Mistral missile - Definition and Overview

Mistral is a surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European firm MBDA.

History

Development of the SATCP (Sol Air a Tres Court Portee), the French portable missile later to become the Mistral, began in 1974. Mistral was first deployed in 1988.

Variants

The basic Mistral missile is used with a man-portable launch unit. There are also launch units that allow the missile to be fired from armoured vehicles, ships or helicopters (such as the Gazelle, Rooivalk or Tiger).

The two-missile unit installed on ships is called Simbad system. the six-missile version is Sadral.

Inventory

Mistral entered series production in 1989 and is now deployed by 37 armed forces of 25 countries. Over 16,000 missiles have been ordered.

Combat Performance

Characteristics

• Primary Function: short-range man portable surface-to-air missile
• Contractor: MBDA
• Power Plant:

• Length: 1.86 m
• Diameter: 9 cm
• Wing Span: 18 cm
• Launch Weight: 18.7 kg

• Speed: 800 m/s, approx Mach 2.5
• Warhead: 3 kg HE
• Range: 5 - 6 km (4 km effective against helicopters)
• Altitude: 3 km
• Fuzes: laser proximity
• Guidance system: all-aspect infra-red, fire and forget

• Unit Cost: ?
• Date Deployed: 1988
• Users: in use or ordered by 25 countries including France, Hungary, Oman and South Africa

See also

External link

• MBDA's Mistral page (http://www.mbda.net/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=90)