Python-3
| Python-3 | |
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| General Information | |
| Type | Air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Rafael |
| development | from 1978 |
| Commissioning | from 1982 |
| Technical specifications | |
| length | 2.95 m |
| diameter | 160 mm |
| Combat weight | 120 kg |
| span | 500 mm |
| drive | Solid rocket |
| speed | Mach 3.5 (1045 m / s) |
| Range | 0.5-15 km |
| Furnishing | |
| Target location | passive infrared target search |
| Warhead | 11 kg fragmentation warhead |
| Detonator | Laser proximity and impact detonators |
| Weapon platforms | F-15 , F-16 , IAI Kfir , F-4 |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Python-3 is an infrared guided air-to-air missile produced by the Israeli company Rafael Armament Development Authority .
development
The Python-3 developed by Rafael is a third generation air-to-air missile . The development is based on the Shafrir developed by Rafael in 1959 . When used by Mirage III, deficiencies were found which were remedied by the Shafrir-2 variant in 1971. The further development of the Shafrir-2 ended in the Python-3. The name was changed from Shafrir to Python without producing Python-1 or -2.
Python-3, developed in the late 1970s, was first used by the IAF in the 1982 Lebanon War. In retrospect, it turned out that the missiles used were pre-production models that were produced in a hurry so that they could be used and tested in the war. During the fighting, the IAF pilots were able to determine that the Python-3 was performing extremely well. They were responsible for the downing of more than 50 enemy aircraft during the conflict.
This superiority came about because the Python was aerodynamically designed in such a way that it can fly high g maneuvers without any problems and also attack low-flying targets such as helicopters and light aircraft. The missile cell has a load factor of 56 g . Another advantage was the infrared seeker head , which can detect targets in a cone of 30 to 40 °; this provided a 95% reliability rate. The seeker head can also be aimed at targets with a helmet visor. In addition, the Python got a powerful solid rocket drive, which enables speeds of up to Mach 3.5. The competitor model AIM-9L Sidewinder is inferior to the Python-3 in the areas of speed, range and turning.
The Chinese PL-8 is a licensed version of the Python-3. The license negotiations were completed in 1983; But it wasn't until 1988/89 that the first PL-8 rolled off the assembly line at Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Center (EOTDC). By the end of 1990, Rafael had delivered around 1,000 to 1,200 kits for local production. The missile is used by the Air Force and the naval aviators of the People's Liberation Army on the Chengdu J-7 , J-8B / D and Chengdu J-10 .
successor
The successor to the Python-3 is the Python-4 , which was put into service from 1990 with an IR / UV sensor head. In the 2000s that followed Python-5 (from 2004) of the missile with IR / bildgenerierendem sensor head and rotating light and target lock by helmet visor after the start ( English lock-on-after-launch ). The SPYDER air defense system was developed on the basis of the Python-4 and -5 .
variants
- PL-8 - Licensed final assembly of the Python-3 in China
Countries of operation
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Brazil
400 Python-3s were put into service from 2001 for the F-5E / EM of the Força Aérea Brasileira .
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Chile
From 1992, 120 guided missiles were delivered to the Fuerza Aérea de Chile for the Dassault Mirage III and F-5E.
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Ecuador
Since 1996, Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana has procured 60 Python-3s for Dassault Mirage F1 , SEPECAT Jaguar and Kfir .
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Colombia
Colombia bought 75 pieces for Mirage 5 and Kfir in 2003.
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South Africa
The South African Air Force bought 50 Python-3s in 1987 for the Mirage F1CZ and the Atlas Cheetah C / D and used them as the V3S Snake during the Angolan Civil War .
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Thailand
The Royal Thai Air Force procured 40 units for their F-5E, which were delivered in 1990.
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Venezuela
Venezuela bought 54 Python-4s for the F-16 Fighting Falcon .
Web links
- [ Internet source: archive url invalid Rafael Python 3/4/5 family (Israel), Airborne systems - Air-launched missiles - Air-to-air missiles. ] In: Jane's Electro-Optic Systems. Jane's Information Group, March 21, 2011, archived from the original on 2009 ; accessed on September 11, 2011 .
- [ Internet source: archiv-url invalid Python-3. ] Military analysis network, August 10, 1999, archived from the original on August 10, 1999 ; accessed on September 11, 2011 .