SPYDER

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SPYDER
SPYDER.jpg
A missile firing unit (MFU) of the SPYDER-SR system
Type Short and medium range air defence system
Place of origin Israel
Service history
Used by See Operators
Wars Russo-Georgian War (unconfirmed)
Production history
Designer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Israel Aerospace Industries
Manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Produced 2005–Present
Variants SPYDER-SR
SPYDER-MR
Specifications (SPYDER-SR)
Weight 105 kg (231 lb) (Python-5)
118 kg (260 lb) (Derby)
Length 3.1 m (10 ftin) (Python-5)
3.62 m (11 ft 11 in) (Derby)
Diameter 160 mm (6.3 in) (both)
Warhead 11 kg (24 lb) (Python-5)
23 kg (51 lb) (Derby)
Detonation
mechanism
Active laser and electromagnetic proximity fuse with back-up impact fuse

Main
armament
×4 Python-5 or Derby missiles in any combination per MFU
Wingspan 640 mm (2 ft 1 in) (both)
Operational
range
1–15 km (0.62–9.32 mi)
Flight altitude 20–9,000 m (66–29,528 ft)
Speed Mach 4
Guidance
system
Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging (Python-5)
Active radar homing (Derby)
Launch
platform
Tatra truck
Mercedes-Benz Actros truck
MAN TGS truck
Scania P-series truck
Dongfeng truck

The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Rafael is the prime contractor and IAI is the major subcontractor for the SPYDER program. This system achieved a notable milestone in 2005 when missiles were fired against test targets in Shdema, Israel and scored direct hits. Since then, it has been showcased in multiple military exhibitions throughout the world.

The SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas. The system is fitted atop a Tatra truck, a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, a MAN TGS truck, Scania P-series truck, or a Dongfeng truck. It implements the Python-5 and Derby missiles of the same company. The SPYDER launcher is designed to fire Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles which share full commonality with the air-to-air missiles. There are two variants of the SPYDER: the SPYDER-SR (short range) and the SPYDER-MR (medium range). Both systems are quick reaction, all weather, network-centric, multi-launchers, and self-propelled. A typical battery consists one central command and control unit, six missile firing units, and a resupply vehicle. The SPYDER-SR uses the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar while the SPYDER-MR incorporates the EL/M-2084 MMR radar. The latter is the same radar used by the Iron Dome system currently in service with the Israel Defense Forces.

Current operators of the SPYDER missiles system include India and Singapore. The former operates the SPYDER-MR variant while the latter fields the SPYDER-SR variant. Peru's order for the SPYDER was pending as of 2012. There are reports that claim that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War but these allegations and assumptions have never been verified.

Development

In 2005, a milestone for the SPYDER air defence system was achieved. The SPYDER successfully fired the Python 5 and Derby in a test range located in Shdema, Israel. The results were two direct kills against a couple of targets. At the trial, the radar and command and control unit engaged the targets at long and short ranges. The trial was part of a greater series of missile firings.[1]

Exhibitions

The SPYDER air defence system has been showcased in 29 military exhibitions throughout the world. These exhibitions are:

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3

Description

Command and control

EL/M-2106 ATAR

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The Elta EL/M-2106 Advanced Tactical Acquisition Radar (ATAR) 3D Active electronically scanned array (AESA) surveillance radar is the Command and Control Unit (CCU) for the SPYDER-SR. This radar can track and engage multiple targets simultaneously and can control the missile firing units at a distance of up to 10 km away from the CCU.[32] The E/LM-2106 ATAR is a fourth generation defence radar designed by Elta and operates in the L-band wavelength. It is a field proven design that has operated in undesirable environments according to the designers and manufacturers. The range of detection for a fighter aircraft is 70–110 km. It can detect hovering helicopters at a range of 40 km and UAVs at 40–60 km.[33]

EL/M-2084 MMR

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The radar sensor unit of the SPYDER-MR comprises the EL/M-2084 Multi Mission Radar (MMR) 3D AESA radar. The EL/M-2084 operates in the S-band. It can process up to 1200 targets when in air surveillance mode and also detects targets located 250 km away. When the radar is static, it covers 120° in the azimuth.[34]

Surface-to-air missiles

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Ranges of Interception

As a short range air defence system, the SPYDER-SR has a short range of interception. The maximum altitude of interception is 9 km and the maximum range of interception is 15 km.[32] The SPYDER-MR has a greater operation range of 35 km and an altitude engagement of 16 km due to the missiles being equipped with boosters.[35][lower-alpha 1]

Python-5

The Python-5 is currently the most capable air-to-air missile (AAM) in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world. As a beyond-visual-range missile, it is capable of "lock-on after launch" (LOAL), and has all-aspect/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced electro-optical infrared homing (with imaging infrared) seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase.[37]

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Derby

The Derby is an active radar homing AAM that provides the SPYDER missile system with a fire-and-forget option due to its active radar guidance.[38]

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Operational use

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During the Russo-Georgian war of 2008, it was believed that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR.[39][40][41] The Georgian air force could have operated up to four launchers of the SPYDER-SR and it is likely that the system was lost in the conflict.[41]

Operators

File:SPYDER operators.png
Map with SPYDER operators in blue

Current operators

 Georgia
  • Georgian Armed Forces – There were reports that a battery of the SPYDER missile system was operated in 2008.[39] No official confirmation exists and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) arms transfer database cannot confirm this.[42] Jane's Missiles & Rockets magazine previously cited a Rafael representative claiming that one of the two export customers of the SPYDER missile system already has theirs deployed.[39]
 India
  • Indian Air Force – In 2006, India planned to acquire 18 SPYDER-MR systems at a cost of $395.2 million (Rs. 1800 crore) for its air force.[43] The contract was reviewed by the Central Vigilance Commission, the government’s anti-corruption agency, before the agreement was signed in September 2008.[44][45] In August 2009, the multi-billion dollar contract for Israeli anti-aircraft missiles was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council headed by defence minister AK Antony.[43][46] Although previous estimates of the contract's value was 18 billion rupees ($395.2 million), recent reports indicate a lower value of $260 million.[42][43] The Jerusalem Post contradicts these figures and mentions a price of $1 billion for the purchase of the surface-to-air missiles.[47] The SPYDER systems were delivered starting in 2012. Six SPYDER-MRs along with 300 Python-5 surface to missiles (SAMs) and 300 Derby SAMs were delivered by 2013.[42]
 Peru
  • Peruvian Air Force – In March 2012, Peru chose the winners of a $140 million competition meant to upgrade its ageing air defence systems out of the group of 20 defence companies.[48] Amidst the presence of Russia's Rosoboronexport and Chinese firms, the winners were Poland's Bumar Group, Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, and the USA's Northrop Grumman.[49] Rafael industries is expected to supply six SPYDER-SR systems in this deal.[50]
 Singapore
  • Republic of Singapore Air Force – In 2008, the Ministry of Defence ordered two SPYDER-SR batteries along with 75 Python-5 SAMs and 75 Derby SAMs. They were all delivered during 2011 and 2012.[42] Some SPYDER-SRs were operated by the 165 Squadron in 2011.[51]
 Vietnam
  • In 2015, Vietnam chose the SPYDER missile system as its new short-range air defense missile system. [52][53]

See also

References

Notes

  1. The official brochure of the SPYDER missile system by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems contradicts the figures for the interception range for both the SPYDER-SR and SPYDER-MR. The brochure mentions that the interception range of the SPYDER-SR is 20 km instead of the 15 km and 50 km instead of 35 km for the SPYDER-MR.[36]

Citations

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  52. http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.ae/2015/10/vietnam-has-selected-israeli-rafael.html
  53. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/india-to-buy-israeli-spyder-mobile-air-defense-system-02702/

External links