On Show: Rafael’s Python-5 and i-Derby AAMs

At Aero India 2017, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems exhibited its Python-5 and i-Derby advanced air-to-air missiles. The former is a fifth generation air-to-air missile that provides the pilot engaging an enemy aircraft with a full sphere launch capability. The missile can be launched from very short to beyond-visual ranges with greater kill probability, excellent resistance to countermeasures, irrespective of evasive target manoeuvres or deployment of countermeasures.

Python- 5 combines advanced new technologies with operationally proven Python- 4 components. The missile incorporates a new dual waveband imaging seeker, advanced computer architecture, Inertial Navigation System ( INS), sophisticated Infrared counter- couter- measures ( IRCCM) and sophisticated flight control algorithms. Python-5 maintains Python-4’s unique aerodynamic airframe, INS, powerful rocket motor, warhead and proximity fuze.

The missile provides revolutionary full sphere competence, achieved by a combination of Lock- On- After- Launch ( LOAL) and ‘ excellent’ acquisition and tracking capabilities. Its dual waveband Fcoal Plane Array ( FPA) seeker and sophisticated algorithms enable acquisition of even small, low signature targets in LookDown, adverse background and cloudy environments.

The i-Derby is an active radar air-to-air missile that provides fighter aircraft with outstanding and effective performance in both short ranges and Beyond Visual Range ( BVR) intercepts. The missile enables operational flexibility and multishot capability, and can be launched at an enemy aircraft day or night and in all- weather conditions. Additional i-Derby capabilities include look-down/ shoot-down, sophisticated fire-and-forget mode and an advanced ECCM tailored to the customer's operational requirements. I- Derby's light weight allows it to be adapted to various modern fighter aircraft, including light aircraft, such as the F-5, Mirage and F-16.

Rafael now presents the i-Derby ER, a multi-range (short, medium and longrange) BVR air- to- air and air defence missile, based on the legacy of the Derby family. The i-Derby ER is an active radar air-to-air missile providing aircraft with effective performance in short range up to long BVR intercepts and incorporates the innovative i-Derby RF seeker combined with a dramatic increase of kinematic performance (up to 100km). I-Derby ER is designed for simplified integration on leading fighters, including light aircraft, such as the F-5, Mirage-2000, F-16, LCA, JAS-39 Gripen and F/A-50.