Python (missile)
(Redirected from Rafael Python)
| Rafael PYTHON | |
|---|---|
 The newest and the oldest member of the Python family of AAM for comparisons, Python-5 (displayed lower-front) and Shafrir-1 (upper-back). | |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See operators |
| Wars | Yom Kippur War[1] Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War 2006 Lebanon War[2] |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Unit cost | Shafrir series: Shafrir-1: US$20,000 |
| Produced |
|
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 103.6 kilograms (228 pounds 6 ounces) |
| Length | 3.1 metres (10 feet) |
| Diameter | 160 millimetres (6.3 inches) |
| Wingspan | 640 mm (25 in) |
| Warhead | 11 kg (24 lb 4 oz) |
Detonation mechanism | proximity |
| Engine | solid fuel rocket motor |
Operational range | >20 kilometres (12 miles) |
| Flight altitude | N/A |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4 |
Guidance system | infrared homing + 320×240 pixel dual waveband electro-optical imaging seeker, lock on after launch, with infrared counter-counter-measures (IRCCM) |
Launch platform | Aircraft:
BAE Sea Harrier CASA C-101 Aviojet F-4E Kurnass 2000 F-5E/F Tiger-II McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon[2] Dassault Mirage III Dassault Mirage 5 Dassault Mirage 2000 Eurofighter Typhoon[3] IAI Nesher/Dagger/Finder IAI Kfir HAL Tejas KAI T-50 Golden Eagle[3] Leonardo M-346FA Master[3] Saab JAS 39 Gripen[4] Sukhoi Su-30MKI[citation needed] Su-25KM Scorpion[5] |
The Rafael Python (stylized all uppercase; פיתון) is a family of air-to-air missiles (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, formerly RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. Originally starting with the Shafrir (