Mistral missile
_Missile|
name=Mistral|
image=Fr mistral.jpg|
Function=short-range man portable surface-to-air missile |
Contractor=
MBDA |
Unit_cost= |
Deployment=
1988| Engine= two-stage
solid rocket motor| Launch_mass=18.7
kg | Length=1.86
m | Diameter=90
mm |
Wing_span= 180 mm |
Speed= 800
m/s, approx.
Mach 2.5 (high supersonic)|
Range=5–6 km (effective against helicopters at up to 4 km)|
Flying_altitude=3 km|
Warhead=3 kg
HE | Guidance=all-aspect
infra-red,
fire and forget |
Fuzes=laser proximity or impact triggered |
Launch_platform= shoulder, helicopter and warship (used as anti-aircraft/anti-missile missile) |
}}
Mistral is an
infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the
European multinational company
MBDA missile systems (formerly by
Matra BAe Dynamics). Based on the
French SATCP (
Sol-Air À Très Courte Portée), the portable missile later to become the Mistral began development in
1974. It was initially deployed in
1988.
|
Simbad anti-air defence missile system |
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
Aérospatiale Gazelle,
Denel Rooivalk, or
Eurocopter Tiger).
The two-missile unit installed on ships is called
Simbad. The six-missile version is the
Sadral. The newly-launched four-missile version is called
Tetral.
Mistral entered series production in
1989 and is now deployed by 37 armed forces of 25 countries (8 countries in Europe, 8 in the Asia-Pacific, four in South America, 3 in the Middle East), including
Finland,
South Korea,
France,
Hungary,
Pakistan,
Oman,
Singapore,
New Zealand and
South Africa. Over 16,000 missiles have been sold/ordered.
The Mistral's operational use encompasses the firing of more than 2000 missiles, with a success rate of over 92%.
*
Official Mistral page at MBDA website*
Mistral information at army-technology.comFIM-92_Stinger
