R darter was reportedly having range of 60 km, if its improved it good easily match earlier versions of sd-10?..so that could be reason why PAF pushed hard for sd-10 improvement in earlier 2000s. ? it could also mean that sd-10 may have killed the project?
there are some rumors that sd-10 was in effect a near copy of r-dater too?
deniel could have been a good source for us to acquire decent BVRs with TOT. lets hope PAF did the right thing.
anyway the image u posted can be seen on this website
V-4 R-Darter
In the 80s and 90s, the Kentron South African and Israeli Rafael cooperated in the development of a missile-air medium-range air. The South African missile is called the R-Darter and Israeli Derby. Some sources cite that are the same gun with different names. The Kentron showed the R-Darter first in 2000 with Derby being advertised to the public in 2001. Only the weight difference of the two arms according to specific publications. Some sources cite that the two countries cooperate in the missile project called "High" with the finished project at the beginning of the 90s.
The R-Darter (Radar = R) has designated V-4 in the South African Air Force and came into operation on the Cheetah C fighter Squadron No2 in 2001 (or 1999) as their primary medium-range weapon. The development ended in 1999 and the first firing the missile engaged a target maneuvering at 20 thousand feet below the launch aircraft with a direct hit.
An R-Darter mounted under the wing of a South African Cheetah. The pitcher has 38kg and length of 2.7 m. The R-Darter entered service with the SAAF in 1999. The Cheetah can take up to four missiles on the wings.
The R-Darter missile is an air-air medium-range, radar-guided active, capable at any time, every aspect, and the ability look-down/shoot-down. The missile can be fired at multiple targets simultaneously.
The missile is 3.6 meters long with a diameter of 160mm and weight of 120kg (2 kg more than the Derby). It is light enough to be taken at the tips of the wings of F-5, F-16 and Gripen.
The configuration of the missile is similar to the Derby. Just behind the fins are four active radar direction control triangular. The fins are much more forward when compared with similar missile configuration. Close behind are two rectangular fins control roll with the same function found in the Derby and Python-4.
If the internal configuration is similar to the internal drives are Derby, nose to tail, radar, front servos, electronic sensor, electronic unit, IMU, fuze proximity, pre-fragmented warhead and rocket motor. Close behind are four stabilizing fins on the cross.
The R-Darter uses propulsion rocket motor acceleration and support with low smoke and head of the search for active radar being able to engage targets maneuvering up and reach for short distances beyond the horizon.
The sensor's active R-Darter and Derby are the same, developed by Israeli Aircraft Industries (division of MBT). The software counter-electronic counter can be set according to user needs.
The missile uses locking modes launch after launch (LOAL) with the target designated by the pilot of the aircraft using radar data that passes the position and velocity of the target before launch. The missile can also be targeted by other sensors like IRST and HMS.
In order LOAL the missile flies to the predicted position of the target by an inertial system to the activation of the search radar missile. The radar is looking at the proposed position of the target before launch. After locating the target to intercept the missile launches. The warhead is activated by a proximity fuze and impact.
Initially it was not mentioned whether the missile had a datalink for mid-course update. The use of a datalink would be necessary to engage a target far and maneuverable as the missile follows a programmed path during launch, unable to update. On the other hand there are advantages to not using the datalink as the plane launcher does not need to keep the target in the cone 120 to 150 degrees radar to continue to send the coordinates of the target. The installation of the datalink is also complex and expensive.
Mode locking before the release (Lobl), the target can be designated by the radar, HUD or crosshairs on the helmet with a great view angle to the missile's radar lock on target. In this mode a second missile can be launched as soon as the first leaves the launch rail or can be launched almost simultaneously with other IR-guided missile like the A-Darter or Python 4, giving the target less likely to escape or launch effective countermeasures against two missiles. The ability to combat short is quoted as being better than the AMRAAM missile with being able to perform turns pulling 55 g's.
Range is estimated at 50km when launched at high altitude against a target at high altitude in the opposite direction. The range also depends on the speed and altitude of the airplane launcher, as any missile. A shooting at Mach 1.4 and 12,000 meters can double the range.
The multimode radar of the Cheetah C (EL/M-2032) allows the engagement of multiple targets simultaneously. The R-Darter has been designed in order to equip older aircraft like the MiG-21 and F-5. The R-Darter 1553B interface needs a separate processor, or in aircraft that do not have databus.
The R-Darter has always been thought of as a missile export. The R-Darter was selected in 1998 to equip fighter JAS-39 Gripen and the South African coach chosen for the program ALFA (Advanced Light Fighter Competition) won the 100 Hawk.
According to the R-Darter Kentron is cheaper than AMRAAM and MICA and lighter than AMRAAM and has no restrictions on exports as the last. The performance is considered between the Russian R-77 AMRAAM and according to the manufacturer.
The R-Darter is a direct competitor of the AMRAAM, but the Kentron know you can lose the majority of contracts for the U.S. AMRAAM can sell cheaper versions despite being "downgraded".
In 2005 it was announced that the FAB comprau ten R-Darter missile inventory of the Air Force in South Africa are old missiles, with only one or two years of life, to test them in real shots. If performance is in line with the expected new units can be purchased to retrofit units F-5EM/FM. Each missile is expected to cost between $ 100,000 and $ 200,000 as a new R-Darter is sold for $ 1 million. In 2006 it was announced that the Air Force bought the Derby.
An R-Darter missile on an F-5EM FAB. The missiles be used for testing and development of operational doctrine. The 14th GAV should test these missiles in the 2nd half of 2006.
The first pictures of the R-Darter showed no stabilizing fins horizontal scroll wheel just behind the main controls found in Derby. After it was explained that the missile test was captive and did not have fins.
A pair of R-Darter on the wings of a Cheetah.
An R-Darter captive flight test of a Cheetah.
In 1995, the Kentron showed a proposed air-air missile long-range image sensor with IR and ramjet engine called LRAAM (Long-Range Air-to-air missile). The missile would use a ramjet engine Somchem that had already been successfully tested. The missile would be equipped with CVT would work in the first 2-3 seconds of flight. In the rest of the flight control would be a tail fin controlled by electromechanical servos. The new IR sensor would be based on technology developed for the sensor of the A-Darter. The flights began in 1994 with the fuselage of the missile's ramjet engine and SAHV Somchem. The missile would have a datalink and reach a distance of 100km. In 1998 it was announced that the missile would be called S-Darter and a low-cost version was in development with a range of 50km (perhaps the R-Darter).
The LRAAM BVRAAM UK participated in the program for a long-range missile to replace the AMRAAM and Sky Flash. The competitors were the BAe / GEC-Marconi / Saab Dynamics / Alenia S225X with the Matra MICA (FORMICA), Daimler-Benz Aerospace with the A3M and Hughes / Raytheon AMRAAM with. All would use ramjet propulsion. The winner was the S255X and A3M which became the Meteor.
A mock-up LRAAM came to be shown in the Le Bourget air show in 1995.
A version of SAM S-Darter could be offered for export equipped with CVT and engine acceleration with range up to 30km. The 20kg warhead and the missile would fly at Mach 3.2.
In 1999, Denel has offered Pakistan a proposed air-air weapons for the Super 7 game produced in conjunction with China. Includes a proposal for a medium-range missile equipped with datalink believed to be called the T-Darter. Pakistan tested missile H-4 in 2003 and it is believed that this is missile. Pakistan has also studied the acquisition of Matra MICA and Chinese PL-10. Pakistan aims to counter the threat of long-range missiles such as the Indian Vympel R-77, Super-530D and Astra.
In 2006 South Africa announced that it will not install the R-Darter in its JAS-39 Gripen fighters and development should be discontinued. The missiles will be phased out along with the Cheetah C in 2010.
The Denel recognizes the existence of a new missile, but did not name the program. The new missile will use parts of the missile Umkhonto naval surface-to-air active radar with new sensor being developed for release Umkhonto-R. The negative Denel using the CVT Umkhonto or ramjet propulsion. The work done in S-and T-Darter Darter will be used in the new project. The Denel studies the participation of foreign partners such as India and Brazil.
Technical Data:
Length: 3.62 m
Body diameter: 16 cm
Wingspan: 64 cm
Weight: 120 kg
Warhead: n / a
Fuze: Proximity
Range: up to 60 km
Updated January 30, 2007
R-Darter
its ATGM and nothing to do with air force .
