Article Posted on : - Nov 04, 2010

The Mistral missile being launched. A Spanish MoD photo

HUELVA, SPAIN (BNS): The Spanish Air Force has conducted successful test-launch of two Mistral short-range surface-to-air missile defence systems last month.

The test was conducted by the Air Force's Short Range Air Defence Air Deployment Support squadron (EADA) in the Medano del Loro firing range at Huelva on October 22, an official statement said.

The two missiles were fired on a target flying at 300 meters with a speed of 40 m/s, simulating a “slow move”.

The successful launch enabled the preparation of the EADA to evaluate the operation of this weapon system and increase the experience of its management staff in a real shooting situation, the statement added.

The Mistral missile, in the range of 6 km class, is a very short-range air defence missile system that can be used from various platforms including vehicles, surface ships and helicopters, as well as in a portable configuration.

The missile operates on ‘fire-and-forget’ principle. Fitted with an advanced infrared seeker, the missile is capable of intercepting a wide range of aerial targets including fixed wing aircraftm helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.

The Mistral has been developed by European missile manufacturer MBDA.