The French Mistral man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) has a standard configuration typical of other models of this class. The anti-aircraft guided missile (ACM) is placed in a disposable transport launch container (TPK), to which an electronic launch device is attached before firing. The launcher includes a “home-alien” detection equipment, as well as a thermal sight for shooting in night conditions.

During transportation, MANPADS is packed in two containers (in one – a TPK with missiles, in the second – a tripod with a targeting unit) with a total weight of about 50 kg. A direct guided missile consists of a fuselage, an infrared homing head (GI), electronic guidance equipment and electric servomotors for control.

It only takes 1 minute to bring the Mistral MANPADS into combat position. At the same time, the recharge time of the complex is 30 seconds, and the rocket launch time after pressing the trigger is 3-5 seconds. After that, the launch engine propels the rocket out of the transport-launch container with an initial velocity of 40 m/s.

When the rocket takes off, the stabilizer planes and aerodynamic rudders are deployed, which are used to control the rocket in flight. The thruster is operated at a distance of about 15 m from the launcher and accelerates the rocket to a maximum speed of Mach 2.6 (almost 2,762 km/h). Therefore, it is not surprising that it took only 6 seconds for the missile to destroy an air target within a radius of 4 kilometers.

The guided warhead of the Mistral MANPAD missile is capable of intercepting and escorting targets of the “airplane” type at a distance of more than 6 km, and “helicopter” – at a distance of more than 4 km, even on opposite routes. To achieve high sensitivity of the GOS, cooling of the signal receiver is used (a cylinder with a coolant is attached to the trigger). This design allows you to significantly increase the accuracy of aiming the missile at the target.

Missile guidance error is only 1 meter. Accordingly, the explosion at such a distance from the target of the high-explosive warhead of a 3 kg missile containing several dozen tungsten balls causes guaranteed damage to the air object.