A-Darter (missile)
Encyclopedia
The A-Darter is a fifth generation short range infrared homing
air-to-air missile
, under development by South Africa
's Denel Dynamics (formerly Kentron) and Brazil's Mectron
. It is expected to enter service with the South African Air Force
, Brazilian Air Force
(FAB) and be offered for export. Ground tests and captive flight tests were performed in early 2010; launch tests in July 2010.
In 2006 it was announced that Denel would use the latest solid-state inertial measurement unit, the SiIMU02 from BAE Systems
for mid course range guidance.
's JAS 39 Gripen
and BAE Hawk
aircraft. The Brazilian Air Force
chose the A-Darter for its standard short range missile and will integrate it on the A-1M AMX, F-5BR and future FX-2.
During the second quarter of 2010 flight testing and the programme to integrate the missile on the SAAF's JAS 39 Gripen and BAE Hawk aircraft began at Denel's Overberg Test Range.
Infrared homing
Infrared homing refers to a passive missile guidance system which uses the emission from a target of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum to track and follow it. Missiles which use infrared seeking are often referred to as "heat-seekers", since infrared is just below the...
air-to-air missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
, under development by South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
's Denel Dynamics (formerly Kentron) and Brazil's Mectron
Mectron
Mectron is a Brazilian company headquartered in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo. It is a company focused on high-tech market, especially for the defense industry....
. It is expected to enter service with the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
, Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
(FAB) and be offered for export. Ground tests and captive flight tests were performed in early 2010; launch tests in July 2010.
In 2006 it was announced that Denel would use the latest solid-state inertial measurement unit, the SiIMU02 from BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
for mid course range guidance.
Service
The new missile will equip the South African Air ForceSouth African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
's JAS 39 Gripen
JAS 39 Gripen
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight single-engine multirole fighter manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. It was designed to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force...
and BAE Hawk
BAE Hawk
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft...
aircraft. The Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
chose the A-Darter for its standard short range missile and will integrate it on the A-1M AMX, F-5BR and future FX-2.
During the second quarter of 2010 flight testing and the programme to integrate the missile on the SAAF's JAS 39 Gripen and BAE Hawk aircraft began at Denel's Overberg Test Range.