The second development firing of the MICA NG (New Generation Missile for Interception, Combat, and Self-Defence) air-to-air missile has been successfully carried out from a Rafale fighter aircraft. The test, conducted from the Mediterranean site of the DGA Missile Testing Centre, marked the first launch of the missile in a supersonic flight configuration and represents a significant milestone in the weapon’s qualification and integration programme for the Rafale. The trial follows the first developmental launch conducted in June 2025.
Executed jointly by teams from MBDA, DGA, Dassault Aviation, and the French Air and Space Force, the firing was performed under demanding operational conditions. The primary objective was to assess the performance of the missile’s infrared seeker while operating in a supersonic environment. The successful outcome confirmed the seeker’s ability to detect and engage both current and emerging aerial threats.
The test validated the complete deployment sequence of the infrared-guided variant of the MICA NG, including the performance of its advanced seeker under high-speed and high-temperature conditions. The infrared seeker is responsible for tracking the target and continuously adjusting the missile’s flight path using thermal signatures emitted by the target aircraft.
During supersonic flight at speeds exceeding Mach 1, both the missile and its seeker are exposed to significantly elevated temperatures. These conditions reduce the thermal contrast between the target and the surrounding environment, making target detection more challenging. Despite these difficulties, the trial successfully demonstrated the infrared seeker’s effectiveness and reliability in such demanding operational scenarios.
