Rafael has developed and flight tested a method of firing the Python 4 air-to-air missile without the benefit of a helmet-mounted cueing system, thereby enhancing the sales prospects of the high off-bore-sight air-to-air missile to the US Air National Guard (ANG) and overseas air forces.
Rafael and Lockheed Martin are working together to establish a US Python 4 production line. The Israeli company is seeking funds from Lockheed Martin to develop the infrared-guided, short-range weapon. In return, the US firm is seeking to establish itself in the air-to-air missile market - currently dominated in the USA by Raytheon with the AIM-9X -without incurring a major financial investment.
The Python 4 is designed to be aimed with a helmet-mounted sight, but most air forces do not have such a capability. David Lundquist, Lockheed Martin Python programme director, says the missile modifications have been successfully flight tested but are not yet operational.
Lundquist believes the Israeli air force will field the capability even though its Boeing F-15 Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters are already equipped with an Elbit helmet-mounted cueing system. He says the firing system modification could build sales of the Python 4 missile to nations which do not operate with helmet mounted sights because the change avoids the need for aircraft modifications.
The US ANG has considered purchasing the Python 4 as a stopgap system to arm F-16C/D Block 25/30s until the Raytheon AIM-9X reaches ANG fighter units.
Meanwhile, the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), developed by the Kaiser/Elbit joint venture, Vision Systems International, is slated for US Navy Boeing F/A-18E/Fs and USAF F-15s and F-16s. The ANG is not budgeted to receive the JHMCS, ruling out use of an unmodified Python 4.
Source: Flight International
