MBDA Demonstrates Mistral Missile against Fast Attack Boats

MBDA has test fired its Mistral missile from a SIMBAD-RC automated naval turret firing from the land against a fast moving remotely-controlled semi-rigid Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIACs).

The scenario was intended to be representative of the self-protection of a vessel against an asymmetric threat (commando or terrorist attack). The demonstration was conducted at the end of 2018, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

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 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.