Python (missile)

In the 1950s, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) submitted requirements for a domestically made air-to-air missile, to promote domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on imports. Rafael Armament Development Authority was contracted to develop the Shafrir (, loosely translated as Dragonfly, a male form of inflection for Damselfly, שפרירית) in 1959. The missile entered operational status with Israeli Mirage jets in 1963, but the IAF was unhappy with its performance and no air combat kills were achieved with it during the Six-Day War, kills being made with guns instead. The improved Shafrir-2 was soon introduced in 1971, and it proved to be one of the most successful air-to-air missiles ever made. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the IAF launched 176 Shafrir-2 missiles, destroying 89 enemy aircraft. The Shafrir-2 was exported along with Israeli-made aircraft to South American countries. After the Shafrir-2, the new missiles made by Rafael were 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 ability, it proved itself before and during the 1982 Lebanon War, destroying 35 enemy aircraft. The People's Republic of China was impressed with its performance and license-built the Python-3 as the PiLi-8 (PL-8) AAM. Further improvements to the Python-3 led to the development of Python-4 in mid-1980s, which added the option for helmet-sight guidance. 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 ability. 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 launch ability or is an all-aspect missile, 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 onto targets after launch, even when they are up to 100 degrees off the boresight of the launching aircraft. ==Variants==

Shafrir-1 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 the domestic defense industry's abilities, and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The fear of foreign dependence was later proven when France banned arms export to Israel. The Shafrir-1 was intended for use on French-built Mirage III jets. The first testing took place in France in 1963. However the missile's performance was so poor that work immediately started on the next improved version, the Shafrir-2. • Length: • Span: • Diameter: • Weight: • Guidance: IR • Warhead: blast explosive, later • Range: • Speed: Mach 1.7 Shafrir-2 The Shafrir-2 was credited with 89 kills in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. • Length: • Span: • Diameter: • Weight: • Guidance: IR • Warhead: , active laser proximity fuse with back-up impact fuse • Range: • Speed: Mach 3.5 or more Python-5 fighter The Python-5 is currently the most capable visual range air-to-air missile in Israel's inventory. As a short range air-to-air missile, it is capable of "lock-on after launch" (LOAL), and has full-sphere/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced seeker head which includes an electro-optical and imaging infrared homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase, and a complex design utilizing a total of eighteen aerodynamic surfaces. • Length: • Span: • Diameter: • Weight: • Guidance: IR + electro-optical imaging • Warhead: • Range: > • Speed: Mach 4 ==Other Python developments==

Derby Also known as the Alto, the Derby missile is a BVR, medium-range (~) active radar homing missile. Though technically not part of the "Python" family, the missile is an enlarged version of the Python-4 with an active-radar seeker. • Length: • Span: • Diameter: • Weight: • Guidance: Active Radar • Warhead: • Range: • Speed: Mach 4 I-Derby ER In June 2015, Rafael confirmed the existence of the I-Derby-ER, an extended range version of the Derby that increases range to , after a "Python 6" version based on an air-launched Stunner missile was abandoned. To achieve greater range, a dual-pulse solid rocket motor is added, where the secondary pulse of energy as the missile nears the target extends flight time. It also combines the seeker and fuse into an integrated sensor and fusing system to make room for the new motor. In May 2019, it was reported that India was planning to arm its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters with I-Derby ER missiles to replace its R-77 missiles. Previously, in 2018, it had already been selected for the Indian Air Force's HAL Tejas fighter. SPYDER The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an advanced ground-based anti-aircraft missile system developed by Rafael that uses surface-to-air versions of the Python-5 and Derby missiles. ==Operators==

AAMs are clearly visible on a Chinese Navy Shenyang J-8 interceptor Current operators • – Shafrir-2 (350 missiles, delivered 1981). • – Python-3. • – Python-3 (400 missiles, delivered 2001), Python-4 and Derby (200 missiles each, all delivered 2011). • – Python-5 and Derby missiles delivered as part of SPYDER system. • – Shafrir-2 (100 missiles, delivered 1978). • – Python-3. • – Python-4 (600 missiles, delivered 2004) and Python-5 and Derby missiles. • – Shafrir-2 (450 missiles, delivered 1977). Derby (Local designation as R-Darter or V4). Future operators • – I-Derby ER (48 missiles, delivered by 2027). ==See also==