Missile Mistral
Description
Development of the system began in 1974 under the French Sol-Air à Très Courte Portée (SATCP) program. The initial version entered service in 1990, with subsequent variants introduced in 1998 and 2013.
The missile is a short-range air defense (SHORAD) system utilizing infrared homing. It is a multipurpose weapon deployed from land vehicles, surface ships, and helicopters. Unlike shoulder-fired man-portable systems, it requires a launch support structure, such as a tripod or turret, and is operated by a two-person crew consisting of a commander and a shooter. The guidance system uses proportional navigation with a gyro reference and a two-color cooled infrared seeker operating in the 2–4 and 3–5 μm bands. This seeker has a narrow field of view to facilitate electronic counter-countermeasures by rejecting decoys. The warhead contains high explosives with high-density tungsten balls and is triggered by laser proximity or impact fuzes. Recent iterations incorporate an imaging infrared seeker with image processing capabilities to engage targets with low thermal signatures, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and turbojet-powered missiles. Target designation and fire control are managed by coordination posts equipped with short-range anti-aircraft defense radar, capable of directing multiple firing units.
The system is widely deployed, serving in the armed forces of numerous countries, including France, South Korea, Spain, and Indonesia. Naval configurations, such as the automated Sadral or the Simbad units, are utilized on various vessel types, including aircraft carriers and frigates, to provide defense against sea-skimming targets. Airborne versions are integrated onto attack helicopters, including the Gazelle, Rooivalk, and Tiger. In March 1999, during the Second Congo War, Rwandan forces used the missile to shoot down a Zimbabwean Air Force BAE Hawk. The system has also been supplied to Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion. Multiple nations, including Denmark, Romania, and Norway, have operated or entered procurement agreements for the system to fulfill short-range air defense requirements.
Summary
| Category | Surface-to-Air Missiles |
| Sub-type | Portable optical-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Origin country | 🇫🇷 France |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Status | In service |
| Year of service | 1990 |
| Est. avg unit price | $0.6 million |
Technical specifications
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Diameter | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Span | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Length | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Flight altitude | 6,000 m (19,685 ft) |
| Weight | 18 kg (40 lb) |
| Range | 6.0 km (3.7 mi) |
| Max. speed | 3,348 km/h (Mach 3.4) |
Further Reading
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