The contract covers the development and production of the sight and its new thermal imager for 186 launching stations, within a scope of a modernization contract that French defense procurement agency DGA has awarded to MBDA, prime contractor for the Mistral missile. Sagem also supplies the infrared seeker for the Mistral surface-to-air missile.

A critical part of the weapon system, the Matis MP3 is a day/night sight that significantly enhances the Mistral missile’s capabilities in several key areas:
- extended detection and identification ranges;
- greater operability under different weather conditions;
- integration of day and night channels in the same system.

The Matis MP3 sight is a highly integrated unit with a user-friendly design, comprising:
- dual field IR channel with a 3-5 µm VGA detector;
- dual field daytime channel;
- latest-generation electronics that support image processing for even the most sophisticated threats, including under difficult weather conditions.

It is also fitted with a magnetic compass and GPS receiver, to provide geographic coordinate readings of the target and enhanced coordination of firing posts within a defense area.

As shown by this latest contract from the French army, Sagem offers an innovative and powerful new modernization solution for short and very-short-range surface-toair defense systems.