The Indian Air Force wants Israeli-made air-to-air missiles
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If India finally opts to acquire additional Russian made SU-30 fighters, it plans to equip it with Israeli made air-air missiles. This, according to a report in flightglobal.
The Indian government has yet to make the final selection between the French Rafale develop and manufactured by Dassault Aviation and the Russian SU-30. It should be noted the Indian Air Force is already operating its own version of the SU-30 MKI.
Recently the first overhauled SU-30 MKI aircraft was delivered to the Indian Air Force. The upgrade was performed by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), the aircraft’s licensed manufacturer. Reportedly, the project included structure and avionics work.
If the SU-30 is finally selected to be the backbone if the Indian Air Force, the intention of the Indians is to equip it with two Israeli made air-air missiles.
The two are manufactured by Rafael – one is the Python-5, a fifth generation air-to-air missile and the other is the Derby active radar missile.
Python-5 has a length of 3.1m, and diameter of 16cm. The weight of the missile is 105 kg. It can carry an 11kg high explosive fragmentation warhead equipped with an active laser proximity fuse.
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Python 5
Python-5 features a new electro-optical infrared seeker with high off-boresight capability. The infrared seeker scans the target area for the threat and locks-on for terminal chase after the target is identified.
It employs a dual waveband focal plane array (FPA). The FPA ensures the attainment of small, low signature aim-points during day or night, in both clear and cloudy conditions. The highly advanced image and signal algorithms guide the missile towards the target.
Python-5 is also equipped with lock-on-before launch (LOBL) and lock-on-after launch (LOAL) capabilities. In LOAL mode, the target information is transmitted from the launch aircraft to the missile.
The missile offers a high hit probability and excellent resistance to countermeasures. It can even engage targets capable of performing evasive maneuvers. The full sphere launch capability allows 360 degree engagement around the launch aircraft. The all-aspect / all-direction attack ability ensures the simultaneous destruction of multiple targets.
The Derby is BVR (Beyond Visual Range), medium-range active radar homing missile. It is 362 cm long and has a diameter of 16 cm the missile Weights 118 kg. Its warhead weighs 2 kg.
