Brazilian Gripens to carry indigenous cruise missile
Design of MICLA-BR resembles the Avibras-made AV-TM 300
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has signed an MoU with Avibras to develop long-range cruise missiles.
Avibras will create ‘a reliable, efficient and advanced technology product, in order to meet the operational needs of the Air Force’, the FAB noted in a 23 November statement.
It will assist Avibras in the initial concept development phase, with the ultimate aim of arming the Gripen E/F.
Called MICLA-BR, the air-launched cruise missile will be powered by a reaction engine. According to the FAB, experience gained in developing this missile will be used to develop a family of weapons, with a role for the Brazilian defence industrial base and potential overseas sales.
Specifications for the MICLA-BR are still to be defined, but images on the FAB website appear to show a missile resembling the AV-TM 300.
Lt Brig Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, FAB Deputy Chief of Staff, said: ‘We are currently aligning strategies and paths of action. Within FAB's strategic projects, this is one of the most important. It will be the realisation of a project for the… F-39 Gripen.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Doodle Labs expands use of its radios on UAV systems]()
Doodle Labs expands use of its radios on UAV systems
Mesh Rider is a SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) optimised mesh radio designed for uncrewed systems and supports six frequency bands in a single transceiver and AES-256 encryption. It was developed in cooperation with the US Defense Innovation Unit.
-
![NATO’s E-3A fleet more important than ever, says force commander]()
NATO’s E-3A fleet more important than ever, says force commander
NATO’s E-3A fleet will have been in service for more than half a century by the time of their expected retirement but a boost to the capability and conflict elsewhere have highlighted their importance.
-
![NATO progresses effort to replace E-3A AWACS fleet]()
NATO progresses effort to replace E-3A AWACS fleet
NATO’s E-3A AWACS fleet has been scheduled for retirement from 2035. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has been leading the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) project to develop new options for future surveillance and control capabilities, based on future technology and requirements.
