Python-4

Python-4
	; Python-4
General Information
Type	Air-to-air missile
Manufacturer	Rafael
development	~ 1990
Commissioning	1993
Technical specifications
length	3.00 m
diameter	160 mm
Combat weight	120 kg
span	500 mm
drive	Solid rocket
speed	Do 3.5
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 , F-5
Lists on the subject

The Python-4 is an Israeli short-range air-to-air infrared missile . It was developed in the 1990s by the Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael as the successor to the Python-3 .

development

5 generations of Python missiles

The trigger for the development of a new, greatly improved air-to-air missile were the reports about the latest Soviet guided missile generation , in particular the Wympel R-73 with its ability to be assigned targets in the rear area with the SchTschel-3UM helmet visor (" Over-the-shoulder "). The full capabilities of the R-73 were only known in the West after the MiG-29 of the NVA as a result of reunification were evaluated first detailed in 1990 by the German Air Force and later adopted.

The development of a Python 3 successor model, which began in the late 1980s, was then revised taking these findings into account. The development goal was now to exceed the performance parameters of the R-73 / SchTschel-3UM combination.

technology

Compared to the Python-3, the agility of the rocket has been increased by increasing the control surfaces and a new rocket motor. The improved infrared seeker head can now also be switched to an air target through a helmet visor and under high centrifugal forces. The missile can fly maneuvers with high g-forces without losing the target, which makes evasive maneuvers of the target largely useless. In simulations, the average duration of a dogfight from the intrusion on a target to its destruction of less than 30 seconds was determined. The cross-shaped layout of the control surfaces with double canards was adopted from the R-73.

The multi-field seeker has a limited counter-countermeasure capability, which means it can distinguish IR decoys from air targets. The control of the rocket is fully digital.

The Python-4's fragmentation warhead is triggered by a proximity fuse. In the event that a direct hit is achieved and the proximity detonator has not been triggered beforehand, an impact detonator is installed.

Technical specifications
length	3.0 m
diameter	160 mm
span	500 mm
Mass (total)	120 kg
Mass (warhead)	11 kg
drive	Solid rocket motor
Top speed	Do 3.5+
Range	15 km
Minimum distance	500 m
Turn rate	180 ° / 3s

Carrier platforms

The Python-4 can be launched from all Sidewinder-compatible launch rails, which gives it an almost universal usability with all current western fighter aircraft models. In 2005 it was certified for the F-15, F-16, F / A-18 and F-5. Without changes to the start rail electronics, the Python-4 behaves like an older AIM-9 Sidewinder -L.

In order to take advantage of the full capabilities of the Python-4, the suspensions must be equipped with new electronics.

Israel : The Python-4 is currently used by the Israeli F-15I and F-16I.

Brazil Brazil : Brazilian Air Force F-5EM

Turkey : F-16

Calls

The Israeli Air Force first used the Python-4 in 2006 in Lebanon to shoot down drones.

Individual evidence

^ ^A ^b John W. Golan: Lavi: The United States, Israel, and a Controversial Fighter Jet . U of Nebraska Press, 2016, ISBN 978-1-61234-785-1 , pp. 323–325 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Carlo Kopp: Fourth Generation AAMs - The Rafael Python 4. www.ausairpower.net, April 1997, accessed on February 11, 2018 (English).
↑ Python-4 A / A missile. www.globalsecurity.org, accessed on February 11, 2018 .
↑ Python-4. www.defencetalk.com, accessed February 11, 2018 (English).
↑ David Cenciotti: Close up view on a Python-4 air-to-air missile just fired by an F-5EM. theaviationist.com, December 9, 2014, accessed February 11, 2018 .
^ Tim Ripley: Middle East Air Power in the 21st Century . Casemate Publishers, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-099-7 , pp. 217 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
^ Tim Ripley: Middle East Air Power in the 21st Century . Casemate Publishers, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-099-7 , pp. 400 ( limited preview in Google Book Search).

Web links

Commons : Python Air-to-Air Missiles - Collection of Images, Videos, and Audio Files

Carlo Kopp: Fourth Generation AAMs - The Rafael Python 4. www.ausairpower.net, April 1997, accessed on February 11, 2018 (English).
Python-4 A / A missile. www.globalsecurity.org, accessed on February 11, 2018 .

[Lavi-1] A ^b John W. Golan: Lavi: The United States, Israel, and a Controversial Fighter Jet . U of Nebraska Press, 2016, ISBN 978-1-61234-785-1 , pp. 323–325 ( limited preview in Google Book search).

[ausairpower-2] ↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Carlo Kopp: Fourth Generation AAMs - The Rafael Python 4. www.ausairpower.net, April 1997, accessed on February 11, 2018 (English).

[3] Python-4 A / A missile. www.globalsecurity.org, accessed on February 11, 2018 .

[4] Python-4. www.defencetalk.com, accessed February 11, 2018 (English).

[5] David Cenciotti: Close up view on a Python-4 air-to-air missile just fired by an F-5EM. theaviationist.com, December 9, 2014, accessed February 11, 2018 .

[6] Tim Ripley: Middle East Air Power in the 21st Century . Casemate Publishers, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-099-7 , pp. 217 ( limited preview in Google Book search).

[7] Tim Ripley: Middle East Air Power in the 21st Century . Casemate Publishers, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-099-7 , pp. 400 ( limited preview in Google Book Search).