Python (Missile)
The Python is a family of short-range air-to-air missiles (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturing company RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. The first was the Shafrir-1 missile developed in 1959, followed by the Shafrir-2 in early 1970s. Afterwards the missiles were given the western name of "Python", starting with Python-3 in 1978.
Versions
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-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: ??
Perhaps the most deadly AAM ever built by Israel, the Shafrir was credited with 89 kills in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. 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: ??
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. The program code named "Number 8 Project" and formally started on 15 September 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 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
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: 295 cm
- Span: 50 cm
- Diameter: 15 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. 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 manuevorable as air-to-air missiles with thrust vectoring technology.
- Length: 310 cm
- Span: 64 cm
- Diameter: 16 cm
- Weight: 103.6 kg
- Guidance: IR + Electro-Optical Imaging
- Warhead: 11 kg
- Range: >20 km
- Speed: Mach 4
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