France Continues Testing New “Air-to-Air” and “Surface-to-Air” MICA NG Missile, Aiming for Serial Production This Year
France is continuing trials of the new generation “air-to-air” missile MICA NG, developed by MBDA. This time, the process has advanced to the first launch from a Rafale fighter jet during supersonic flight.
According to France’s General Directorate of Armament (DGA), the objective of this test was to evaluate the performance of the infrared homing seeker under very stringent conditions. MBDA states that this is the second test flight, with the first having taken place in June 2025.
Defense Express notes that the MICA NG can be considered a European counterpart to the state-of-the-art AIM-120C-8, while possessing certain advantages. It will fill the medium-range slot ahead of the larger Meteor and will help intercept Russian aircraft from even greater distances.
The stated range for the standard MICA with an air launch is 60-80 km, whereas for the new version of the missile, this will increase by 40%. This results in approximately 84-112 km, but this is a calculated value, as the actual figures have not yet been officially disclosed.
The MICA NG utilizes a dual-thrust engine for propulsion, which ensures high maneuverability even in the terminal phase. This is aided by long-chord wings and tail control surfaces. In contrast, the latest iterations of the AIM-120 rely on a single-mode propellant, thus reducing effectiveness as range increases.
Similar to its predecessor, the updated missile comes in two variants: one with an active radar seeker and another with an infrared seeker. The former will employ a miniaturized antenna with an active phased array (AESA). Currently, one of the few examples of such a solution is the Type 99B (AAM-4B).
Regarding the MICA NG with a passive infrared seeker, the manufacturer claims it enables “stealthy” interception and provides additional target detection for the pilot as an IRSTS sensor. When operating at short ranges, helmet-cueing is possible, and according to MBDA, it allows for engaging targets 360 degrees around the aircraft.
Furthermore, launches from ground and naval platforms are feasible, similar to the standard MICA. The range in these scenarios will be shorter than when launched from a fighter jet, though precise figures are not yet specified. Serial production of the new missiles is expected to commence in 2026, but only time will tell if this will be realized.