Editing Python (missile) (section)

==Design and development==
[[File:PythonGenerHe.png|thumb|left|Listed from top to bottom: Shafrir-1, Shafrir-2, Python-3, Python-4, Python-5.]]

In the 1950s, the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) submitted requirements for a domestically made air-to-air missile, to promote domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on imports. Rafael Armament Development Authority was contracted to develop the ''Shafrir'' ({{langx|he|שפריר}}, loosely translated as [[Dragonfly]], a male form of [[inflection]] for [[Damselfly]], שפרירית) in 1959. The missile entered operational status with Israeli [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage jets]] in 1963, but the IAF was unhappy with its performance and no air combat kills were achieved with it during the [[Six-Day War]], kills being made with guns instead. The improved Shafrir-2 was soon introduced in 1971, and it proved to be one of the most successful air-to-air missiles ever made. During the 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]], the IAF launched 176 Shafrir-2 missiles, destroying 89 enemy aircraft.<ref name="python2">{{cite web |url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python2.html |title=Shafrir-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914040916/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python2.html |archive-date=2008-09-14 |website=www.Israeli-Weapons.com |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Shafrir-2 was exported along with Israeli-made aircraft to [[South America]]n countries.

After the Shafrir-2, the new missiles made by Rafael were given the western name of '''Python'''. This is why the next missile built by Rafael in early 1970s was named Python-3, but there is no Python-1 or Python-2 (they were Shafrir-1, Shafrir-2). The Python-3 has improved range and [[all-aspect]] attack ability, it proved itself before and during the [[1982 Lebanon War]], destroying 35 enemy aircraft. The [[China|People's Republic of China]] was impressed with its performance and license-built the Python-3 as the [[PL-8 (missile)|PiLi-8 (PL-8) AAM]].<ref name="SINOD">{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/weapon/pl8.asp|title=PiLi-8 Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile|date=12 October 2008|publisher=SinoDefence.com|access-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123130704/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/weapon/pl8.asp|archive-date=23 January 2012}}</ref>

Further improvements to the Python-3 led to the development of Python-4 in mid-1980s, which added the option for helmet-sight guidance.<ref name="python4">{{cite web |url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python4.html |title=Python-4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721190258/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python4.html |archive-date=2006-07-21 |website=www.Israeli-Weapons.com}}</ref> In the 1990s Rafael started development on the Python-5 AAM, which was equipped with an advanced electro-optical imaging seeker with lock-on after-launch ability.<ref name="python5">{{cite web |url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python5.html |title=Python-5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715230748/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python5.html |archive-date=2006-07-15 |url-status=dead |website=www.Israeli-Weapons.com}}</ref> The new missile was show-cased in 2003 [[Paris Air Show]], and intended for service with IAF the [[F-15I|F-15I Ra'am]] ("Thunder") and the [[F-16C/D Fighting Falcon|F-16I Sufa]] ("Storm").

The Python-5 is said to have full sphere launch ability or is an all-aspect missile, meaning it can be launched at a target regardless of the target's location relative to the direction of the launching aircraft. It can lock onto targets after launch, even when they are up to 100 degrees off the [[gun harmonisation|boresight]] of the launching aircraft.