MICA NG Air-to-Air Missile: Successful First Live Test by DGA
The French arms procurement agency, known as DGA, has successfully conducted its inaugural live test of the MICA NG (New Generation) air-to-air missile. This testing phase featured a Rafale fighter jet, which launched the MBDA missile during the developmental trial. This crucial evaluation not only confirmed the missile’s implementation chain but also validated its performance.
The live test took place at DGA’s missile testing site situated in the Mediterranean Sea and specifically assessed the infrared version of the MICA NG. This significant milestone marks a key step forward in the missile’s qualification process, edging it closer to operational readiness for integration into the Rafale aircraft.
Future Testing and Capabilities
The DGA has announced plans for additional firing tests aimed at validating the complete capabilities of the MICA NG across its various versions and firing configurations. These forthcoming tests will examine performance at different altitudes and flight speeds, which will include supersonic conditions, highlighting the missile’s versatility and adaptability.
MICA NG, jointly developed by MBDA and the DGA, boasts a dual-pulse rocket motor that significantly enhances its performance over its predecessor. The new generation version is expected to achieve up to 40 percent greater range compared to the original MICA missile, and its improved maneuverability allows for more effective engagements in combat scenarios.
Advanced Technology Features
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the MICA NG features a dual-mode, active radio frequency electronically scanned array seeker, enabling all-weather and beyond-visual-range engagements. Additionally, it incorporates a passive imaging infrared seeker that enhances its sensitivity and counters enemy countermeasures, providing a strategic advantage in aerial warfare.
The missile’s enhancements allow it to target a wider variety of aerial threats than its earlier iterations. Weighing in at 112 kilograms (245 pounds), the MICA NG has an impressive operational range of approximately 80-100 kilometers (50-62 miles) and can reach speeds of up to Mach 4, asserting its position as a formidable asset in the air-to-air missile arena.
Strategic Importance for French Armed Forces
The DGA remarked on the MICA NG’s advanced technologies, emphasizing that this next-generation weapon system will empower military forces to effectively address emerging threats, which are increasingly stealthy, efficient, and faster. This capability is crucial for maintaining operational superiority in contested airspace environments.
A total of 567 MICA NG missiles have been procured by the DGA, with the first batch of 200 set for delivery starting in the year 2026. The subsequent batch of 367 missiles is scheduled to be delivered between 2028 and 2031. This missile system is designed to bolster the medium-range interception, close combat, and self-protection capabilities of the Rafale aircraft utilized by both the French Air Force and Navy.
