08-31.