Python (missile): Difference between revisions

[[CASA C-101|CASA C-101 Aviojet]]<br />[[List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants|F-4E ''Kurnass 2000'']]<br />[[Northrop F-5#Upgrades|F-5E/F Tiger-II]]<br />[[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]<br />[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]]<ref name="f-16.net">[http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/2482/ Airframe Details for F-16 #87-1672]. F-16.net. Retrieved on 2013-07-17.</ref><br />[[Dassault Mirage III]]<br />[[Dassault Mirage 5]]<br />[[Dassault Mirage 2000]]<br />[[IAI Nesher|IAI Nesher/Dagger/Finger]]<br />[[IAI Kfir]]<br />[[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|BAE Sea Harrier]]<br />[[HAL Tejas]]<br />[[SAAB Gripen NG]]<ref name="saabgroup.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.saabgroup.com/Air/Gripen-Fighter-System/Gripen-Para-o-Brasil/O-Caca-Gripen-NG/ |title=Gripen for Brazil – The Fighter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331001718/http://www.saabgroup.com/Air/Gripen-Fighter-System/Gripen-Para-o-Brasil/O-Caca-Gripen-NG/ |archive-date=2013-03-31 |website=Saabgroup.com}}</ref><br />[[Sukhoi Su-30MKI]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}<br />[[Sukhoi Su-25#Su-25KM|Su-25KM ''Scorpion'']]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=9&lang=en |title=Fighter SU-25KM (Scorpion) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527062053/http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=9&lang=en |archive-date=2016-05-27 |url-status=dead |website=Geo-army.ge}}</ref>

The Rafael '''Python (פיתון)''' is a family of [[air-to-air missile]]s (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturer [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems]], formerly RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. Originally starting with the ''Shafrir'' ({{lang-langx|he|שפריר}}, loosely translated as a dome, or a protective cloak – the Israeli military considers itself mostly defensive, but also similar sounding to [[Dragonfly]], a male form of [[inflection]] for [[Damselfly]] (שפירית)) series, the ''Shafrir-1'' missile was developed in 1959, followed by the ''Shafrir-2'' in early 1970s. Subsequently, the missiles were given the western name of "''Python''" by the parent company for export purposes, starting with the ''Python-3'' in 1978. Since then, it has been further developed and evolved into the ''Python-4'', ''Python-5'', ''Derby'' and also, the [[SPYDER]], an advanced ground-based air-defence system. Currently, the missiles are in service with the armed forces of over fifteen countries from around the world.

In the 1950s, the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) submitted requirements for a domestically made air-to-air missile, to promote domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on imports. Rafael Armament Development Authority was contracted to develop the ''Shafrir'' ({{lang-langx|he|שפריר}}, loosely translated as [[Dragonfly]], a male form of [[inflection]] for [[Damselfly]], שפרירית) in 1959. The missile entered operational status with Israeli [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage jets]] in 1963, but the IAF was unhappy with its performance and no air combat kills were achieved with it during the [[Six-Day War]], kills being made with guns instead. The improved Shafrir-2 was soon introduced in 1971, and it proved to be one of the most successful air-to-air missiles ever made. During the 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]], the IAF launched 176 Shafrir-2 missiles, destroying 89 enemy aircraft.<ref name="python2">{{cite web |url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python2.html |title=Shafrir-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914040916/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python2.html |archive-date=2008-09-14 |website=www.Israeli-Weapons.com |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Shafrir-2 was exported along with Israeli-made aircraft to [[South America]]n countries.

The Python-5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/9/1189.pdf |title=Python-5 Full Sphere IR Air-to-Air or Surface-to-Air Missile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729222556/http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/9/1189.pdf |archive-date=2016-07-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref> https://www.rafael.co.il/system/python5/ </ref> is currently the most capable [[air-to-air missile]] in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}. As a [[beyond-visual-range missile]], it is capable of "lock-on after launch" (LOAL), and has full-sphere/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced seeker which includes an [[electro-optical]] and [[imaging infrared]] homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase, and a complex design utilizing a total of eighteen aerodynamic surfaces.<ref name="python5"/> The Python-5 was first used in combat during the [[2006 Lebanon War]], when it was used by F-16 Fighting Falcons to destroy two Iranian-made [[Ghods Ababil|Ababil UAVs]] used by the [[Hezbollah]].<ref name="f-16.net"/>

On 13 May 2021, an Israeli F-16 shot down a Hamas operated Shehab suicide drone with a Python-5 air-to-air missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/05/17/iron-dome-intercepts-drone-during-combat-for-first-time-says-israeli-military/ |title=Iron Dome intercepts drone during combat for first time, says Israeli military |date=17 May 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210620002841/https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/05/17/iron-dome-intercepts-drone-during-combat-for-first-time-says-israeli-military/ |archive-date=2021-06-20 |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/footage-shows-idf-fighter-jet-shooting-down-suicide-drone-launched-from-gaza/|title = Footage shows IDF fighter jet shooting down 'suicide drone' launched from Gaza|website = [[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2021/05/13/israeli-jet-shoots-down-suicide-drone-launched-from-gaza/|title=Israeli jet shoots down 'suicide drone' launched from Gaza Strip|date=13 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40601/palestinian-militants-are-now-launching-suicide-drones-at-israel|title=Palestinian Militants Are Now Launching Suicide Drones At Israel|first=Joseph|last=Trevithick|date=May 13, 2021|website=The Drive}}</ref>

*{{GEO}} – Python-5 and Derby missiles delivered as part of [[SPYDER]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Trade Registers|website=armstrade.sipri.org}}</ref>

*{{PHL}} – Python-5 and Derby with solid rocket booster (part of [[SPYDER]] air defense system).<ref>https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/israel-supplying-air-defense-missiles-philippines-a00293-20210516 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191493 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>

*{{SGP}} – Python-4 (600 missiles, delivered 2004) and Python-5 and Derby missiles.<ref name="SIPRI"/> As of 2023, Python-V are used on RSAF F-16C/D+ fighters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/september/9213-singapore-air-force-upgraded-f-16c-d-fighter-now-armed-with-python-5-air-to-air-missiles.html#google_vignette | title=Singapore Air Force upgraded F-16C/D+ fighter now armed with Python-5 air-to-air missiles }}</ref>

* [[{{lwc|AIM-9 Sidewinder]]}}

* [[{{lwc|IRIS-T]]}}

* [[{{lwc|ASRAAM]]}}

* [[{{lwc|R-73 (missile)]]|R-73}}

* [[{{lwc|Astra (missile)]]|Astra}}