Mistral (missile)

Mistral
A Mistral ATLAS double launcher of the Hungarian Armed Forces
Type
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1990–present
Used bySee Operators
WarsSecond Congo War
Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
DesignerMatra Défense (now merged into MBDA)
Designed1974 onwards
ManufacturerMBDA France
Unit costMistral 3:
  • US$545,600 (2024)
Specifications
Mass19.7 kg
Length
  • 1.86 m
  • 1.88m (including initial booster)
Diameter90 mm
Crew1

Effective firing range8 km (Mistral 3)
WarheadHigh Explosive with high density tungsten balls
Warhead weight2.95 kg
Detonation
mechanism
Laser proximity or impact triggered

EngineSolid Rocket Motor, 2-stage
Flight ceiling6 km (Mistral 3)
Maximum speed930 m/s, approx. Mach 2.71 (high supersonic)
Guidance
system
Infrared homing

The Missile Transportable Anti-aérien Léger (English: Transportable lightweight anti-air missile), commonly called Mistral, is a family of French infrared homing multipurpose short range air defense system manufactured by MBDA France (formerly by Matra Défense and then Matra BAe Dynamics). Based on the French SATCP ('Sol-Air à Très Courte Portée'), the development of the portable system that would later become the Mistral began in 1974. The first version of the system was introduced in 1990 (Mistral 1), the second in 1998 (Mistral 2), and the third in 2013 (Mistral 3).