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MICA (missile)

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The MICA is a French anti-air multi-target, all weather, fire-and-forget short to 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. MICA-EM and MICA-IR both can fulfill the roles of short-range and medium range BVR air to air missiles.

MICA
An air-launched MICA IR on a Dassault Rafale
Type
  • Beyond-visual-range missile air-to-air missile
  • Short range surface-to-air missile (VL MICA)
    • 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

    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]

    Characteristics

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    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.[8]

     
    VL MICA NG (left), to a CAMM-ER (right) at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2024

    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.[9] On October 23, 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.[10]

    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.[11]

    Variants

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    Mock-up of a MBDA MICA missile in Taiwan
    • MICA RF[12] or EM (électromagnétique)[3]
    • MICA IR (infrarouge/infrared)[3]
    • 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.
    • 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.[13]

    Operators

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    Map of MICA operators in blue

    Current operators

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    Air-air missile

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      Croatia
    Croatian Air Force: With the purchase of the Rafale F3R fighter jets come MICA missiles in radar-guided and infrared versions.
      Egypt
    Egyptian Air Force: MICA EM/IR used on Rafale aircraft, 150 missiles purchased.[14]
      France
    French Air and Space Force: used on Mirage 2000-5, Mirage 2000D RMV and Rafale aircraft.[15][16][17]
    French Navy: used on Rafale M aircraft[17] and Barracuda-class submarine.
      Greece
    Hellenic Air Force: MICA EM/IR[18][19] on Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighters
    • 100 missiles ordered in 2000 (delivery 2003-04)[20]
    • 100 ordered in 2003[20]
      India
    Indian Air Force: 200 MICA-IR and 1000 MICA-RF missiles are integrated on upgraded Mirage-2000s and Rafales.[21] Indian Air Force successfully tested MICA missile from its aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI.[22]
      Morocco
    Royal Moroccan Air Force,[23] 150 missiles ordered in 2005[20]
      Qatar
    Qatar Emiri Air Force,[24] 100 MICA-EM ordered in 1994, 150 MICA-IR + 150 MICA-EM ordered in 2015[20]
      Republic of China
    Republic of China Air Force: 960 originally purchased to equip Mirage 2000-5 fighters of the RoCAF. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has been tasked with upgrading the missile in 2016.[25]
      United Arab Emirates
    United Arab Emirates Air Force: on the Mirage 2000, 500 missiles ordered in 1998[26]

    Surface-to-air missile

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      Botswana
    Botswana Ground Force: 1 battery of VL MICA on erector launcher, acquired in 2016.[27] 50 missiles have been purchased for this system.
      Georgia
    Georgian Air Force: VL MICA[28][29] along with Ground Master 200 and 400 radars from Thales Raytheon Systems.[30]
      Morocco
    Royal Moroccan Army: 4 batteries Ground based VL MICA.,[31] 200 missiles ordered for those systems in 2020 [20]
      Oman
    Royal Army of Oman Ground based VL MICA (first client 1 battery ordered in 2009, delivered in 2012, 50 missiles) [32][33]
      Saudi Arabia
    Saudi Arabia National Guard Air Defence: VL-MICA.[citation needed], 5 batteries ordered in 2013 with 250 missiles[20]
      Thailand
    Royal Thai Army: 1 VL MICA battery, 50 missiles ordered in 2016[20]
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      Egypt,
    VL MICA-M installed on 4 Gowind-class corvettes (16 VLS), 75 missiles purchased with that contract.[20]
    VL-MICA-M installed on 4 MEKO-A200-EN with each 32 × VLS for MBDA MICA-NG, 200 missiles purchased with that contract.[20]
    75 missiles purchased.
      Indonesia
    Indonesian Navy: 2 VL MICA-M installed on Martadinata-class frigate.[34]
    • 40 MICA missiles purchased in 2018 [20]
      Morocco
    Royal Moroccan Navy: VL MICA-M installed on Sigma-class design.
      Oman
    Royal Navy of Oman: VL MICA-M used on the Khareef-class corvettes (ordered in 2008, delivered in 2013-14, 60 missiles)[33]
      Qatar
    Qatari Emiri Navy, 2 patrol ships Musherib class with each 8 VLS MICA, and 30 missiles ordered in 2016[20]
      Saudi Arabia
    Saudi Arabia Navy: VL MICA-M. ordered for 5 Avante-2200 frigates, ordered in 2018 with 120 missiles[20]
      Singapore
    Republic of Singapore Navy: 8 Independence-class littoral mission vessel are equipped with the VL MICA-M, 150 missiles ordered for it in 2013.[35]
      United Arab Emirates
    United Arab Emirates Navy: VL MICA-M on Falaj 2-class patrol vessel, 20 missiles ordered for 2 corvettes.[20]
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      India
    Indian Navy: on Kalvari-class submarines.

    Future operators

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      Bulgaria
    Bulgarian Navy: In September 2022 the Bulgarian government decided for the purchase of VL MICA for the two future patrol ships of the Bulgarian Navy. The first ship is under construction and will be commissioned in 2025.
      Malaysia
    Royal Malaysian Navy: VL MICA-M has been selected for the future Maharaja Lela-class frigates.
      Philippines
    Philippine Navy: VL-MICA selected for the future Miguel Malvar-class frigates.
      Ukraine
    Ukrainian Navy: The VL "MICA" air defense system will be installed on the Ada-class corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa. On 23 October 2024,Sébastien Lecornu, French Armed Forces Minister, announced that France would send the first of three Mirage 2000s to Ukraine by March 2025. These aircraft would be capable of carrying SCALP-EG and MICA missiles, have updated electronic warfare systems and that Ukrainian pilots were be trained in their usage.[36]

    Potential operators

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      Armenia

    See also

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    References

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    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 e f "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.
    8. ^ de Briganti, Giovanni (2011-05-31). "Rafale in Combat: "War for Dummies"". Defense aerospace. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
    9. ^ Mica Vertical Launch Short-Range Air-Defence System, France, Army technology, retrieved 24 November 2014.
    10. ^ "news section", A&D dic, 2008.
    11. ^ VL MICA (PDF), MBDA, archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2013, retrieved 24 November 2014.
    12. ^ "MICA Multi-mission Air-to-Air missile system". Archived from the original on 2008-05-19.
    13. ^ "MBDA to develop the next generation of the MICA missile | Press Release".
    14. ^ "Les Rafale Égyptiens Ont Effectué Leur Première Mission Opérationnelle". Defens'Aero. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    15. ^ "Les Mirage 2000-5F des Cigognes de retour en Estonie". Avionslegendaires. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    16. ^ D'Urso, Stefano (2 August 2021). "French Air Force Completes Upgraded Mirage 2000D Test Campaign In Djibouti". The Aviationist. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    17. ^ a b "Rafale: Armement Air-Air". Omnirole-Rafale. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    18. ^ "MICA EM (Missile Interception Combat Autodefence)". www.haf.gr.
    19. ^ "MICA IIR (Missile Interception Combat Autodefence)". www.haf.gr.
    20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
    21. ^ "Cabinet Committee clears 950 million Euro deal to procure 500 air-to-air missiles for Mirage 2000". The Economic Times. The Times of India. 2012-01-04.
    22. ^ "Su-30 MKI Destroys Aerial Target Using MICA Missile". India strategic. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
    23. ^ Hunter, Jamie (20 June 2007), "Upgraded Moroccan Mirage marks first signing for Astrac partnership", FlightGlobal.
    24. ^ "Qatar Emiri Air Force Rafale EQ/DQ". Omnirole-Rafale. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    25. ^ "Taiwan To Locally Upgrade MICA Missiles in ITS Mirage 2000 Jets". Defense World. 6 Dec 2016. Retrieved 6 Dec 2016.
    26. ^ Amiel, Philippe (3 December 2021). "Le Rafale s'impose enfin aux Emirats". Omnirole-Rafale. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    27. ^ "Botswana acquired 300 million euros of French weaponry in 2016". Defence Web. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
    28. ^ "Armement : la France fait une belle percée en Géorgie", La Tribune, 17 July 2015.
    29. ^ "Georgia buying air defense systems without disclosing details of arms deals", Eurasia Daily.
    30. ^ "Paris Air Show 2015: Georgia signs major air-defence contract with Thales", Jane's, archived from the original on 2016-06-04{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link).
    31. ^ "Le Maroc emprunte 192 M€ pour acheter des missiles sol-air".
    32. ^ "Royal Guard of Oman carries out first operational firing od MBDA's VL MICA system | Press Release". MBDA. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
    33. ^ a b "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
    34. ^ "Indonesian Navy commissions second SIGMA frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai". Naval Today. 2018-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
    35. ^ "Singapore selects VL Mica for new littoral mission vessels", Jane's.
    36. ^ HOWARD ALTMAN (2024-10-23). "French Mirage 2000s Destined For Ukraine Will Fly With Storm Shadow, MICA Missiles". TWZ. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
    37. ^ "Communication défensive". Courrier d’Erevan (in French). 24 February 2024. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. a quand même assuré Sébastien Lecornu parlant de missiles Mica VL (anciens Crotales) et SAMP/T
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