The company is at the same time transitioning to a new SIMBAD-RC turret design that will be largely common between twin-tube and quad-tube configurations.
Evolved from the manually-controlled SIMBAD (Système Integré de Mistral Bitube d’Auto-Défense) twin launcher system, SIMBAD-RC was launched in 2010 as a private venture development to address requirements for a lightweight, automated, close-in defence capability against air and surface threats. The above decks turret system uses the ‘lock-on before launch’ Mistral 3 infrared-homing very short range air defense missile to provide defence out to a maximum range of 8 km.
A SIMBAD-RC in its baseline configuration typically comprises one or two lightweight, gyro-stabilised turrets, with each turret equipped with a Safran MATIS SP mid-waveband thermal camera, a video tracker, and a launch pannier containing two Mistral 3 missiles. A single operator can control up to two SIMBAD-RC launcher systems from a dedicated compact terminal, known as SMU-RC, installed below decks. In addition, SIMBAD-RC can be slaved to the ship’s radar or electrical-optical system for early cueing.
Over 50 SIMBAD-RC turrets have been sold so far, with customers including the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Turkmenistan. The French Navy has adopted SIMBAD-RC for its new Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force replenishment ships. All turrets delivered to date have been manufactured by Rheinmetall Defence Electronics.
Work to develop the new SIMBAD-RC turret assembly – available in either twin (RC2) or quad (RC4) missile configurations – began in 2023. According to MBDA, the new design is intended to simplify integration, maximise system efficiency, and, with the four-round version, increase the available number of ready-to-fire missiles. MBDA says that it will be possible to upgrade turrets from RC2 to RC4 configuration.
Full ‘sovereignty’ over the system is another objective of the new turret. MBDA has performed design work in-house, and will use a French subcontractor – Cegelec – for manufacture.
The first new turret is due for delivery in early 2026, with MBDA looking to be in a position to begin system deliveries in 2027. No orders for the RC4 configuration of SIMBAD-RC have been secured at this stage, but the company confirms that it is in discussion with a number of prospective customers.
In parallel to the evolution of the system, MBDA is also continuing work to improve the performance of the Mistral 3 missile against various threat sets in the maritime environment. These capitalise on the missile seeker’s advanced image processing capabilities to enable the engagement of low thermal signature targets, such FIACs and UAVs.
A counter-UAV capability has already been qualified, according to MBDA. This is to be followed by an anti-FIAC mode, which the company says will be “qualified soon”. The Mistral 3 has demonstrated the interception of a UAV at a range of 12 Km during a test campaign in Spain. The first test firing against a FIAC-type target was conducted by MBDA at the end of 2018.
