France MBDA
MICA EM
The active-radar-homing variant of France's MICA family, a dual-role missile usable for both short-range dogfighting and beyond-visual-range engagements from the same airframe. It is the primary air-to-air weapon of the Rafale and Mirage 2000 across French and export air forces.
In service since 1996 · 10 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
80
km range
4
Mach
12
kg warhead
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
French export-licensed
CIEEMG inter-ministerial approval; broadly export-oriented.
Channel: DGA / direct commercial
Fielded & proven
Established · 10 operators
In service since 1996. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 4 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 80 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 12 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Blast-fragmentation, proximity fuze |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Active radar homing, Inertial navigation with mid-course update |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 3.1 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 112 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Solid-fuel rocket |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 10 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public MBDA and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the MBDA MICA EM? +
The MBDA MICA EM has a maximum range of 80 km.
How much does the MBDA MICA EM weigh? +
The MBDA MICA EM has a combat weight of 112 kg.
What is the MBDA MICA EM used for? +
The MBDA MICA EM is a missile typically used for air superiority.
How many countries operate the MBDA MICA EM? +
The MBDA MICA EM is operated by 10 countries.
How much does the MBDA MICA EM cost? +
MBDA MICA EM: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
Similar systems
MBDA
ASRAAM
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Python 4
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
R-77
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems