Mistral missile

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Mistral
Mistral
Basic data
Function	short-range man portable surface-to-air missile
Manufacturer	MBDA
Entered service	1988
General characteristics
Engine	two-stage solid rocket motor
Launch mass	18.7 kg
Length	1.86 m
Diameter	90 mm
Wingspan	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.

1 Weapon platforms
2 Inventory
3 Combat performance
4 Main characteristics
5 Images
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Weapon platforms

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.

[edit] Inventory

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 Brazil, Finland, Norway,South Korea, Spain, France, Hungary, Pakistan, Chile, Oman, Singapore, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia and Venezuela. Over 16,000 missiles have been sold/ordered. Recently, industrial source said The Royal Thai Navy has placed an order on several units of Sadral/Mistral air defence systems. The deal is said to be worth between €45.7 million - €76.2 million. The systems are to be equipped on the Navy’s two Naresuan class frigates and two newly built Pattani class OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessel).

[edit] Combat performance

The Mistral's operational use encompasses the firing of more than 2000 missiles, with a success rate of 95%.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Main characteristics

Primary function: short-range man portable surface-to-air missile
Secondary functions: helicopter and warship use anti-aircraft/anti-missile missile
Contractor: MBDA
Power plant: two-stage solid rocket motor
Length: 1.86 m
Diameter: 9 cm
Wing span: 18 cm
Launch weight: 18.7 kg
Speed: 800 m/s, approx. Mach 2.5 (high supersonic)
Warhead: 3 kg HE
Range: 5–6 km (effective against helicopters at up to 4 km)
Altitude: 3 km
Fuzes: laser proximity or impact triggered
Guidance system: all-aspect infra-red, fire and forget
Unit cost: N/A
Year deployed: 1988
Users: in use or ordered by 25 countries including New Zealand, Austria, Brazil, Finland, Spain, France, Hungary, Estonia, Morocco, Oman, South Africa, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Venezuela