MBDA has developed MICA, the multi-mission air-to-air missile system for the Rafale and the latest versions of the Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft. It is a multi-mission missile system with a high level of tactical flexibility to suit the latest generation of multi-role / swing role aircraft.

Breaking away from established doctrines, the very high technical standards set by MICA are the result of an innovative operational concept. These evolved from the global understanding of the air-to-air battlespace and the appreciation of the need for a weapon system that would ensure asymmetry to win in aerial combat.

MICA stands for “Missile d’Interception, de Combat et d’Autodéfense”. A clear statement that this single missile system had to cover all facets of the air-to-air battle -   BVR (Beyond Visual Range) intercept, dogfight and self-defence.

The MICA system comprises 2 versions: RF MICA with an active radio frequency seeker and IR MICA with a passive imaging infrared seeker. Both missiles are fully qualified and in mass production.
 
 A “full MICA” configuration on an aircraft such as RAFALE gives a very flexible and high BVR fire power for Air Superiority and Air to Surface missions. MICA missile in BVR mode introduces a new way of waging air combat by offering multi-target capability at extended ranges with the two interoperable versions (RF or IR). All MICA firing stations are fully BVR, operating MICA in both versions IR or RF with or without data link target updating.

MICA consistency provides the necessary asymmetry to give the combat pilot the critical tactical advantage that makes the difference between success or failure of a mission.

In short range (SR) combat, a MICA configuration on an aircraft offers a full "new generation" capability thanks to the outstanding performance of the missile (extreme agility and manoeuvrability). An additional advantage lies in the possibility of launching MICA with its seeker (namely IR) either locked-on to the target or not, while still featuring all BVR qualities.

The same MICA missile also features in MBDA vertically launched VL MICA naval and ground based air defence systems.

 

Programme status
 
Lightweight and compact, MICA was originally designed as a "multi-aircraft" missile that could easily be integrated onto any modern fighter aircraft on a maximum of available store stations according to its eject or rail launching capabilities without significantly reducing aircraft performances. 
 
MICA is integrated on French RAFALE and the latest versions of the MIRAGE 2000, and is already in operation around the world.

MICA is also under integration on Mirage F1 bringing a modern air-to-air BVR capability to this type of aircraft. Such a modernization programme thus features the unique BVR capability with double IR or RF weapon terminal guidance.