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Derby



Overview


Derby

Derby missile.
Source: Rafael - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Israel
Type
Long range air to air missile
Entered service
Late 2000's
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's - early 2000's
Developer
Rafael
Production
Mid 2000's - present
Producer
Rafael
Unit cost
$ 300.000
Designations
Alto (alternative designation)
Notable users
India

Description


Introduction

The Derby is a modern Israeli air to air missile. It is a further development of the successful Python series. Reportedly the Derby started as a joint development effort by Israel and South Africa. Unlike the Python it features active radar homing and beyond visual range capability. The Derby is more in the league of the French MICA RF than the longer range American AMRAAM or Russian R-77.

Layout

The Derby can be considered an enlarged version of the Python 4 missile using active radar homing instead of infrared guidance. As such the Derby is a medium sized missile. The layout is conventional with the guidance section in front, followed by the warhead and with the rocket motor making up the rear half of the missile. There are four steerable fins at the front and four small steerable wings at the rear.

Guidance

The Derby uses active radar homing and can be launched at targets at short range and beyond visual range. At longer ranges the missile uses inertial navigation before the missile's own radar acquires the target. Seeker and ECCM quality are reportedly very good.

Firepower

The Derby is a capable missile with a maximum range of about 50 km. When launched from a fighter the typical maximum speed is Mach 4. Lock on after launch allows for all aspect engagement. When launched from the ground the maximum range is quoted to be over 35 km. The maximum altitude is 16 km at a much reduced maximum range.

Platforms

The Derby is used on the Israeli F-16I. It can also be integrated with other types of F-16, the F-5 Tiger and the French Mirage. It is selected by India to be used on the indigenious Tejas fighter aircraft. Additionally the Derby can also be used as a surface to air missile. The truck mounted SPYDER system is able to launch both the Derby and the infrared guided Python 5.

Users

The main user of the Derby is Israel where it is used alongside the infrared guided Python series and radar homing AMRAAM. Additional sales have been to Georgia and India.

Variants


Identifying the Derby

The Derby can be launched from aircraft or from the ground based SPYDER system, making the missile truly multipurpose. The Derby can be identified by its pointed radome which is very different from the round infrared seekers used on the Python series. Additionally it has only a single set of forward fins. Compared to other radar guided missiles, such as AMRAAM and Sparrow, the forward fins are located much closer to the nose.

List of known variants

Derby
Original production model.
I-Derby
Model with improved seeker and software. Introduced 2015.
I-Derby ER
Long range variant of the I-Derby with dual pulse rocket motor.

Details


Facts Derby
General
Origin
Israel
Type
Long range air to air missile
Dimensions
Length
3.62 m
Diameter
0.16 m
Wingspan
0.64 m
Weight
118 kg
Guidance
Terminal phase
Active radar homing
Initial phase
Inertial navigation
Operating modes
Lock on before launch
Lock on after launch
Warhead
Type
HE-Fragmentation
Weight
23 kg
Fuse
Proximity fuse
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Solid propellant rocket motor
Speed
Mach 4
Range
50 km

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