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Matra R550 Magic 2

2024-03-28T13:21:03Z

U88203141: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = French air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Matra R550 Magic 1
}}
== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a French short-range, air-to-air missile developed by Matra [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]]. It is an advanced version of the original R550 Magic. Designed primarily for the French Air Force and Navy, this missile is renowned for its infrared homing guidance system, which is highly effective against heat-emitting targets, typically jet engines. The Magic 2 stands out for its improved countermeasures against electronic jamming and decoys like flares, making it more resistant to enemy defenses. It features an enhanced off-boresight capability, allowing pilots to engage targets that are not directly in front of their aircraft, thus offering greater tactical flexibility in dogfight scenarios. Initially deployed in various Mirage fighter jets, the Magic 2 has seen action in numerous conflicts, showcasing its reliability and combat effectiveness. Despite being surpassed by newer technologies, the Magic 2 remains a significant development in the history of air-to-air missile technology.

In game The Matra R550 Magic 2 missile is the best IR missile of the French Air tree, featuring very good manoeuvrability and a very strong IRCCM. It was was [[wt:en/game/changelog/current/1358|introduced]] during [[Update "Wind of Change"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1ct}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c_200}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s4}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000d_r1}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000_5f}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_4000}}
* {{Specs-Link|jaguar_is}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 89 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-aspects
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 6 km
|-
| '''Lock range (all-aspect)''' || 3 km
|-
|'''ECCM'''
|Yes
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 3 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 35 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 25 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass (TNT eq.)''' || 9.6 kg
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
Highest Explosive mass out of all short range missiles, making it quite good at dealing damage and reliably crippling and destroying enemies.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

Compared to competitors such as the [[R-60M]] or [[AIM-9L]], the Magic 2 exerts a huge amount of force on itself due to the incredibly high thrust applied by its booster, thus meaning it has acceleration on par with missiles such as the [[PL-5B]], a missile renowned for excellent flight performance.

== Usage in battles ==

The Matra R550 Magic 2 works incredibly effectively as a short-range [[Air-to-air missiles|air-to-air missile]], capable of pulling hard turns in very small distances.

At sea level, the Matra R550 Magic 2 is capable of destroying targets within 150 m to 2,500 m (assuming they're travelling directly away from your aircraft). This range is only attainable if the enemy aircraft does not manoeuvre - due to the Magic 2's G overload of 35G, it can pull incredibly high angle of attack (AoA) manoeuvres at the cost of its energy. Therefore, if an enemy performs a gentle turn the Matra R550 Magic 2 will burn a substantial proportion of its energy. Therefore, for a guaranteed kill, launching within 1.7 km of your target at sea level is recommended.

Of course at higher altitudes the Magic 2 performs substantially better. Because there is less air resistance at higher altitudes, missiles are capable of travelling substantially further than they can at sea level. At altitudes around 5,000 m, you can safely launch your Magic at an enemy plane travelling away from you at 3.5 km, assuming that plane is travelling at an almost identical speed to you. If they are travelling slower, then obviously you can launch at higher distances - this also applies to engagements at sea level. As well as this, due to planes struggling to be able to perform high G manoeuvres at higher altitudes (due to smaller amounts of air flow under the wings), the Magic 2 will always manage to out perform an enemy aircraft in turning performance so, if you're fighting a Mirage F1 at high altitudes, do not turn - cut your afterburner and drop a substantial amount of flares before turning to the left, right or down (do not go up, this only bleeds your energy further).

This also leads on nicely to another great feature of the Magic 2 - Infrared Counter-Countermeasures. Once fired, the FoV of the seeker will get substantially smaller, making the missile less susceptible at detecting Flares deployed by the target. Overall, it is very reliable when shot from side and rear aspects, and fired from as close as possible.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Very high overload factor
* Very high initial acceleration
* All-aspect missile, making it possible to shoot planes coming at you, and has an easier time locking enemies from the sides from further away
* IRCCM
* Low motor burn time, meaning the enemy will only have 2 seconds to see the missile and react to it after it was fired. It then becomes invisible after the motor burnt out.

'''Cons:'''

* Low motor burn time of 2 seconds, meaning it has a hard time hitting targets above 2.5 km when chasing
* Loses energy quite fast once the motor finishes burning

== History ==
The Magic 2 missile, an evolution of the R550 Magic, stands as a significant chapter in the history of aerial combat technology. Its journey from inception to combat usage mirrors the evolving challenges and demands of modern air warfare.

In the realm of missile technology, the Magic 2's story begins with its predecessor, the R550 Magic, developed by Matra, now part of MBDA. The original Magic, emerging in the early 1970s, was France's response to the American AIM-9 Sidewinder, designed as a short-range, infrared-guided missile adept at engaging enemy aircraft from various angles. However, as the landscape of aerial combat evolved, so too did the requirements for more advanced weaponry. This led to the development of the Magic 2 in the 1980s, a missile that embodied significant enhancements over its predecessor, particularly in its infrared homing capabilities and resistance to electronic countermeasures and decoys such as flares.

Technologically, the Magic 2 marked a leap forward. It featured a more advanced infrared seeker and boasted a wider-angle off-boresight capability, enabling pilots to target enemies not directly in front of their aircraft. This provided a substantial tactical advantage, offering greater flexibility and response options in combat scenarios.

In terms of combat deployment, the Magic 2 first found its place with the French Air Force and Navy, notably enhancing the capabilities of their Mirage fighter jets. Its operational reach extended through exports to various nations, cementing its role in global air defense systems. The missile's combat prowess was notably demonstrated in several conflicts, including the Gulf War, where French and Qatari Mirage fighters employed it with notable success. In these high-pressure environments, the Magic 2 proved its mettle, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness.

Yet, like any missile system, the Magic 2 had its limitations, particularly when faced with advanced electronic countermeasures and newer generation fighter aircraft. It was often compared with contemporaries like the American AIM-9 Sidewinder and the Russian R-73, with each system exhibiting unique strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, the Magic 2 maintained a competitive edge in off-boresight capability and counter-countermeasure technology.

The Magic 2's story doesn't end with its combat achievements. The rapid advancements in missile technology soon ushered in newer systems, but the groundwork laid by the Magic 2 in infrared missile guidance and ECCM capabilities significantly influenced future developments. As more advanced missiles like the MBDA MICA and the Meteor entered service, the role of the Magic 2 began to wane. However, its influence persists in the ongoing evolution of air-to-air missile technology.

Looking back, the R550 Magic 2 missile represents a pivotal phase in the transition of air-to-air missile technology. It bridged the gap between early infrared missiles and today's sophisticated systems. Its deployment and usage in combat significantly advanced the understanding of aerial warfare tactics and missile guidance technology, cementing its legacy as a key player in the history of military aviation.

== 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]]

Matra Super 530D

2024-02-12T11:15:19Z

U88203141: removed "only a maximum of 2 can be found on any plane" from cons because the mirage 4000 can carry 4

{{About
| about = French air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Matra Super 530F
}}
== Description ==


The French Matra Super 530D is the latest and greatest of the M.530 family. It is an interception Semi-Active Radar Homing missile that was introduced in 1987 specifically for the Mirage 2000 family of jet fighters. At the time of its introduction, it was capable of flying faster than most, if not all, other missiles of its kind. This missile was made to hit even maneuvering targets, hence the ~30 g overload limit, which is impressive when taking into account its 10 kg warhead, and 270 kg total weight.

In War Thunder, this missile is competitive. it is not as manoeuvrable as an [[AIM-7F Sparrow]] at close range, and it does not possess the range or acceleration of the [[R-27ER]]. However when fired at targets between 4 km and 15 km, this missile is very lethal. It takes its sweet time to accelerate, but makes up for it in top speed and agility once it gets to speed. Overall a very balanced missile that feels different from its American and Russian counterparts. The only downside of this missile is that you can only take 2 of them at most on the Mirage 2000-5F and Mirage 2000C-S5, while some American planes can install up to 6 SARH missiles on top of other armament.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s4}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000_5f}}
* {{Specs-Link|mirage_4000}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 270 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || SARH
|-
| '''Signal''' || CW
|-
| '''Lock range''' || 30 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 40 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 10.37 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===


The Matra Super 530D has only a 10 kg warhead in War Thunder. This means that the 530D needs a near direct hit to cripple the target. If the 530D finds itself at a low energy state where it cannot get itself as close to the plane as possible, it might explode and deal minor damage.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The 530D is a Doppler version of the [[Matra_Super_530F|Super 530F]], its closest brother. The closest missiles in terms of competitiveness, usage and stats are the American AIM-7F, [[R-24R|Russian R-24R]] and the British [[Skyflash_SuperTEMP|Skyflash superTEMPs]]. They all feature similar range, similar manoeuvrability and even similar usage.

== Usage in battles ==

The Super 530D is a very capable missile that should mostly be used for head-on situations and high altitude interceptions. It can also be used at closer range if the enemy is at a low energy state, and not further than 3 km.

This missile features very high potential speed, however it has sub-par acceleration. It has a small guidance delay when it leaves the rail, unlike the AIM-7F which can start tracking and pulling as soon as it leaves the rail, making it worse than a 7F at close quarters. The 7F will also be able to pull harder before the 530D due to its higher acceleration.

The R-27ER will outclass the 530D in most situations, so it's hard to compare them.

While the 530D is identical on both Air Superiority variants of the Mirage 2000, the -5F version has a PD mode, opposed to the PD HDN (head-on) of the C-S5 variant. This might not seem like a big deal, however the PD mode of the -5F gives you a way higher hit potential against a maneuvering target. Your radar will have an easier time tracking notching targets and cold flying (flying away from you) targets, making the 530D an even bigger monster on the Mirage 2000-5F.

Another quirk of the 530D is that it seems to accelerate better when flying above supersonic. It is always best to fire missiles from a higher speed, because they will have alot more energy, however this can really be felt with the 530D as opposed to the R-27ER for example.

Overall the 530D is not that different from the other SARH missiles, however it has its quirks and should be used to its strenghts. As with all other missiles, the "thing" making the missile very lethal is the pilot. Firing it from the right range, at the right altitude, at the right time, in the right situation will give you the most chances of securing a hit on an enemy.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed.
* Excellent Maximum overload of 30G to hit manoeuvreing targets.
* Good tracking, making it harder to dodge kinetically.
* Very reliable compared to other missiles.

'''Cons:'''

* Slow acceleration, it's best not to fire from too close range.
* Does not like to turn at all when at low energy.

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==


;Images

[[File:530D.png|thumb|A screenshot of the Super 530D on a Mirage 2000|left]]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|jR3sgPSLM7c|'''War Thunder Mirage 2000C and R530D Tips and cool clips''' - ''FlxDrv''}}

== See also ==


* [[AIM-7E-2 Sparrow|AIM-7E-2]]
* [[AIM-7F Sparrow|AIM-7F]]
* [[R-24R]]
* [[Skyflash]]
* [[Aspide-1A]]

== External links ==


* [https://www.redstar.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3274:matra-super-530d-short-to-medium-range-air-to-air-missile&catid=542&lang=en&Itemid=552 [<nowiki>RedStar]</nowiki> Matra Super 530D Short to medium-range air-to-air missile]
* [http://tomcat85.free.fr/Super530D.php [<nowiki>Avions De Combat]</nowiki> Super 530D: Matra Missile]
* [https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/externalload/show/1402/matra-super-530d [<nowiki>AviationsMilitaires.net]</nowiki> Matra Super 530D]

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]