Mistral missile

Infobox Weapon
name= Mistral


caption=
origin= flagicon|France France
type=Manportable surface-to-air missile
is_ranged=
is_explosive=yes
is_missile=yes
is_UK=
service= 1988 - Present
used_by= See "Inventory"
wars=
designer= MBDA
design_date= 1974
manufacturer= MBDA
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=
spec_label=
weight=
length= 1.86 m
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter= 90 mm
crew= 1
cartridge=
caliber=
barrels=
action=
rate=
velocity=
range= 5.3 km (effective against helicopters at up to 4 km)
max_range=
feed=
sights= Optical sight
filling= High Explosive
filling_weight= 2.95 kg
detonation= Laser proximity or impact triggered
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine= Solid Rocket Motor
engine_power=
transmission=
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
clearance=
vehicle_range=
speed= 800 m/s, approx. Mach 2.6 (high supersonic)
guidance= Infrared homing

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

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".

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, 4 in South America, 3 in the Middle East), including Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and VenezuelaFact|date=June 2007.

Over 16,000 missiles have been sold/ordered. Recently, industrial sources 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). Estonia has also bought the missile, deliveries are set to begin in 2008 [http://www.mod.gov.ee/?op=news&id=1083] .

Combat performance

The Mistral's operational use encompasses the firing of more than 2000 missiles, with a success rate of 95%.Fact|date=February 2007

Operators

;AUT;BRA;CHI;COL;CYP;flag|Estonia;FIN;FRA;HUN;INA;flag|Mexico;flag|Morocco;NZL;NOR;flag|Oman;PAK;ROK;SIN;RSA;ESP

=

ee also

* FIM-92 Stinger
* Starstreak missile
* 9K38 Igla

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhMt7rAnD4A Video of a Mistral missile being fired]

* [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/mistral/ Mistral information at army-technology.com]