MICA is a very beautiful missile... If you understand this is one of the best missile like Derby.. while Derby can lock on after launch which is more advantage...like Derby MICA can be used both in WVR as well BVR.. Not sure AIM-120 or Meteor or R-77 or Astra can do that way...
because when the enemy comes in WVR range the BVR's above will become useless whereas you can still employ MICA... and you know Missile will win war not the machine... until it comes to the gun battle level.. In modern scenario gun battles will happen 1 in 10 combat
MICA has Lock-On-Before and After Launch capability as well and what makes the EM version even more deadly than Derby is, that it is highly maneuverable with it's TVC capability, which normally only latest SR missiles have. The French use the same frame and propulsion for both missile seekers, what makes MICA EM one of the most maneuverable and light weight, active BVR missiles, with the downside that it don't has the range like others (AFAIK 67Km was the longest confirmed shot). At the same time, that makes MICA IR the only passive missle, that offers BVR the same Lock-On-Before and After Launch capabilities, but also the same BVR range.
So any fighter that is loaded with MICA can use all missiles in WVR and BVR combats, while an fighter loaded with dedicated WVR and BVR missiles, often has only a 2 + 2 config.
how does Rafale going to perform in air combat mission
It detects enemy radar emiters at long range with SPECTRA, get precise target data, gets into a position where the enemy can't detect it, while getting closer to it. When identification is required, SPECTRA cues the FSO TV channel on the target (ID at around 50Km, with the system offered in MMRCA even more), then it can guide MICA IR via IRST, MICA EM with the radar, or use both with the LOAL capability and guided just by SPECTRA.
The AESA radar is used just in addition to SPECTRA, which is the prime feature/sensor of the Rafale, not to mention that the Rafale we will get will have METEOR as well, besides that it is a highly maneuverable fighter in dogfights. So there is no reason to worry about Rafale in air combats, because that was a prime design aim as well, but the French have a unique focus on multi role capability and versatility, be it on the fighters (Mirage / Rafale), or the weapons (MICA / AASM). That makes them not the best in a certain field, but the best allrounder and that is exactly what we need, when we already have the MKI and the LCA.
