Denel Dynamics completes A-Darter integration on Gripen
Helmoed-Römer Heitman
Denel Dynamics, the missile and UAV division of South Africa's Denel, has completed the integration of the A-Darter fifth-generation air-to-air missile with the Saab JAS39 Gripen after a series of six launches.
Seventeen other missiles were fired during the development, including several from Cheetah Ds operated by Denel for that purpose.
Integration with the BAE systems Hawk is in hand for the South African Air Force (SAAF) and the company hopes to begin integrating the A-Darter with the Brazilian Air Force's upgraded Northrop F-5 fighters. The missile is also intended to arm Brazil's new F-X fighter when that is selected, and is also likely to be selected by a third country.
SAAF fighter pilots involved with the project, or with insight into the development, are impressed by the A-Darter and regard it as better in some respects than the IRIS-T and the other missiles in this class. Where it was once speculated that the SAAF might use the A-Darter only on the Hawk, the intention now seems to be to also arm the Gripen with the missile, but retaining the IRIS-T in order to give a dual capability. Since the two missiles have different profiles and features, this will confuse the tactical situation as seen by an opposing pilot,
Specific aspects of the A-Darter mentioned to by SAAF pilots include the absence, under favourable atmospheric conditions, of the tell-tale (aluminium oxide particle based) smoke trail (no aluminium is used in the rocket propellant), giving opposing fighter pilots no visual warning other than a very discrete launch flash.
These features, along with a considerable range advantage over most short-range air-to-air missiles (A-Darter is considered a near-BVR missile) make A-Darter a major threat for opposing pilots.
Other aspects drawing favourable comment include, a 90-degree look angle; the availability of cockpit-selectable seeker scan patterns; quick target acquisition, which "rarely needs a second scan cycle", was told; after-launch scanning for lock-on-after-launch engagements, which is particularly valuable in "over the shoulder" engagements; and the 120-degrees per second track rate.
The missile is also light enough to be carried on all fighter wingtip stations. It has no flutter problems and little aerodynamic impact on the aircraft. As well as pre-programmed cockpit-selectable seeker scan patterns, other patterns can be programmed on the flight line. Its ECCM capabilities are also user-definable and reprogrammable.
Test firing of the A-Darter from a SAAF Gripen.
Test firing of the A-Darter from a SAAF Gripen. (Denel Dynamics)
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