Matra Magic II missile

The Matra Magic II missile, also designated R.550 Magic 2, is a French short-range infrared-homing air-to-air missile developed by Matra as the improved follow-on to the original R.550 Magic. Reference sources describe it as the late-Cold-War version with an improved seeker that allowed frontal engagement, and Military Factory lists the Alpha Jet among aircraft able to carry the series.

Matra Magic II missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: Matra Magic II missile.JPG

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: Matra
Type: Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile
Service note: Introduced in 1986 as the improved Magic 2 variant
Variants: R.550 Magic, R.550 Magic 2
Developed from: R.550 Magic
Developed into: MBDA MICA

air-to-airshort-rangeinfrared homing

Specifications

Guidance: Infrared homing
Length: 2.75 m
Diameter: 0.157 m
Wingspan: 0.66 m
Weight: 89 kg
Warhead: High-explosive fragmentation, 12.5 kg
Range: 0.3 to 15 km

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Introduced in 1986 as the upgraded Magic 2 version and later retained in French service until MICA replaced it.

Carrier Aircraft

Military Factory identifies the Alpha Jet as able to carry Matra Magic II series air-to-air missiles among its external stores.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

Alpha Jet attack aircraft

Light attack aircraft

Military Factory lists Matra Magic II series air-to-air missiles among the Alpha Jet's external-store options.

Sources: Alpha Jet external stores

Matra Magic II missile Images

Matra Magic II missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Matra Magic II missile.JPG

Matra Magic II missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: MATRA R550 Magic 2 (4892769624).jpg

Matra Magic II missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: Magic II and Super 530D.jpg

Matra Magic II missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 4 — Source: Matra R550 Loaded on Pylon of Mirage 2000-5EI 2046 20120811.jpg

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Sources

Matra R.550 Magic | Weaponsystems.netPublisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports Matra origin, French origin, air-to-air role, guidance, dimensions, weight, warhead, range, and the improved Magic 2 seeker variant. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Short range guided missile Magic-2 | Missilery.infoPublisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports the 1985 production start, the upgraded Magic-2 designation, the all-aspect seeker note, and French and export-service context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Our History | MBDA SystemsPublisher: MBDA Systems | Note: Supports the later MICA replacement context for Magic 2 in French service. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Alpha Jet external storesPublisher: Military Factory | Note: Supports the Alpha Jet's carriage of Matra Magic II series air-to-air missiles among its external stores. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Matra Magic II missile.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary Matra Magic II missile image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 MATRA R550 Magic 2 (4892769624).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a second Magic 2 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Magic II and Super 530D.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a gallery image showing Magic II on a Mirage 2000. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Matra R550 Loaded on Pylon of Mirage 2000-5EI 2046 20120811.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a gallery image showing a Magic 2-family missile on a Mirage 2000 pylon. | Accessed: 2026-06-23