ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV
Rafael is to use its Derby air-to-air missile as the basis of a mobile surface-to-air weapon system, similar to the US Marine Corps' Complementary Low-Altitude Weapons System, which combines the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM with a Humvee all-terrain vehicle.
The Israeli missile company proposes mounting a missile launcher on the back of a vehicle such as the Humvee with the missile receiving data from any suitable cueing device - radar or electro-optical - via a datalink that will be integral with the launcher.
For lock-on-after-launch firings the datalink will also be used to update the missile in flight. Short-range lock-on-before-launch operations will also be possible.
The launcher will carry four missiles, which have a 20km (11nm) range, and be capable of almost 360° operation, says Rafael. The company adds that the missile's range can be extended by attaching additional boosters to the missile.
Rafael says it will take two years from receiving an order to delivering an operational system and predicts a $100-200 million market, mainly in Asia and Latin America.
Derby is equipped with an MBT-developed radar seeker and has a look-down capability. Rafael says the seeker gives Derby a capability in high clutter environments.
Derby, in Israeli air force service for more than 10 years, and based on the infrared-guided Python 4, was only formally unveiled last year.
Source: Flight International