Air Defense
MBDA VL MICA
VL MICA is a vertical-launch surface-to-air missile made by MBDA France, in service since about 2008. Derived from the MICA air-to-air missile, it defends ships and land sites against aircraft and sea-skimming missiles out to roughly 20 km and has sold mainly to Gulf and North African navies.
France|MBDA FranceWhat Is the MBDA VL MICA? Overview, History and Development
VL MICA adapts the French MICA air-to-air missile for launch from a vertical cell. Development work led to first firings around 2005, and the system entered service in 2008 with its first Gulf customers. The missile is about 3.1 m long, 160 mm in diameter and weighs roughly 112 kg, with a 12 kg warhead. It comes with either an active radar (RF) or an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, and thrust-vector control lets it turn sharply after launch.
A typical launcher holds eight missiles on a ship or land unit. Range is about 20 km against aircraft and sea-skimming missiles, at speeds near Mach 3, and the missile is fire-and-forget. Commonly cited naval operators are the UAE (Baynunah corvettes), Oman (Khareef-class), Morocco (SIGMA and FREMM frigates) and Egypt (Gowind corvettes), and land-based batteries have been ordered by other buyers. Its usual rivals are MBDA CAMM, ESSM, Aster 15 and Barak 8.
MBDA VL MICA Specifications: Range, Altitude, Missiles and Radar
MBDA VL MICA Variants and Versions Compared
VL MICA RF is the version fitted with the active radar seeker, suited to all-weather engagements against aircraft and missiles.
VL MICA IR carries the imaging infrared seeker, which gives a passive homing option against low-flying and sea-skimming targets.
VL MICA NG is the next-generation upgrade with improved performance and seekers for newer and more demanding threats.
Which Countries Use the MBDA VL MICA? Operators and Users
UAE
Oman
Morocco
EgyptMBDA VL MICA FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How far can the VL MICA missile reach?
The VL MICA has a range of about 20 km against aircraft and sea-skimming missiles. MBDA France designed it as a short-range point-defence weapon, and it flies at around Mach 3 after vertical launch.
How fast is the VL MICA missile?
The VL MICA flies at roughly Mach 3. MBDA France gives it thrust-vector control, which lets the missile turn quickly after leaving the vertical cell and engage targets from any direction.
Which countries use the VL MICA?
The VL MICA is commonly cited as operated by the UAE, Oman, Morocco and Egypt on their warships. Gulf and North African navies are its main customers, and land-based versions have been ordered by other buyers.
Which Arab countries have the VL MICA?
The UAE, Oman, Morocco and Egypt are the Arab countries commonly cited as VL MICA operators. They field it on Baynunah corvettes, Khareef-class ships, SIGMA and FREMM frigates, and Gowind corvettes respectively.
VL MICA vs CAMM: which is better?
The VL MICA is the older, proven system with a 20 km range and a choice of RF or IIR seekers. MBDA CAMM is a newer design that is generally credited with a longer range, and no public test directly compares the two.
Who makes the VL MICA missile?
MBDA France makes the VL MICA missile. It is the vertical-launch version of MBDA’s MICA air-to-air missile, which entered French service for fighters in the 1990s and was adapted for ships and land batteries.