R550 Magic Country: France Type: AAM Introduction: 1976

The R550 Magic is a short-range air to air missile (AAM) designed in 1968 by French company Matra to compete with the American AIM-9 Sidewinder. Mass-produced from 1976, the Magic was adopted by the French Air Force and the Navy. The Magic is still carried by the Super Etendard, the Mirage 2000 and the Dassault Rafale. It is gradually being replaced by the MBDA MICA.

General Information
Developed by	France
Deployed by	Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocoo, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, UAE, Venezuela
Platform	Mirage III, Mirage F1, Mirage 2000, F-8 Crusader, Jagur, A-4 Skyhawk. Sea Harrier (for India), Super Etendard, Hawk, AlphaJet, MiG-23 (for Czech Rep.), MiG-21 (for Romania), F-16, Rafale, Tornado, AMX, F/A-18 Hornet
Number manufactured	9,850(all types, as of May 1991), 10,600(orders, as of June 1995)
Contractor	Matra BAe Dynamics

Dimensions and Performance
Length	2.9m
Body Diameter	15.7cm
Wing/Fin span	66.8cm
Launch Weight	89.8kg
Range	0.5-20km
Speed	Mach 3.0
Altitude	up to 18,000m

Components
Propulsion	Solid propellant
Engine	Romeo Butalene motor (Magic 1), SNPE Richard motor (Magic 2)
Warhead	12.5kg HE conventional rod
Guidance	IR seeker