Spyder Anti Missile System

Spyder Anti Missile System

   Surface launched python and derby missile is known as Spyder, python is a infrared guided heat seeking missile, where derby is an radar guided BVR missile, both missiles can lock the target before or after launching the Missiles, simply known as lock on after/before launch, these missiles are the derivatives of Fighter launched Python and Derby,both Python and Derby is fire and forget missiles, that can be launched in ripple fire mode to intercept large number of hostile flying objects, two version of Spyder is available, one is the SR version, having a four cell launcher vehicle with a EL/M 2016 ATAR 3D AESA Radar, and the MR version comes with eight cell launcher with much powerful EL/M-2084 MMR 3D AESA radar. while all of them have same limited range of upto 25 km only.

   With the increasing threats from Chinese and Pakistani long range cruise missiles, IAF has a challenge to secure it's air bases from enemy low flying cruise missiles, and heavy bombs, at that time IAF has no real fire and forget quick reaction SAM batteries which is also capable to shoot very low flying loitering UAV's and low flying cruise missiles, Air force planned to buy a SAM system which can detect and shoot such low flying threats, and floated a RFI in early 2000, and many foreign countries like West, US, Israel and Russia offered their advanced systems, after effective field trails, IAF impressed with the Israeli Spyder's performance. any how due to the leftist parties protest the deal was stalled, and IAF has no other option than the Israeli offer, most of the Israeli offers are very handy to the IAF, they allows the Indians to whatever they can do, they don't hesitate to supply the Spares and missiles when India steps in a war.

After some years of delay, the Defense ministry finally signed the deal with the Israeli's. and within a year Israeli's started delivering those missiles and launchers to IAF, as per the initial deal the IAF receives some 108 Spyder MR Launching units, Radar's and command posts for some $260 millions, and the exact information about the missile delivery is not available, it's believed IAF may bought some 1500 missiles, as 50-50 of Derby and Python, and many open sources reported that India bought the MR SAM system, means the eight cell launcher, where the exact information remains secret. and it's deployed area's also not available for public's. mostly they are somewhere in eastern and western frontiers.

    The IAF has ordered some 18 batteries, so it's means one Spyder web consists of six Spyder launchers plus a single Radar and command posts. also Israeli's has no problems of using Indian made trucks for transporting, currently IAF using the TATA trucks for Transporting those missiles and launchers, the IAF is so familiar with the EL/M-2084 Multi Mission 3D AESA radar, and Israel allows India to reverse engineer the Radar to make a desi version, the desi version is called as Arudhra, the MMR radar is not just a surveillance radar, it act as a weapon locating radar, and fire control radar too, even those EL/M Radar systems guides the Israeli Air force fighter to attack the exact location of hamas rocket launching positions, the known Iron dome uses the EL/M 2084 for surveillance and fire control.

    The Spyder missile system can capable to detect very low flying loitering targets, like UAV's and Cruise missiles, the operational target engagement altitude is twenty meters to 9000 meters, where the typical cruise missile can fly, the Spyder can shoot down both sub sonic and supersonic cruise missiles, interestingly the Spyder system can  work with both MR and SR versions, the Python and Derby missiles has the lock on after launch capability which gives the missiles single shot confirm kill probability, the Spyder missiles can launched from the cell within five seconds once the hair trigger pressed and the target was identified as hostile, interestingly the Spyder systems comes with infrared search and track system too, even if the Radar was compromised the Spyder launcher unit can launch the missile against threats, like how fighter air crafts switch off their radar and guide those missiles using IRST,

    The Missile system is highly network centric system, means even if enemy comes in large numbers with variety of flying machines, the Spyder's MMR radar can mark each targets and ripple launch those missiles for high probability kill in single shot, such scenario was tested only by the Americans as of now, by using standard missiles to destroy Ballistic, Cruise and air craft targets with 100% kill probability, same can be done by the Spyder too, except those ballistic missile, the spyder will engage the Ballistic missiles,however the small missile won't make huge damage to the monster sized ballistic missiles,

    Currently those missile defense systems are being used by Peru and  Singapore along with Indians, It's believed that IAF already received all those ordered Spyder systems and all of them under operational.

IAF once again Plans to Buy the Derby and Python 5 Missiles

IAF once again Plans to Buy the Derby and Python 5 Missiles 

Teajs shown with Derby and Spyder

      The Indian Airforce wants to add more Python and Derby Missiles into it's godown. where IAF previously once buy some undisclosed number of those missiles for the Light Combat Aircraft the Tejas. Recently Flight Global Confirmed Indian interests of buying more deadly Israeli made Air to Air Missiles which is more advanced for Dog Fighting and Air superiority. Previously the Indian Air Force Buys a Spin off Ground based SAM version of SpyDer. which is the same  Python and Derby missile launched from ground based platform. The IAF later bought some 750+750 Python 5 and Derby missiles to equip with the Spyder System.

Israeli F16 with Derby and Python 4

      The Derby is working under the Principles of BVR (Beyond Visual Range). which means the missile can capture the Target with imaginary devices and lock it the Target then calculate the path to destroy the Target. the Derby can operated in both day and Night operations and it suits well for WVR           ( within Visual Range ) engagements. which is best for the Known Dog fight where the Fighters can fight in the mid air showing their aggressive mode to defeat another one.  The Derby has the Look Down/Shoot down capability which means the Fighters mission computer check the Target's weak zone and feed it to the Missile then the missile ready to hunt the Target and hit the weak zone to achieve  total distruction  of the Target. the missile also complies the Fire and Forget mode which means once you launched the Missile you don't need to guide or update the missile from your cockpit. The missile alone do it and perform it's mission. the main ECCM ( Electronic Counter Counter Measure's) all the fighters equipped with Electronic countermeasure to confuse the inbound missile they fire it's flare to confuse the Missile as Fighter or heat source. most previous generation missiles fails to hit the target due to the ECCM. but nowadays most of the missiles equiped with ECCM which can evade the flares and target the correct enemy. 

      Another good thing in the missile is the LOAL/LOBL modes. the LOAL ( Lock on after launch)  modes allows the fighter to launch the missile before locking the Enemy fighter. where enemy can maneuver too much where friendlies can't do the same. so if you launch the Derby before locking the enemy fighter it can lock and shoot it down. in LOAL mode you should not let your wingman closer to the missile. LOAL is best for solo play.  LOBL (Lock on Before Launch) which can lock the target using the fighters mission computer then feed it into the Missile then Launch which gives good results compared to the LOAL mode.  Derby can engage Target at the distance of some 40 kilometers but the range can be further decreased by varying the Altitude. 

SAM version of Python and Derby

       The Python is the heat seeking missile which can track the target using the heat signatures.  the Python 5 is the newest in the Python family. it's also incorporates plenty of derby's Characteristics. the python too perform the LOAL missions. the Python 5 doesnt't have ECCM  feature but it will be more deadlier if it's launched in visual range targets. the main advantage of the python is all aspect launch. that means it can enage the target in your 6'o clock targets too by picking up heat signatures of enemy aircraft. the Python is also best choice for dog fighting. if your enemy turned his engine ON mode. then it should be a last day of your enemy's aircraft even he is in your behind but if he cruise behind you that's all the Python picks your engine as a Target. that's all game over. 

F 16 Loaded with Python Missile