F-2 Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 Apparently Python 4 was in service in 1990 or earlier. AWST 6/1990
WinterH Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 There'll be some Phytons/derivatives in DCS in foreseeable future. Upcoming J-8II "PP" from Deka will let us use the PL-8, and eventual Kfir C7 from Aviron should have a Phyton-3 I believe. 1 Wishlist: F-4E Block 53 +, MiG-27K, Su-17M3 or M4, AH-1F or W circa 80s or early 90s, J35 Draken, Kfir C7, Mirage III/V DCS-Dismounts Script
F-2 Posted April 29 Posted April 29 Quote Rafael and Raytheon may uncoil Python for AIM-9X 24 September 1996 Save article Please Sign in to your account to use this feature RAFAEL IS IN talks with Raytheon which could lead to elements of the Israeli missile manufacturer's Python 4 agile short-range air-to-air dogfight missile being included in the US company's bid to replace US Air Force and Navy AIM-9 Sidewinder weapons. Raytheon's bid to meet the US AIM-9X requirement is based around a 125mm-diameter airframe. It has also provided a "growth-option" design thought to be based on a 165mm-diameter weapon. Rafael could provide an "off-the shelf" motor for the bigger design. The additional propellant in a wider diameter missile would increase considerably the weapon's performance-envelope. Rafael finally unveiled the configuration of its Python 4 at the Washington Convention. Previously, officially released images had omitted the forward ailerons and the rear-fuselage strengthening strakes. ADVERT Rafael confirms that it is in discussions with Raytheon over the Python 4 motor, which is already in service with the Israel air force. The solid-propellant dual-thrust motor, the ND-10, has a profiled motor burn to allow the missile to be used against high off-boresight targets. After an initial high-thrust burning of some 8kN (1,800lb) for 3-4s, the missile motor's thrust is reduced to around 0.7kN for up to a further 80s. A moderate increase in thrust to provide manoeuvring energy could also be expected. ADVERT Raytheon is competing with Hughes for the AIM-9X contract. The latter is offering an "in-house" bid based on the Box Office air frame and also a modified British Aerospace Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM). The improved ASRAAM P3I differs from the baseline design by including thrust-vector control and an increased warhead size. BAe's ASRAAM has also been evaluated separately under a foreign-comparative test (FCT) programme. An otherwise successful evaluation was marred when the final missile shot from a ground sled resulted in it breaking up around 4s into the flight. ADVERT Sources say that the sled test was intended to examine the missile's performance at a 30¡ angle of attack (AoA). The weapon was launched and flown at this AoA, successfully completing a maximum G turn before the failure occurred. The cause of the failure has yet to be determined. The US Department of Defense will announce the winner of the AIM-9X competition around the turn of the year, with a initial production run of 5,000 missiles each for the air force and navy. Source: Flight International
Recommended Posts