The company said the test marked a major step towards the missile’s qualification and integration with the Rafale. The first development firing from a Rafale took place in June 2025.
The test was conducted in collaboration with teams from MBDA, DGA, Dassault Aviation and the French Air and Space Force. MBDA said the firing took place under highly demanding operational conditions.
The firing successfully evaluated the performance of the MICA NG’s infrared seeker in a supersonic flight context. MBDA said this validated the missile’s ability to handle all types of current and future threats.
The test also validated the full deployment chain of the infrared version of the missile, with particular focus on its seeker. The validation took place in extremely challenging flight conditions and high temperatures.
The seeker is the system used by the missile to automatically correct its trajectory based on the information it receives. In the infrared version, it uses infrared radiation emitted by the target.
In a supersonic flight configuration of the Rafale, at faster than the speed of sound, or Mach 1, the MICA NG and its infrared seeker are exposed to a higher ambient temperature. MBDA said higher temperatures reduce the contrast between the target of interest and the background of the image, making detection more difficult for the seeker.
The company said the test confirmed the capabilities of the MICA NG infrared seeker under those conditions. It said the result reflected its focus on innovation and the use of advanced technologies in the missile.
MBDA said the MICA NG is designed to address high-performance future threats that will be faster and more stealthy. The company said this strengthens France’s ability to maintain operational superiority in contested and high-intensity airspace.
In addition to the usual air-to-air missile targets, including aircraft and helicopters, MICA NG extends its capability to targets with very low infrared and electromagnetic signatures. These include drones, stealth fighters and highly manoeuvrable cruise missiles.
The MICA NG is intended to provide interception, close combat and self-defence capabilities for fighter aircraft to maintain air superiority. In its VL MICA NG version, the missile is also intended to support the defence of ships and land areas of interest.
