science

Python (missile)

Python (missile) is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Python (missile) rather than just read about it. In short: The Rafael Python (stylized all uppercase; פיתון) is a family of air-to-air missiles (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, formerly RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. Originally starting with the Shafrir (Hebrew: שפריר, loosely translated as a dome, or a protective cloak – but also similar sounding to Dragonfly, a male form of inflection for Damselfly (שפירית)) series…

Key takeaways

Python (missile) belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Python (missile) to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Python (missile) from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Rafael Python (stylized all uppercase; פיתון) is a family of air-to-air missiles (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, formerly RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. Originally starting with the Shafrir (Hebrew: שפריר, loosely translated as a dome, or a protective cloak – but also similar sounding to Dragonfly, a male form of inflection for Damselfly (שפירית)) series, the Shafrir-1 missile was developed in 1959, followed by the Shafrir-2 in early 1970s. Subsequently, the missiles were given the western name of "Python" by the parent company for export purposes, starting with the Python-3 in 1978. Since then, it has been further developed and evolved into the Python-4, Python-5, Derby and also, the SPYDER, an advanced ground-based air-defence system. Currently, the missiles are in service with the armed forces of over fifteen countries from around the world.

Design and development

In the 1950s, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) submitted requirements for a domestically made air-to-air missile, to promote domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on imports. Rafael Armament Development Authority was contracted to develop the Shafrir (Hebrew: שפריר, loosely translated as Dragonfly, a male form of inflection for Damselfly, שפרירית) in 1959. The missile entered operational status with Israeli Mirage jets in 1963, but the IAF was unhappy with its performance and no air combat kills were achieved with it during the Six-Day War, kills being made with guns instead. The improved Shafrir-2 was soon introduced in 1971, and it proved to be one of the most successful air-to-air missiles ever made. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the IAF launched 176 Shafrir-2 missiles, destroying 89 enemy aircraft. The Shafrir-2 was exported along with Israeli-made aircraft to South American countries. After the Shafrir-2, the new missiles made by Rafael were given the western name of Python. This is why the next missile built by Rafael in early 1970s was named Python-3, but there is no Python-1 or Python-2 (they were Shafrir-1, Shafrir-2). The Python-3 has improved range and all-aspect attack ability, it proved itself before and during the 1982 Lebanon War, destroying 35 enemy aircraft. The People's Republic of China was impressed with its performance and license-built the Python-3 as the PiLi-8 (PL-8) AAM. Further improvements to the Python-3 led to the development of Python-4 in mid-1980s, which added the option for helmet-sight guidance. In the 1990s Rafael started development on the Python-5 AAM, which was equipped with an advanced electro-optical imaging seeker with lock-on after-launch ability. The new missile was show-cased in 2003 Paris Air Show, and intended for service with IAF the F-15I Ra'am ("Thunder") and the F-16I Sufa ("Storm"). The Python-5 is said to have full sphere launch ability or is an all-aspect missile, meaning it can be launched at a target regardless of the target's location relative to the direction of the launching aircraft. It can lock onto targets after launch, even when they are up to 100 degrees off the boresight of the launching aircraft.

Variants

Shafrir-1 The Shafrir-1 was developed in 1959–1964 to fulfill IAF's requirement for a domestic air-to-air missile. It was intended to build the domestic defense industry's abilities, and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The fear of foreign dependence was later proven when France banned arms export to Israel. The Shafrir-1 was intended for use on French-built Mirage III jets. The first testing took place in France in 1963. However the missile's performance was so poor that work immediately started on the next improved version, the Shafrir-2.

Length: 250 cm (98 in) Span: 55 cm (22 in) Diameter: 14 cm (5.5 in) Weight: 65 kg (143 lb) Guidance: IR Warhead: 11 kg (24 lb) blast explosive, later 30 kg (66 lb) Range: 5 km (3 mi) Speed: Mach 1.7

Shafrir-2 The Shafrir-2 was credited with 89 kills in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. During its whole service life, it is credited with a total of 106 kills.

Length: 250 cm (98 in) Span: 55 cm (22 in) Diameter: 15 cm (5.9 in) Weight: 93 kg (205 lb) Guidance: IR Warhead: 11 kg (24 lb) Range: 5 km (3 mi) Speed: Mach 2.1

Python-3

The Python-3 is a much-improved AAM with all-aspect attack ability, higher speed, range, and performance. It performed well before and during the 1982 Lebanon War, scoring 35 (other sources claim 50) kills. China's PLAAF was quite impressed with this missile, and paid for licensed production as the PL-8 in the 1980s. The program code named "Number 8 Project" (八号工程) and formally started on September 15, 1983. From March 1988 to April 1989, technology transfer to China was complete while license assembly and license built parts continued, and by the spring of 1989, the complete domestic Chinese built missile received state certification. The major supplier of the missile was Xi'an Eastern Machinery Factory (西安东方机械厂) located at Xi'an, and China is also reported to have developed a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) system for the PL-8.

Length: 295 cm (116 in) Span: 80 cm (31 in) Diameter: 16 cm (6.3 in) Weight: 120 kg (260 lb) Guidance: IR Warhead: 11 kg (24 lb), active proximity fuse Range: 15 km (9.3 mi) Speed: Mach 3.5

Python-4

The Python-4 is a 4th generation AAM with all-aspect attack ability, and integration with a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) system. It entered service in the 1990s, and like its predecessor Python-3, it is integrated with the Elbit Systems DASH (Display And Sight Helmet) HMS system for Israeli F-15s and F-16s, Chilean F-16s (MLU and C/D block 50/52 plus), F-5E/F Tiger III, South American Kfirs and the SAAB JAS 39 Gripen. The missile's seeker is reported to use dual band technology array similar to that of US FIM-92 Stinger (infrared homing and ultraviolet), with IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Countermeasures) ability to reduce background IR radiation to reduce the effectiveness of enemy flares.

Length: 300 cm (120 in) Span: 50 cm (20 in) Diameter: 16 cm (6.3 in) Weight: 120 kg (260 lb) Guidance: IR Warhead: 11 kg (24 lb), active laser proximity fuse with back-up impact fuse Range: 15 km (9.3 mi) Speed: Mach 3.5 or more

Python-5

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Python (missile)

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Python (missile) claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Python (missile) before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Python (missile) ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Python (missile)

In research: Python (missile) appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Python (missile) in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Python (missile) is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Air-to-air missiles of Israel, Israeli inventions, Military equipment introduced in the 1960s, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Python (missile) outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Python (missile) in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Python (missile) means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Python (missile) out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Python (missile) in simple terms?

Why does Python (missile) matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Python (missile)?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Python (missile).