Mistral missile
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| Image:Fr mistral.jpg | |
| Mistral | |
|---|---|
| Function | short-range man portable surface-to-air missile |
| Contractor | MBDA |
| Unit cost | |
| Deployment | 1988 |
| General characteristics | |
| 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.
Weapon platforms
Image:Simbad missile.jpg 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.
Inventory
Image:Mistral-2.jpg 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, France, Hungary, Pakistan, Oman, Singapore and South Africa. Over 16,000 missiles have been sold/ordered.
Combat performance
Image:Mistral-1.jpg The Mistral's operational use encompasses the firing of more than 2000 missiles, with a success rate of over 92%.
