Subyek: PHYTHON FAMILY MISSILES. Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:59 pm
HISTORY. In the 1950s, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) submitted requirements for a domestically-made air-to-air missile, to promote domestic defense industry as well as reducing reliance to imports. Rafael Armament Development Authority was contracted to develop the Shafrir in 1959. The missile entered operational status with Israeli Mirage jets in 1963, but the IAF was unhappy with its performance. Soon, the improved Shafrir-2 was made, and it proved to be one of the most successful, and deadly missiles ever made. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the IAF launched 176 Shafrir-2 missiles, destroying 89 enemy aircraft.[2] The Shafrir-2 was exported along with Israeli-made aircraft to South American countries.
After the Shafrir-2, the new missiles made by Rafael was given the western name of Python. This is why the next missile built by Rafael in early 1970s was named Python-3, but there is no Python-1 or Python-2 (they were Shafrir-1/Shafrir-2). The Python-3 has improved range and all-aspect attack capability, it proved itself before and during the 1982 Lebanon War, shooting down 35 enemy aircraft. The People's Republic of China was impressed with its performance and license-built the Python-3 as the PL-8 AAM.
Further improvements on the Python-3 lead to the development of Python-4 in mid-1980s. The Python-4 had limited "fire-and-forget" capability, as well as helmet-sight guidance.[3] In the 1990s Rafael started development on the Python-5 AAM, which was equipped with an advanced electro-optical imaging seeker with lock-on after-launch capability.[4] The new missile was show-cased in 2003 Paris Air Show, and intended for service with IAF the F-15I Ra'am ("Thunder") and the F-16I Sufa ("Storm").
The Python-5 is said to have "full sphere capability", meaning it can be launched at a target regardless of the target's location relative to the direction of the launching aircraft. It can lock on to the target after launch, and can do so to a target 100 degrees off boresight.
Versions Shafrir 1 Main article: Shafrir
The Shafrir 1 was developed in 1959–1964 to fulfill IAF's requirement for a domestic air-to-air missile. It was intended to build-up domestic defense industry's capability, as well as reducing reliance on foreign imports. The fear on foreign dependence was later proven when France banned arms export to Israel.
The Shafrir 1 was intended for use on French-built Mirage jets. The first testing took place in France in 1963. However the missile's performance was so poor that they immediately started on the next improved version, the Shafrir 2.
* Length: 250 cm (2.5 m) * Span: 55 cm * Diameter: 14 cm * Weight: 65 kg * Guidance: IR * Warhead: 11 kg blast explosive (later 30 kg) * Range: 5 km * Speed: ??
Shafrir 2 Main article: Shafrir
Perhaps the most deadly AAM ever built by Israel, the Shafrir was credited with 89 kills in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.[2] During its entire service life, the Shafrir 2 is credited with a total of 106 kills.
* Length: 250 cm (2.5 m) * Span: 55 cm * Diameter: 15 cm * Weight: 93 kg * Guidance: IR * Warhead: 11 kg * Range: 5 km * Speed: ??
Python 3 Python 3 missiles under the wings of an Israeli F-15 Eagle.
The Python-3 is a much-improved AAM with all-aspect attack capability, better speed, range, and performance. It performed well before and during the 1982 Lebanon War, scoring 35 (some sources claim 50) kills.
China's PLAAF was quite impressed with this missile, and paid for licensed production as the PL-8 AAM in 1980s.[6] The program code named "Number 8 Project" (八号工程) and formally started on September 15, 1983. From March 1988 to April 1989, technology transfer to China was complete while license assembly and license built parts continued, and by the spring of 1989, the complete domestic Chinese built missile received state certification. The major supplier of the missile was Xi'an Eastern Machinery Factory (西安东方机械厂) located at Xi'an, and China is also reported to have developed a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) system for the PL-8.
* Length: 295 cm * Span: 80 cm * Diameter: 15 cm * Weight: 120 kg * Guidance: IR * Warhead: 11 kg, active proximity fuse * Range: 15 km * Speed: Mach 3.5
Python 4 A Python 4 Patch worn by Israeli Air Force Groundcrew and Aircrew
The Python-4 is a 4th generation AAM with all-aspect attack capability, and integration with a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) system. It entered service in the 1990s, and like its predecessor Python 3, it is integrated with the Elbit Systems DASH (Display And Sight Helmet) HMS system for Israeli F-15s and F-16s. The missile's seeker is reported to use dual band technology array similar to that of US FIM-92 Stinger (infrared and ultraviolet), with IRCCM (IR ECCM) capability to reduce background IR radiation to reduce the effectiveness of enemy flares.
* Length: 300 cm * Span: 50 cm * Diameter: 16 cm * Weight: 120 kg * Guidance: IR * Warhead: 11 kg, active laser proximity fuse with back-up impact fuse * Range: 15 km * Speed: Mach 3.5 or better
Python 5
The Python 5 is currently the most capable AAM in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAM in the world. It has BVR (beyond visual range), LOAL (lock-on after launch), and all-aspect, all-direction (including backward) attack capability. The missile has an advanced electro-optical imaging infrared seeker (IIR or ImIR) that scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase. With a total of eighteen control surfaces and careful design, the resulting missile is supposed to be as maneuverable as air-to-air missiles with thrust vectoring technology. The Python 5 was first used in combat during the 2006 war in Lebanon, when it was used to shoot down a Hezbollah UAV.
* Length: 310 cm * Span: 64 cm * Diameter: 16 cm * Weight: 105 kg * Guidance: IR + Electro-Optical Imaging * Warhead: 11 kg * Range: >20 km * Speed: Mach 4
Also known as the Alto, the Derby missile is a BVR, medium-range (~50 km) active-radar seeker missile. Though technically not part of the "Python" family, the missile is basically an enlarged Python-4 with an active-radar seeker.
* Length: 362 cm * Span: 64 cm * Diameter: 16 cm * Weight: 118 kg * Guidance: Active Radar * Warhead: 23 kg * Range: 50 km * Speed: Mach 4
SPYDER RAFAEL and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) have teamed to introduce a short range (15km max range) low level (20 – 9,000m altitude) integrated, all-weather air defense system, which consists of the Python 5 IR guided, and Derby RF guided Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles.
Both missile systems are offering Lock-on Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-on After Launch (LOAL) modes, for faster response time and improved engagement flexibility. The system can effectively defeat all modern aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs and precision guided weapons. It uses two operational missiles which complement each other in their target detection, tracking and pursuit profile - the Python 5 missile is equipped with a dual waveband Imaging IR (IIR) seeker, while Derby is fitted with an active RF seeker, both missiles are highly immune to advanced countermeasures.
SPYDER firing unit deploys four missiles stored in ready-to-fire launcher-containers, installed on a high mobility vehicle, this configuration enables simultaneous engagement of multi-targets and ripple firing capability. A SPYDER system supports up to Spyder syste firing a Derby BVR missilesix firing units, missile reloaders and Command and Control Unit which can also accommodate the Elta EL/M-2106NG ATAR 3D surveillance radar and two operating consoles. The surveillance radar can simultaneously track and engage up to 60 targets, at a range beyond 35km (depending on the terrain). The control unit interfaces with the firing units via wireless datalink to enable optimal unit dispersion for effective area coverage, mutual protection and survivability. The system's high mobility offers quick deployment and operational agility. The system has VHF/HF communication for internal squadron communication and to upper tier command.
A typical SPYDER Squadron consists of one Mobile Command & Control Unit (CCU) for its operation and four Mobile Firing Units (MFU). The CCU is equipped with surveillance radar and two operator's stations. Each MFU can carry up to four ready-to-fire missiles (RF or IIR) in any combination. The CCU controls the MFUs and supplies them with engagement data. The missiles can be fired either from the CCU in remote mode or from the CCU with the confirmation of the MFU operator.
By using the latest Air Situation Picture (ASP), which is available by the local surveillance radar, the CCU assigns the targets for destruction to the appropriate MFU. The CCU system is built in an open architecture design and can receive data from upper tier Command & Control from a distance of up to 100km. In addition, there is a provision for receiving Air Situation Pictures communicated by other agencies.
Once the operator decides to launch, an automatic procedure begins. The CCU assigns the target to the appropriate MFU and the selected missile will start to search for the target. If the target is within acquisition range the missile will be launched in LOBL mode. If the target is beyond seeker acquisition range the missile will be launched in LOAL mode. The seeker searches for the target and when it acquires the target it begins the final homing phase. Both LOAL and LOBL modes are available for the Derby and for the Python 5. Destruction of the target is achieved either by warhead blasting upon impact or by the proximity fuze.
The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an anti-aircraft missile system that uses surface-to-air versions of the Python 5 and Derby missiles.
Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:59 pm
