MICA (missile)

MICA
An air-launched MICA IR on a Dassault Rafale
Type	Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
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)[1]
Length	3.1 m (10 ft)[1]
Diameter	160 mm (6.3 in)[1]
Warhead	12 kg (26 lb) warhead[1]
Detonation mechanism	Proximity or direct impact[1]
Engine	Solid-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	Midcourse: Inertial guidance[6] Datalink Terminal: MICA-RF/EM:[3] Active radar homing MICA-IR: Infrared homing
Launch platform	Dassault Rafale Mirage 2000 Mirage F1 Su-30MKI Ground batteries Surface vessels Submarines

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]