T-Darter Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Program
Excerpts:
Is it possible that PAF will acquire the T-Darter BVR missile for JF-17s in the future ?
@fatman17 @Aeronaut @WebMaster @PWFI @BATMAN @Major Sam @cb4 @farhan_9909 @mafiya @Jungibaaz @Spring Onion @qamar1990 @Imran Khan @Gentelman
Excerpts:
=> 24 February 1999
Denel of South Africa is offering Pakistan a package of air-to-air weaponry for its planned Chengdu Super 7 fighter being jointly developed with China. It includes a proposed joint development of a datalink-equipped radar-guided beyond visual range (BVR) missile.
The Pakistan air force confirms it is evaluating a range of active-guided BVR missiles, including the newly proposed T-Darter development by Denel's Kentron. The air force's Super 7 chief project director, Air Vice Marshal Hamid Khawaja, describes the South African missile as "very impressive on paper".
T-Darter is understood to be a further development of Kentron's radar-equipped R-Darter now in low-rate production and Ramjet-powered S-Darter or LRAAM. The new proposed air-breathing missile would incorporate a datalink for mid-course guidance updates and effective target engagements at ranges in excess of 50km (27nm).
Denel offers Pakistan missile deal - Flightglobal
=> 18 December 2003
The H-4 bombs have been made through indigenous efforts by modifying the technological design of South African T-Darter BVR missiles. Till the induction of JF-17 Thunder in 2006, with a provision for BVRs, the H-2 and H-4 bombs could be carried by Mirage fighter jets.
PAF adds new bombs to its arsenal - Dawn
=> 6 October 2006
Under existing plans the SAAF will not have a BVRAAM for its Saab Gripen fighter force when it enters service at the end of the decade. The R-Darter missile, currently fielded on SAAF Cheetah C fighters, is to be retired along with the Cheetahs around 2010. (JDW)
South Africa eyes new missile for Gripen fighter - The South African Air Force
=> 14 April 2008
Denel Dynamics, the smart weapons division of the state arms maker, is conceptualising a new high-performance radar-guided missile that, if it comes to fruition, will provide SA's fleet of Gripen advanced light fighter aircraft its main punch.
The advanced weapon will also have substantial export potential and could gain the country billions of rand in foreign exchange in addition to boosting the local ICT skills and know-how base.
The missile is known as the T Darter and is being designed to replace the R Darter (Radar Darter) currently in service with the SA Air Force (SAAF), where it is known as the V4. Cabinet, in 2003, decided to retire the V4 when the Cheetah fighter jet was withdrawn from service as the missile contained Israeli technology and required continued assistance from that country to remain operational.
Denel Dynamics CEO Jan Wessels says the T Darter will join their A Darter, currently under joint development with Brazil, under the wings of the Gripen, which has just started entering service with the SAAF. Last month SAAF started phasing out the Cheetah and the V4.
SA is the only member of the Non-Aligned Movement, other than India, that can design and build missiles in this class, called the beyond visual range category in military circles.
“T Darter is a concept radar-guided missile,” Wessels says. “We are [proposing to use] some of our existing technologies and [are] looking for partners for the rest. We will typically provide the nose of this missile, which is the radar and are looking for a partner for the 'back end',” he says.
Other than the radar, the 'front end' also includes a number of proprietary processors that guide the weapon to its intended target at ranges that can extend to over 60km – the striking distance of the V4.
Denel conceptualises new missile - ITWeb
=> 25 November 2010
Chief of the Air Force (CAF) Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano last year said the SAAF was contemplating a beyond visual range AAM (BVRAAM) for Gripen, but added that high integration costs and a tight budget this would likely mean the choice of a weapon already integrated by the original equipment manufacturer. Denel Dynamics, the state arsenal business unit developing the A-Darter with Brazil under a billion rand programme dubbed Project Assegaai, had hoped to develop a local radar-guided BVRAAM for Gripen, provisionally called the T-Darter.
SAAF maintaining IRIS-T arsenal - defenceWeb
=> 6 June 2013
South African arms manufacturer Denel Dynamics says it is working toward producing a family of surface-to-air and air-to-air defense missiles amid a larger push to expand collaboration with nations in South America, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere in Africa.
Denel says its new missile technology system, called Marlin, should lead to surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for armies and navies and air-to-air missiles (AAMs) for air forces.
Besides Brazil, Denel in 2008 was reported to be working with China in developing the T-Darter missile system.
Denel Sees High-Tech Opportunities in Developing Countries - Defense News
Is it possible that PAF will acquire the T-Darter BVR missile for JF-17s in the future ?
@fatman17 @Aeronaut @WebMaster @PWFI @BATMAN @Major Sam @cb4 @farhan_9909 @mafiya @Jungibaaz @Spring Onion @qamar1990 @Imran Khan @Gentelman
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