Editing Python (missile) (section)

{{Short description|Israeli short-range air-to-air missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile         = yes
| name               = Rafael PYTHON
| image              = Python5-missile001.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = The newest and the oldest member of the Python family of AAM for comparisons, Python-5 (displayed lower-front) and Shafrir-1 (upper-back).
| origin             = Israel<!-- For weapons infobox, please do not change to flag icon such as {{ISR}}. -->
| type               = [[Air-to-air missile#Short-range air-to-air missile|Short-range air-to-air missile]]
| used_by            = [[#Operators|See ''operators'']]
| manufacturer       = [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems]]
| unit_cost          = Shafrir series: Shafrir-1: {{US$|20,000}}
| propellant         = 
| production_date    = * Shafrir series: 1961–1983
* Python series: 1980–present
| service            = 
| engine             = solid fuel rocket motor
| engine_power       = 
| weight             = {{Convert|103.6|kg|lboz|abbr=off|lk=on}}
| length             = {{Convert|3.1|m|abbr=off|lk=on}}
| height             = 
| diameter           = {{Convert|160|mm|abbr=off|lk=on}}
| wingspan           = {{Convert|640|mm|abbr=on}}
| speed              = Mach 4
| vehicle_range      = >{{Convert|20|km|abbr=off|lk=on}}
| ceiling            = 
| altitude           = N/A
| filling            = {{Convert|11|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}
| guidance           = [[infrared homing]] + 320×240 pixel dual waveband electro-optical imaging seeker, lock on after launch, with infrared counter-counter-measures (IRCCM)
| detonation         = proximity
| launch_platform    = Aircraft:
[[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|BAE Sea Harrier]]<br />[[CASA C-101|CASA C-101 Aviojet]]<br />[[List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants|F-4E ''Kurnass 2000'']]<br />[[Northrop F-5#Upgrades|F-5E/F Tiger-II]]<br />[[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]<br />[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]]<ref name="f-16.net">[http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/2482/ Airframe Details for F-16 #87-1672]. F-16.net. Retrieved on 2013-07-17.</ref><br />[[Dassault Mirage III]]<br />[[Dassault Mirage 5]]<br />[[Dassault Mirage 2000]]<br />[[Eurofighter Typhoon]]<ref name="rafael.co.il">https://www.rafael.co.il/system/i-derby-er/</ref><br />[[IAI Nesher|IAI Nesher/Dagger/Finder]]<br />[[IAI Kfir]]<br />[[HAL Tejas]]<br />[[KAI T-50 Golden Eagle]]<ref name="rafael.co.il">https://www.rafael.co.il/system/i-derby-er/</ref><br />[[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master|Leonardo M-346FA Master]]<ref name="rafael.co.il">https://www.rafael.co.il/system/i-derby-er/</ref><br />[[Saab JAS 39 Gripen]]<ref name="saabgroup.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.saabgroup.com/Air/Gripen-Fighter-System/Gripen-Para-o-Brasil/O-Caca-Gripen-NG/ |title=Gripen for Brazil – The Fighter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331001718/http://www.saabgroup.com/Air/Gripen-Fighter-System/Gripen-Para-o-Brasil/O-Caca-Gripen-NG/ |archive-date=2013-03-31 |website=Saabgroup.com}}</ref><br />[[Sukhoi Su-30MKI]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}<br />[[Sukhoi Su-25#Su-25KM|Su-25KM ''Scorpion'']]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=9&lang=en |title=Fighter SU-25KM (Scorpion) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527062053/http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=9&lang=en |archive-date=2016-05-27 |url-status=dead |website=Geo-army.ge}}</ref>
}}

The Rafael '''Python''' (stylized all [[Letter case|uppercase]]; '''''פיתון''''') is a family of [[air-to-air missile]]s (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturer [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems]], formerly RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. Originally starting with the ''Shafrir'' ({{langx|he|שפריר}}, loosely translated as a dome, or a protective cloak – but also similar sounding to [[Dragonfly]], a male form of [[inflection]] for [[Damselfly]] (שפירית)) series, the ''Shafrir-1'' missile was developed in 1959, followed by the ''Shafrir-2'' in early 1970s. Subsequently, the missiles were given the western name of "''Python''" by the parent company for export purposes, starting with the ''Python-3'' in 1978. Since then, it has been further developed and evolved into the ''Python-4'', ''Python-5'', ''Derby'' and also, the [[SPYDER]], an advanced ground-based air-defence system. Currently, the missiles are in service with the armed forces of over fifteen countries from around the world.