R-Darter
| Kentron V4 R-Darter | |
|---|---|
| Type | Air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1995-2008[1] |
| Used by | South African Air Force Pakistan Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Denel Dynamics |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 118 kg (236 lb) |
| Length | 3.62 m (11.88 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.16 m (6.3 in) |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | >80 km[2] |
Guidance system | Active radar homing |
Launch platform | Combat aircraftorAttack helicopter: |
TheR-Darteris abeyond visual range (BVR)air-to-air missileguided by anactive radar homingseeker. It was designed and manufactured by the South African firmKentron,now known asDenel Dynamics.
The South African air-to-air missile program benefited from cooperation with Israel[3]during the 1980s and the R-Darter is very similar to thePythonDerby.
Service
[edit]The missile armed theSouth African Air Force'sCheetah Cfighter aircraft and was withdrawn from service when those were retired in 2008. The SAAF has not yet publicly announced which BVR missile will be procured to equip the 26 SaabJAS 39 Gripenswhich have replaced the Cheetahs.
TheBrazilian Air Forceis said to be evaluating the R-Darter for use with theirF-5fighters since Denel will be selling the missiles used for the test at a low price, as they are nearing the end of their shelf-life.[4]
It was reported in 2010 that the R-Darter is being operated by thePakistan Air Force.[5]
See also
[edit]- AIM-120 AMRAAM,a similar type of missile (beyond visual range)
- A-Darter,Denel's short rangeinfrared homingmissile.
References
[edit]- ^"NCACC inspectorate probing Icarus Marine".12 October 2010.
- ^"The South African Air Force".
- ^"International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > China's Emerging 5th Generation Air-to-Air Missiles".Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2009.Retrieved1 November2016.
- ^"Air Force Acquiring Additional F-5s and Evaluating R-Darter Missiles for Upgraded F-5s".Forecast International. January 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2007.Retrieved6 March2007.
- ^Engelbrecht, Leon (12 October 2010)."NCACC inspectorate probing Icarus Marine".Defence Web (defenceweb.co.za).Retrieved31 May2011.
defenceWeb could find no record of Denel sales to Pakistan, but the International Institute for Strategic Studies notes in its 2010 Military Balance publication that the Pakistan Air Force operates the "R-Darter" a beyond visual-range air-to-air missile.