TheMICA (French:Missile d'Interception, deCombat et d'Auto-défense,lit.'Missile for Interception, Combat and Auto(or Self)-defense')[3] is a Frenchanti-air multi-target, all weather,fire-and-forget short to medium-range missile system manufactured byMBDA 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 MICAVertical Launch System. It is fitted with athrust vector control (TVC) system. It was developed from 1982 onward byMatra. The first trials occurred in 1991, and the missile was commissioned in 1996 to equip theRafale andMirage 2000. It is a replacement for both theSuper 530 in the interception role and theMagic II in thedogfighting role. MICA-EM and MICA-IR both can fulfill the roles of short-range and medium rangeBVR air to air missiles.
On 11 June 2007, a MICA launched from aRafale 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 viaLink 16.[7]
There are two MICA variants; MICA RF has anactive radar homing seeker and MICA IR has animaging infra-red homing seeker. Both seekers are designed to filter out counter-measures such aschaff anddecoy flares. Athrust 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 theRafale, the MICA IR can provide IR imagery to the central data processing system, thus acting as an extra sensor.[8]
MICA can also be employed as a short-rangesurface-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 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 costlyAster 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]
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 anAESA.[13] The range has been increased by up to 40% over the standard MICA.[14]
Egyptian Air Force: MICA EM/IR and MICA NG EM/IR purchased in 2025. The MICA of the initial generation are usable by theMirage 2000-5 and theRafale, the MICA NG only by the Rafale.[17]
Indian Air Force: 200 MICA-IR and 1000 MICA-RF missiles are integrated on upgraded Mirage 2000 and Rafale.[24] Indian Air Force successfully tested MICA missile from its aircraftSukhoi Su-30MKI.[25]
On 23 October 2024,Sébastien Lecornu, French Armed Forces Minister, announced that France would send the first of threeMirage 2000s to Ukraine by March 2025. These aircraft would be capable of carryingSCALP-EG and MICA missiles, have updated electronic warfare systems and that Ukrainian pilots were trained in their usage.[29]
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.[40]
Ukrainian Navy: The VL "MICA" air defense system will be installed on theAda-class corvetteHetman Ivan Mazepa. On 23 October 2024,Sébastien Lecornu, French Armed Forces Minister, announced that France would send the first of threeMirage 2000s to Ukraine by March 2025. These aircraft would be capable of carryingSCALP-EG and MICA missiles, have updated electronic warfare systems and that Ukrainian pilots were to be trained in their usage.[29]
^"Communication défensive".Courrier d’Erevan (in French). 24 February 2024. Archived fromthe 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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Croatia
Egypt
France
Greece
India
Morocco
Qatar
Taiwan
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Botswana
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Thailand
Indonesia
Philippines
Singapore
Serbia
Denmark
Bulgaria
Malaysia
Armenia
Netherlands