At the end of 2018, MBDA successfully demonstrated the use of the Mistral missile against fast boats such as FIACs (Fast Inshore Attack Crafts). A number of foreign delegations attended the demonstration firing that was performed from a SIMBAD-RC automated naval turret firing from the land against a fast moving remotely-controlled semi-rigid boat more than 3 kilometres/1.86 miles off the coast. The scenario was intended to be representative of the self-protection of a vessel against an asymmetric threat (commando or terrorist attack).

In its latest version currently in service with the French armed forces, the Mistral is an air defence missile equipped with an imaging infrared seeker with advanced image processing capabilities that allow it to engage low thermal signature targets from a long distance (such targets include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), missiles and fast boats), whilst at the same time offering excellent resistance to countermeasures.

The SIMBAD-RC is a remotely-controlled very short range naval air defence system that provides highly efficient capacities against a wide range of threats, from combat aircraft through anti-ship missiles to small-sized threats such as UAVs.

The system is easy to install and thus provides small units or support vessels with a true self-defence capacity, or can even ensure reinforced defence for the other types of surface vessels. Each turret supports two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles. The turret is remotely-operated, allowing the operator to remain under cover in the vessel’s operation centre, and thus ensures longer operational availability in case of a combat alert.

«MBDA is constantly striving to help armed forces make optimum use of their investments in our products», said MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier. «The demonstration of the SIMBAD-RC Mistral combination against surface targets reflects our policy of giving our systems additional capacities to supplement those they were originally designed to provide».

At the end of 2018, MBDA successfully demonstrated the use of the Mistral missile against fast boats such as FIACs (Fast Inshore Attack Crafts)

MBDA has successfully completed two Mistral firings using a SIMBAD-RC firing post. These trials represent the last technical milestone before delivery to its first customer. They served to validate the interface between the missile and the new twin-launcher, confirming the correct departure of the missile from the firing post, as well as the system’s ability to carry out salvo firings.

The two firings were carried out using two different launch trajectories. Tests in different mechanical and climatic environments will complete the qualification of the system.

The SIMBAD-RC is a remotely-controlled, very short range naval air defence system that provides highly efficient capabilities against a wide range of threats, from fighter aircraft through to anti-ship missiles or small-sized threats such as Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). SIMBAD-RC gives an easy to set up, self-defence capability to patrol vessels and support craft, or complements the air defence capabilities of other ship types. Each turret supports two ready-to-fire missiles. The turrets are remotely-operated and so allow the operator to remain under cover, thereby ensuring longer operational availability in case of a combat alert.

Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, said: «The SIMBAD-RC programme illustrates how MBDA helps customers leverage their previous acquisitions. Starting from a market standard such as the Mistral missile, of which more than 17,000 have been produced and are in service in nearly 30 countries worldwide, we have built a simple to operate and highly automated system that greatly improves the operational use of the missiles already in service».

 

Guidance

• Passive IR homing guidance
• Proportional navigation guidance
• Trajectory shaping
• Self-spinning airframe
• Control by canard fins

Fire and Forget

Engagement of targets is fully autonomous and is performed by the outstanding infrared homing head of the MISTRAL missile

• Great accuracy and efficiency
• No man in the loop
• Simplicity of operation, low training and maintenance
• No dedicated fire control system on board

Short reaction time

• The system is optimised to counter any air target at short notice
• Firing sequence: less than five seconds
• High speed missile – short time to intercept

Multi-target

Especially designed for modern naval warfare, MISTRAL can cope with:

• Head on targets
• Manoeuvring targets
• Aircraft before they release conventional armaments
• Sea skimming and manoeuvring anti-ship missiles
• Helicopters

96% success rate

96% kill efficiency rate demonstrated during user firings is due to:

• Outstanding sea and ground clutter rejection by the MISTRAL seeker
• Interception under a trajectory shaping profile
• MISTRAL terminal effectiveness: outstanding guidance accuracy – proximity and impact fuzes – 6.6 lbs/3 kg warhead very high reliability

 

CHARACTERISTICS

SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
Weight	1,102 lbs/500 kg
Bearing	+/- 160°
Elevation	-15° to +65°
MISSILE CHARACTERISTICS
Weight	43.4 lbs/19.7 kg
Length	6.1 feet/1.86 m
Diameter	3.54 inch/90 mm
Warhead	6.6 lbs/3 kg
Maximum speed	Mach 2.5

 

SIMBAD-RC is an extremely simple and lightweight MBDA’s system configured for two MISTRAL missiles