fifth-generation short range, air-to-air missile

A-Darter, also known as V3E Agile Darter, is a fifth-generation short range, air-to-air

missile (SRAAM) developed in South Africa.

A-Darter is a leading wingtip fifth-generation Imaging Infrared (IIR) SRAAM air-to-air

missile system. It has a lock-on after launch and memory tracking with the latest

processing capabilities.

Long-range intercepts beyond IR detection range are also possible with the lock-on

after launch capability of the A-Darter.

The A-Darter missile can be integrated on the latest and older generation aircraft

platforms. It has already been integrated on the JAS-39 Gripen.

The A-Darter is 2.98m (9.78ft) long and 0.16m (0.52ft) in diameter. It has four fixed

delta control fins at the rear and two strakes along the sides. The missile weighs

90kg.

It carries a high explosive (HE) warhead and has a range of ten kilometers.

The missile has a track rate of 120°/s and a seeker angle of 180° for countermeasure

resistance.

The absence of aluminum powder from the motor propellant inhibits production of a

smoke trail, which means no visual warning for enemy aircraft.

A-Darter is a leading wingtip mounted fifth-generation Imaging Infrared (IIR) SRAAM

that will enhance your platform's lethality.

High agility (thrust vector controlled) to handle the closest of close combats.

A two-colour thermal imaging seeker with high sensitivity and a multi-mode ECCM

suite.

Advanced digital processing capability ensures improved performance in terms of

image detection, false target rejection, ECCM, guidance and control.

A-Darter is expected to be more economical than the Infra Red Imaging System Tail /

Thrust Vector-Controlled SRAAM (IRIS-T).

Several flight tests were conducted on Gripen at missile angles of 12G and about

13,700m altitude.

The missile development programme is expected to have generated 200 technical

jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs. It is expected to have an export market of ZAR2bn

($257m).

The missile will enter service with the South African Air Force (SAAF) and Brazilian

Air Force (FAB) in 2014.

The proposed future versions of the A-Darter include the A-Darter Mk 2, A-Darter Mk

3, A-Darter Light, A-Darter anti-shipping missile (ASM) and A-Darter Extended

Range.

Denel Dynamics is also developing a new radar-guided, beyond-visual-range AAM

(BVRAAM) missile called B-Darter.

A surface-to-air missile (SAM) version of the A-Darter AAM is expected to be

developed for the Brazilian Army.

The SAM version of A-Darter will, however, need a launcher system and additional

booster.

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/a-darter-air-

to-air-missile/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-Darter

http://www.deneldynamics.co.za/products/missiles/air-to-

air-missiles/a-darter