MBDA VL-MICA-M SAM Missile Vertical Launched Naval Ship

Naval Weapon System
MBDA MICA SAM missile

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06/24

The MICA, abbreviated from its full name Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Auto-défense (lit. 'Missile for Interception, for Combat and for Auto-Defense' or 'Interception, Combat and Self-protection Missile') or alternate translation ("missile for BVR interception, for close-up combat (dogfight), & for self-defense") is a French anti-air multi-target, all weather, fire-and-forget short and 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.

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.

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.

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:

Air-launched:
MICA RF (active radar homing) or EM (électromagnétique)
MICA IR (infrared)

Ground-launched:
VL MICA RF/EM
VL MICA IR

Naval:
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.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: MBDA France
Mass: 112 kg (247 lbs)
Mass - container with missile: 480 kg (1058 lbs)
Length: 3.1 m (10 ft)
Length - container: 4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Diameter: 160 mm (6.3 in)
Warhead: 12 kg (26 lb) high explosive fragmentation 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

Missile guidance:
Mid-course inertial guidance with in-flight target data update (Up-link)
In-flight seeker lock-on followed by homing guidance
Active RF monopulse Doppler seeker or passive imaging IR seeker

from MBDA datasheet:
The VL MICA naval air defence system provides an unsurpassed self and local area defence capability. It is currently deployed by navies around the world as the sole or main air defence system on board a wide range of surface vessels.

The VL MICA system deploys the unique MICA missile which is the only missile in the world equipped with two, interoperable, state- of-the-art seekers (Imaging IR or active RF), providing superior features to counter all types of threat (anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, PGMs, smart bombs, etc).

VL MICA offers a very high single shot kill probability and simultaneous multiple shot capability (autonomous guidance, extremely high firing rate).

Operated from the ship combat system using existing air defence sensors, VL MICA has no need for a dedicated fire control system.

The missile is stored and vertically launched from its individual storage container (no need for a VLS) providing 360° engagement coverage.

Several ship programmes have been carried out that have demonstrated how the modularity and compact nature of VL MICA facilitate the system’s installation on a wide range of warships, both new build or retrofit.

source: wikipedia + MBDA

images

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VL MICA-M RF (radar homing)

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VL MICA-M IR (infrared seeker)

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4 m sealed container

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Royal Saudi Navy image

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Indonesian Navy image (TNI-AL)

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