Iris-T vs MICA NG
Overview
The Iris-T and the MICA NG are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The MICA NG has a range of 112 km — 4.5x the Iris-T's 25 km. The Iris-T reaches 3,704 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the MICA NG. The Iris-T carries a 11.5 kg warhead vs 12 kg for the MICA NG. Launch weight is 87 kg for the Iris-T vs 112 kg for the MICA NG. The Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance, while the MICA NG relies on Inertial, two-way datalink, active AESA radar or imaging infrared homing.
The Iris-T entered service 21 years before the MICA NG (2005 vs 2026).
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| French second-generation air-to-air missile, entering service from 2026, with an active radar (AESA) or imaging infrared seeker and up to 40% more range than the original MICA. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-visual-range / short-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | MBDA France |
| Service year | 2026 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 25.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 87 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.94 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
| Range | 112.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 112 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.10 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, two-way datalink, active AESA radar or imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High-explosive focused fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Iris-T or MICA NG?
The MICA NG has a longer range at 112 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the Iris-T or MICA NG?
The MICA NG is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Iris-T's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Iris-T or MICA NG?
The MICA NG carries a larger warhead at 12 kg compared to the Iris-T's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the Iris-T or MICA NG?
The MICA NG is heavier at 112 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the Iris-T or MICA NG?
The MICA NG is longer at 3.10 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the Iris-T and MICA NG use?
The Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance while the MICA NG uses Inertial, two-way datalink, active AESA radar or imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Iris-T or MICA NG?
The Iris-T entered service first in 2005, 21 years before the MICA NG which entered service in 2026.