Matra BAe Dynamics has unveiled its Mistral 2 very- short-range air-to-air missile (VSHORAD), a previously classified system. The company is also considering a surface-to-air version of the Meteor, which recently won the UK Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile competition.
Mistral 2 entered service earlier this year with all three French armed forces and some export customers. The weapon has replaced the earlier Mistral on the production lines, says MBD.
Many of the internal systems have been updated, says MBD. The infrared seeker remains the same but a new processor and other subsystems have been introduced.
The weapon is compatible with first generation Mistral launchers - the only external change is the aerodynamically modified rear wings. These, along with a modified motor, improve manoeuvrability, push speed above the original Mistral's M2.6 and increase the maximum range.
MBD says the changes give the fire-and-forget VSHORAD system a better anti-ship missile defence capability, while the extended firing envelope created by the range and speed improvements mean it is better suited to the helicopter carried air-to-air role.
MBD deputy chief executive Alan Garwood says MBD will look at a ground launched version of Meteor - mimicking Raytheon, which has developed fixed base and vehicle-mounted surface-to-air missile systems using the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile. Garwood adds that "there is a lot of potential for the air weapon in a number of roles."
Source: Flight International