TSAMTO, April 29. The Indian Defense Ministry reported on the successful integration of the 5th generation Python-5 air-to-air guided missile on board the Tejas light combat aircraft, as proved by the test launches conducted on April 27.
The series of test launches conducted in Goa also confirmed the effectiveness of the use of the previously integrated Derby air-to-air guided missiles on board the Tejas in difficult conditions.
The Derby missile hit a high-speed maneuverable air target with a direct hit. UR "Python-5" also provided 100% hits. Thus, the objectives of the tests were achieved.
Prior to the test firing, extensive flight tests of the aircraft were conducted in Bangalore to assess the integration of the Python-5 SD with its onboard systems, including avionics, fire control radar, launcher, and flight control system.
In Goa, after the successful completion of tests for separation from the carrier, a combat launch of missiles was carried out on the target "Banshee". Combat launches of the Python-5 missiles were carried out to test the possibility of hitting the target from various directions, as well as out of sight. In all launches, the missile hit an aerial target.
The rocket was launched from a Tejas aircraft from the National Flight Test Center (NFTC), piloted by test pilots of the Indian Air Force.
As reported by TSAMTO, the all-angle guided missile "Python-5" of the air-to-air class developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is equipped with a dual-band thermal imaging homing head with a receiving matrix installed in the focal plane. The UR is built according to the "duck" aerodynamic scheme.
Aerodynamic control is carried out using the rudders located in the nose. The length of the rocket is 3.1 m, the launch weight is 105 kg, the wingspan is 64 cm, the diameter is 16 cm. UR "Python-5" is equipped with a solid-fuel rocket engine, an inertial guidance system, a high-explosive warhead weighing 11 kg, a non-contact fuse. The missile is also used as a means of destruction as part of the ground-based SAMs of the Spider family.
