War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Aspide-1A

2023-07-23T09:19:32Z

U100398616: /* Pros and cons */

== Description ==

The Aspide-1A (the Italian name of the asp; aka A-missile [A-弹] in PLAAF service) is a semi-active radar-homing missile developed by Selenia based on the AIM-7 Sparrow's design with new homing radar, used by the Italian Air Force and exported to multiple foreign militaries including the PLAAF.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}}
* {{Specs-Link|j_8b}}

== General info ==

The overall dimensions of the {{PAGENAME}} is identical to later models of the AIM-7 Sparrow, the only major difference is the homing radar onboard.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Missile characteristics
|-
! rowspan="1" data-sort-type="text" | Missile
! rowspan="1" | Mass (kg)
! rowspan="1" | Guidance
! rowspan="1" | Signal
! rowspan="1" | Lock range (km)
! rowspan="1" | Launch range (km)
! rowspan="1" | Maximum speed (M)
! rowspan="1" | Maximum overload (G)
! rowspan="1" | Missile guidance time (s)
! rowspan="1" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)
|-
| Aspide-1A || 230 || SARH || CW || 30 || 80 || 5.0 || 25 || 45.0 || 10.24
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

The 8 kg of PBXN-4 explosives onboard has a 10.24 kg TNT equivalent, which can cause explosive and shrapnel damage to targeted aircraft.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The {{PAGENAME}} flies at a whopping Mach 5.0, faster than the [[AIM-7F Sparrow]], [[R-23R|R-23]]/[[R-24R|24R]], and [[Matra Super 530F]]. The maximum overload also tops out at 25G.

== Usage in battles ==

The Aspide-1A is intended to intercept high-altitude or head-on targets, so the best way to utilize it is to aim for enemies who are flying high or in head-on range - they might not have sufficient manoeuvrability to dodge the missile. However, if coupled with an inferior radar, it is best to use the Aspide-1A against only targets which are higher than you, to avoid ground clutter interference.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* High acceleration and flight speed
* Decent G overload comparable to a Skyflash and AIM 7E2
* Large explosive payload

'''Cons:'''

Randomly explodes if target to far

*

== History ==

Despite the very close resemblance to US-made AIM-7 Sparrows (which Selenia [now MDBA] did get the license for to build domestically in Italy), Aspide missiles utilized the latest electronics and rocket engines developed in Italy, serving as the selected SARH missile for Italian Air Force's Starfighters.

It was then exported to multiple foreign countries including Mainland China, where they even intended to buy the production line from Italy. However, the 1989 Beijing Crackdown and the subsequence European Economic Community embargo halted the import of Aspide into PLAAF service, forcing them to reverse-engineer from existing stocks. The Aspide's homing radar was also installed onto HQ-61 SAM, becoming what is now known as the PL-11 in the early 2000s.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

J-2

2023-05-25T06:08:49Z

U100398616: /* Pros and cons */ Added low ammo count as a con

{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-15bis_nr23_china
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]]. It is a Chinese [[MiG-15bis]] and performs identically to it.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,061 || 1,046 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.0 || 22.0 || 41.4 || 39.8 || rowspan="2" | 475
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,087 || 1,076 || 20.4 || 20.7 || 59.7 || 50.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,132  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || 598 || 450 || ~12 || ~7
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 600 || < 700 || < 750 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Klimov VK-1 || 1
| colspan="2" | 3,648 kg || colspan="2" | 233 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel
|-
| 872 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 3,980 kg || 4,478 kg || 4,810 kg || 5,485 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,450 kgf || -
| 0.62 || 0.55 || 0.51 || 0.45
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,450 kgf (0 km/h) || -
| 0.62 || 0.55 || 0.51 || 0.45
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 10 mm steel armour plates in front of the cockpit and behind the pilot's head rest.
* 64 mm bulletproof glass front windshield.
* Self-sealing fuel tanks behind the pilot and under the jet engine nozzle.
* Jet engine located in the rear of the aircraft, pilot seated in front.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|N-37D (37 mm)|NR-23 (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 37 mm N-37D cannon, chin-mounted (40 rpg)
* 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannons, chin-mounted (80 rpg = 160 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|FAB-100M-43 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-46 (250 kg)|S-5K|S-5M|S-21}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100M-43 bombs (200 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-46 bombs (500 kg total)
* 16 x S-5K rockets
* 16 x S-5M rockets
* 2 x S-21 rockets

== Usage in battles ==


At higher ranks of the Chinese aviation line is the J-2, a Chinese MiG-15bis. It one of the most iconic jet fighter aircraft designs from after the Second World War. Earning its reputation on fame over the skies of Korea against its US contemporary, the [[F-86A-5|F-86 ''Sabre'']].

The J-2 features a powerful cannon arrangement of 2 x 23 mm and 1 x 37 mm, excellent high altitude performance and is highly effective in vertical manoeuvres. Unlike the [[MiG-9 (China)|MiG-9]] that comes before it, the J-2 is also the first jet aircraft in the Chinese tree to feature an air brake which is extremely useful in combat situations. The jet fighter does have its downsides. The lack of an "all-flying tailplane" (such as that featured on the [[F-86F-25|Sabre]]) leads to less control over the aircraft at higher speeds approaching 1,000 km/h. While the J-2 is initially faster in acceleration by comparison to the Sabre, this does mean that once both aircraft are up at higher speeds, the Sabre will hold some advantages over the J-2. If you load 8 minutes of fuel instead of the regular (for most pilots) 20, it drastically improves your performance. However, this is not recommended to be done at the beginning of the match as most matches last longer than 8 minutes, and should instead be done when you land mid-match.

The combination of 37 mm and 23 mm cannons creates aiming issues for pilots not familiar with their ballistic properties or velocity. Due to the size of these cannons, ammunition pools are restricted by comparison to other top tier jet aircraft. To help compensate the two different trajectories of the armament, it is recommended to use 'rolling' manoeuvres, as the rudder may lock in high speeds. To aim with these cannons, it is best to estimate the lead with the experience built up with planes beforehand (e.g. [[La-9 (China)|La-9]]) and add extra distance over the estimated lead (about double from the estimated).

Once pilots have learned to use the J-2's excellent rate of climb, acceleration and high altitude capabilities to their advantage, the downsides of the aircraft are far less significant than the positives. In the right hands, the J-2 can be a devastating combatant, capable of dealing with any aircraft in-game swiftly. Teamwork, squads, and communication will also be beneficial when flying the J-2 as effective coordination between multiple pilots allow you to use this aircraft to its maximum potential. After mastering the J-2, you can research its improved variant, the [[J-4]] (a license-built [[MiG-17]]). The J-2 shares much of its performance abilities and deficiencies.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Flaps can be deployed at high speeds
* Capable and useful air brake
* High rate of climb
* Great acceleration
* Deadly armament capable of making snapshots and quick deflection shots
* Excellent energy retention
* Has a gyro gunsight, allowing more accurate lead
* Good performance even when stock
* Has a G-suit, which is useful at high speeds

'''Cons:'''

* Abysmal roll rate
* Poor turning circle
* Compression at high speeds
* Poor forward visibility in Simulator, as a large canopy frame and the gunsight block the top and bottom
* Armament difficult to use (low velocities, low ammo and two different trajectories)
* Guns tend to spark a lot (the N-37 in particular)
* Low ammo count.

== History ==

=== PLAAF operating history ===
The People's Republic of China received the first batch of MiG-15bis jet fighters in late 1952, only 6 months before the end of Korean War. A total of about 1,500 MiG-15bis were aided to China during 1952-1955 and a few of these aircraft took part in the Korean War.
[[File:Wang Hai's MiG-15.jpg|thumb|329x329px|Wang Hai's MiG-15, with 9 claimed victories over US fighter jets.]]
According to the '''''Agreement on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to grant the People's Republic of China technical assistance in organizing the repair of aircraft and the engines and the organization of aircraft factories''''' signed in October of 1951, the MiG-15bis was chosen to be China's first license-produced fighter jet. The Factory No. 112 (later Shenyang Aircraft Corporation) would produce the airframe while the Shenyang Engine Overhaul Factory (later Shenyang Liming Motor Company) would produce the WP-5 turbojet engine ("渦噴-5", domestic license-built VK-1 engine). Both factories received guidance and instructions from Soviet experts.

However, the two factories would not be ready for mass production until 1955 when the more advanced MiG-17F fighter jets were already in active service. The MiG-15bis was becoming outdated, and therefore there was no need to build MiG-15bis fighter jets and the PRC started to produce the J-5 (license-built MiG-17F) in Shenyang instead, though it is sometimes claimed that trial production of the J-2 had commenced before the switch to J-5 production. MiG-15bis damaged in air battles of the Korean War were sent to Factory 112 for repair and overhaul. Overhauled aircraft using parts and avionics of MiG-17F/J-5 were unofficially called J-2 ("殲-2", which never become official name of the hybrid fighters). The MiG-15bis/J-2 served in PLAAF until late 1970s.

Although the single-seated MiG-15bis never saw domestic production, the two-seated trainer version, the UTI-MiG-15, was license-built under the name of JJ-2 ("殲教-2", Pursuit Aircraft Trainer-2), some of these trainers were exported to other countries operating MiG-15/17s, such as North Korea, Sudan and Tanzania as FT-2 (Fighter Trainer-2).

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-15bis_nr23_china Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[MiG-15 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-15-ji-2-fagot-b/nasm_A19860066000 [Smithsonian ''National Air and Space Museum''<nowiki>]</nowiki> Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Ji-2)]
* [https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/jj-2.htm [GlobalSecurity<nowiki>.org]</nowiki> JJ-2 (Jiaolianji Jian-2 Trainer Fighter aircraft 2)]
* [https://flyingleathernecks.org/project/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-15-fagot/ [Flying Leatherneck<nowiki>s]</nowiki> MiG-15]

{{AirManufacturer Shenyang}}
{{China jet aircraft}}

Matra R550 Magic 1

2023-05-24T15:41:46Z

U100398616: added that the missile has increadibly much drag and cant be fired from longer ranges.

{{About
| about = French air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Matra R550 Magic 2
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage Matra R550 Magic 1.png|thumb|left|420px|The Matra R550 Magic 1 missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a French [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|IR homing air-to-air missile]] that was intended to replace the AIM-9s in French Army service. It was introduced in [[update "Starfighters"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_5c}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_a}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_e}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_5f}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 89 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-Aspect
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 3 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 35 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 25 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass (TNT eq.)''' || 9.6 kg
|-
|}
The Matra R550 Magic 1 is a very capable missile, with a 35 G maximum overload, which makes it a very deadly missile at top-tier when used correctly. The Matra Magic 1 is also a very light missile, with only two seconds of boost time. The missiles come equipped with large and numerous control surfaces, ensuring high manoeuvrability throughout the flight time. The price of these big control surfaces is a high drag, with the weapon decelerating quickly after the end of boost time, limiting the range of the missiles.

The weapon enable time is 0.5 seconds, meaning the missile will accelerate straight for half a second before starting manoeuvres.

=== Effective damage ===

Having a warhead containing 6 kg of HBX explosive (9.6 kg TNT equivalent), it all but guarantees the destruction of enemy vital parts such as engine, tail section, wings, etc. The explosive charge is generally enough to deal with any attacker with a single hit. Still, the proximity fuse is very sensible, and the missile can explode far enough from the target, only provoking a critical hit.

=== Comparison with analogues ===


* [[R-60]] - A soviet short-range IR missile with excellent overload performance but poor booster capability

== Usage in battles ==

The Magic is mounted on the Mirage series of aircraft, being extremely well integrated, and slavable to the aircraft's radar. Meaning that if the Mirage's Cyrano radar is locked on an enemy aircraft, enabling the missile seeker will immediately activate the missile seeker's gimbals, and the seeker will orientate itself in the direction of the locked target. Allowing a certain capability of "off-boresight" shooting of the missile. This fact is important in close-range engagements and dogfights.

Overall, the Matra 550 Magic missile is to be used as a close encounter platform. Firing the weapon on an enemy at a distance of more than 2 km yields poor results, especially if the target is fleeing at high speed. Under the 1.5 km mark, the hit is nearly assured. Note that the use of flares is an effective countermeasure against the Magic. Concerning off-boresight shoots, sending away the weapon over 1-1.2 km is not advised, because the trajectory correction needed for an off-boresight shoot is higher that a standard shoot.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great turning capability
* Can be slaved onto the radar
* Can launch in any G condition

'''Cons:'''

* Poor low speed turning capability, easy to dodge if launched close to the target
* Sensitive to flare decoys
* Can't fire from afar either as it has so much drag. Missile will lose speed.

== History ==

Being a direct competitor of the US-made [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)|AIM-9s]] in French service, Matra (now part of Airbus SE) developed a new IR AAM for French jets in 1968, with additional control surfaces for better manoeuvrability in combat; the new missile now known as the R.550 Magic was first tested in January 1972 on a Gloster Meteor-converted testbed and finally made it into service in 1975.

The missile has been exported to many countries operating French jets; China also acquired some examples of it and built a reverse-engineered version known as the [[PL-7]]. The more capable [[Matra R550 Magic 2|Magic 2]] was introduced in 1986.

== Media ==


;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:R550 Magic - Mirage IIIC.png|R.550 Magic seen on Mirage IIIC
Image:Magic I.png|The Matra 550 Magic 1 missile. Note the size and number of control surfaces, and the lack of thrust vectoring in the missile's rocket motor nozzle.
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|faKyQOTmzDw|'''Best guided missiles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:42 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Matra R550 Magic 1

2023-05-24T15:38:18Z

U100398616: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = French air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Matra R550 Magic 2
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage Matra R550 Magic 1.png|thumb|left|420px|The Matra R550 Magic 1 missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a French [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|IR homing air-to-air missile]] that was intended to replace the AIM-9s in French Army service. It was introduced in [[update "Starfighters"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_5c}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_a}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_e}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_5f}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 89 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-Aspect
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 3 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 35 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 25 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass (TNT eq.)''' || 9.6 kg
|-
|}
The Matra R550 Magic 1 is a very capable missile, with a 35 G maximum overload, which makes it a very deadly missile at top-tier when used correctly. The Matra Magic 1 is also a very light missile, with only two seconds of boost time. The missiles come equipped with large and numerous control surfaces, ensuring high manoeuvrability throughout the flight time. The price of these big control surfaces is a high drag, with the weapon decelerating quickly after the end of boost time, limiting the range of the missiles.

The weapon enable time is 0.5 seconds, meaning the missile will accelerate straight for half a second before starting manoeuvres.

=== Effective damage ===

Having a warhead containing 6 kg of HBX explosive (9.6 kg TNT equivalent), it all but guarantees the destruction of enemy vital parts such as engine, tail section, wings, etc. The explosive charge is generally enough to deal with any attacker with a single hit. Still, the proximity fuse is very sensible, and the missile can explode far enough from the target, only provoking a critical hit.

=== Comparison with analogues ===


* [[R-60]] - A soviet short-range IR missile with excellent overload performance but poor booster capability

== Usage in battles ==

The Magic is mounted on the Mirage series of aircraft, being extremely well integrated, and slavable to the aircraft's radar. Meaning that if the Mirage's Cyrano radar is locked on an enemy aircraft, enabling the missile seeker will immediately activate the missile seeker's gimbals, and the seeker will orientate itself in the direction of the locked target. Allowing a certain capability of "off-boresight" shooting of the missile. This fact is important in close-range engagements and dogfights.

Overall, the Matra 550 Magic missile is to be used as a close encounter platform. Firing the weapon on an enemy at a distance of more than 2 km yields poor results, especially if the target is fleeing at high speed. Under the 1.5 km mark, the hit is nearly assured. Note that the use of flares is an effective countermeasure against the Magic. Concerning off-boresight shoots, sending away the weapon over 1-1.2 km is not advised, because the trajectory correction needed for an off-boresight shoot is higher that a standard shoot.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great turning capability
* Can be slaved onto the radar
* Can launch in any G condition

'''Cons:'''

* Poor low speed turning capability, easy to dodge if launched close to the target
* Sensitive to flare decoys
* Much drag. Cant fire from too far either.

== History ==

Being a direct competitor of the US-made [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)|AIM-9s]] in French service, Matra (now part of Airbus SE) developed a new IR AAM for French jets in 1968, with additional control surfaces for better maneuverability in combat; the new missile now known as the R.550 Magic was first tested in January 1972 on a Gloster Meteor-converted testbed and finally made it into service in 1975.

The missile has been exported to many countries operating French jets; China also acquired some examples of it and built a reverse-engineered version known as the [[PL-7]]. The more capable [[Matra R550 Magic 2|Magic 2]] was introduced in 1986.

== Media ==


;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:R550 Magic - Mirage IIIC.png|R.550 Magic seen on Mirage IIIC
Image:Magic I.png|The Matra 550 Magic 1 missile. Note the size and number of control surfaces, and the lack of thrust vectoring in the missile's rocket motor nozzle.
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|faKyQOTmzDw|'''Best guided missiles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:42 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Matra R550 Magic 1

2023-05-24T15:37:52Z

U100398616: /* History */

{{About
| about = French air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Matra R550 Magic 2
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage Matra R550 Magic 1.png|thumb|left|420px|The Matra R550 Magic 1 missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a French [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|IR homing air-to-air missile]] that was intended to replace the AIM-9s in French Army service. It was introduced in [[update "Starfighters"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_5c}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_a}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_e}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_5f}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 89 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-Aspect
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 3 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 35 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 25 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass (TNT eq.)''' || 9.6 kg
|-
|}
The Matra R550 Magic 1 is a very capable missile, with a 35 G maximum overload, which makes it a very deadly missile at top-tier when used correctly. The Matra Magic 1 is also a very light missile, with only two seconds of boost time. The missiles come equipped with large and numerous control surfaces, ensuring high manoeuvrability throughout the flight time. The price of these big control surfaces is a high drag, with the weapon decelerating quickly after the end of boost time, limiting the range of the missiles.

The weapon enable time is 0.5 seconds, meaning the missile will accelerate straight for half a second before starting manoeuvres.

=== Effective damage ===

Having a warhead containing 6 kg of HBX explosive (9.6 kg TNT equivalent), it all but guarantees the destruction of enemy vital parts such as engine, tail section, wings, etc. The explosive charge is generally enough to deal with any attacker with a single hit. Still, the proximity fuse is very sensible, and the missile can explode far enough from the target, only provoking a critical hit.

=== Comparison with analogues ===


* [[R-60]] - A soviet short-range IR missile with excellent overload performance but poor booster capability

== Usage in battles ==

The Magic is mounted on the Mirage series of aircraft, being extremely well integrated, and slavable to the aircraft's radar. Meaning that if the Mirage's Cyrano radar is locked on an enemy aircraft, enabling the missile seeker will immediately activate the missile seeker's gimbals, and the seeker will orientate itself in the direction of the locked target. Allowing a certain capability of "off-boresight" shooting of the missile. This fact is important in close-range engagements and dogfights.

Overall, the Matra 550 Magic missile is to be used as a close encounter platform. Firing the weapon on an enemy at a distance of more than 2 km yields poor results, especially if the target is fleeing at high speed. Under the 1.5 km mark, the hit is nearly assured. Note that the use of flares is an effective countermeasure against the Magic. Concerning off-boresight shoots, sending away the weapon over 1-1.2 km is not advised, because the trajectory correction needed for an off-boresight shoot is higher that a standard shoot.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great turning capability
* Can be slaved onto the radar
* Can launch in any G condition

'''Cons:'''

* Poor low speed turning capability, easy to dodge if launched close to the target
* Sensitive to flare decoys

== History ==

Being a direct competitor of the US-made [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)|AIM-9s]] in French service, Matra (now part of Airbus SE) developed a new IR AAM for French jets in 1968, with additional control surfaces for better maneuverability in combat; the new missile now known as the R.550 Magic was first tested in January 1972 on a Gloster Meteor-converted testbed and finally made it into service in 1975.

The missile has been exported to many countries operating French jets; China also acquired some examples of it and built a reverse-engineered version known as the [[PL-7]]. The more capable [[Matra R550 Magic 2|Magic 2]] was introduced in 1986.

== Media ==


;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:R550 Magic - Mirage IIIC.png|R.550 Magic seen on Mirage IIIC
Image:Magic I.png|The Matra 550 Magic 1 missile. Note the size and number of control surfaces, and the lack of thrust vectoring in the missile's rocket motor nozzle.
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|faKyQOTmzDw|'''Best guided missiles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:42 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]