Mistral missile in new demonstration
MBDA has successfully demonstrated the anti-surface capabilities of the Mistral missile against fast inshore attack craft using a SIMBAD-RC automated naval turret, the company announced on 9 January.
The firing saw the missile fired from land against a fast moving remotely-controlled semi-rigid boat more than 3km off the coast. The demonstration was intended to assess the self-protection capability of a vessel against an asymmetric threat such as commando or terrorist attack.
The Mistral is an air defence missile equipped with an imaging infrared seeker with advanced image processing capabilities that allows it to engage low thermal signature targets - such as UAS, missiles and fast boats - from a long distance.
The SIMBAD-RC is a remotely-controlled very short range naval air defence system that provides efficient capacities against a wide range of threats including combat aircraft, anti-ship missiles and small-sized threats such as UAS. Each turret supports two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.
-
Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals
CPSP competitors are proposing platforms fitted with advanced, next-generation capabilities to be built and sustained in cooperation with the Canadian industry.
-
UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
-
US Coast Guard prepares acquisition process of up to seven light icebreakers
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
-
RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.