MICA (missile)

Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Auto-défense
An air-launched MICA IR on a Dassault Rafale
Type	Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile Short range surface-to-air missile (VL MICA)
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1996–present
Used by	See Operators
Production history
Manufacturer	MBDA France
Specifications
Mass	112 kg (247 lb)
Length	3.1 m (10 ft)
Diameter	160 mm (6.3 in)
Warhead	12 kg (26 lb) warhead
Detonation mechanism	Proximity or direct impact
Engine	Solid-propellant rocket motor
Operational range	Air-launched : 60–80 km (37–50 mi) Vertical Launch : 20 km (12 mi)
Flight altitude	Vertical Launch : 9 km (30,000 ft)
Maximum speed	Mach 4
Guidance system	Midcourse: Inertial guidance Datalink Terminal: MICA-RF: Active radar homing MICA-IR: Infrared homing MICA-EM: Active radar homing
Launch platform	Dassault Rafale Mirage 2000 Mirage F1 Su-30MKI Ground batteries Surface vessels Submarines

The MICA (French: Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Auto-défense, lit. 'Missile for Interception, Combat and Self-defense') is a French anti-air multi-target, all weather, fire-and-forget short to medium-range missile system manufactured by MBDA France. 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. Both MICA-EM and MICA-IR variants can fulfill the roles of short-range and medium range BVR air-to-air missiles.

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.

Characteristics

There are two MICA variants; MICA RF has an active radar homing seeker and MICA IR has an imaging infra-red homing seeker. Both seekers are designed to filter out counter-measures such as chaff and decoy flares. A thrust vector control unit fitted to the rocket motor increases the missile's agility. The missile is capable of lock-on after launch (LOAL) which means it is capable of engaging targets outside its seeker's at-launch acquisition range. Mounted on the Rafale, the MICA IR can provide IR imagery to the central data processing system, thus acting as an extra sensor.

MICA can also be employed as a short-range surface-to-air missile. It is available in a ground-based version, VL MICA, fired from a truck-mounted box launcher, and a naval version, VL MICA-M, fired from a ship-fitted vertical launch system. On 23 October 2008, 15:30, at CELM, Biscarosse (Landes), a VL MICA missile successfully performed the last of its 14 test firings meaning it is now ready for mass production. The target drone was flying at low level, over the sea, 12 km away; despite this distance, MICA, equipped with an active radar seeker, locked on the target and shot it down.

Corvettes too small to have the big and costly Aster missile system are the most likely customers for the VL MICA-M, which offers similar capability as the Aster 15 but without its booster and PIF-PAF vectorial control.

While the VL MICA has an advertised range of 20 km, aerodynamic performance is significantly degraded at those ranges. From 0 to 7 km MICA has maneuverability of 50g, however by 12 km this is reduced to 30g as energy is lost.

Variants

• MICA RF or EM (électromagnétique)
• MICA IR (infrarouge/infrared)
• VL MICA RF/EM
• VL MICA IR
• VL MICA-M RF/EM
• VL MICA-M IR
• A3SM: Submarine-launched version. Installed in Barracuda-class nuclear-fueled attack subs of the French Navy.^{[citation needed]}
• MICA NG: Second generation of MICA designed against stealthy targets. Infrared seeker will use a matrix sensor providing greater sensitivity. The radio frequency seeker will use an AESA. The range has been increased by up to 40% over the standard MICA.

Operators

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MBDA MICA.

• "MBDA's Anti-Ship & Air Defence Weapons at LIMA 2013: Multiple Solutions For Multiple Missions", Navy recognition, archived from the original on 2013-05-15, retrieved 2013-03-30.