MATRA BAeDynamics Unveil Vertical-Launch MICA

Asian Aerospace 2000 -- Details of what is claimed by MATRA BAeD to be the first short-range air defense (SHORAD) multi-target fire-and-forget system ever, capable of providing all-weather protection against simultaneous attacks from combat aircraft, anti-ship, or air-to-surface missiles, were revealed yesterday at Asian Aerospace 2000 by CEO Fabrice Bregier and deputy CEO Alan Garwood.

The vertical-launch MICA is similar to the air-launched version, with thrust-vector control, and either an active radar-homing or infra-red seeker head.

Unique for a missile in this category, thrust-vectoring allows vertical launching, which confers a very short reaction time, a high firing rate of less than two seconds between launches, and easy integration to platforms, without costly dedicated sensors and guidance suite.

The simple vertical-launch system is the same as that used by the Royal Navy for its Seawolf ShAM, and is already in mass production. It uses radar and optronic surveillance resources already available on the platform to be protected, to provide the missile with its essential target designation, for line-of-sight guidance. Interest in the VL MICA has already been shown from potential customers in Europe and the Middle East.

By John Fricker