Editing Python (missile) (section)

==Variants==
===Shafrir-1===
The '''Shafrir-1''' was developed in 1959–1964 to fulfill IAF's requirement for a domestic air-to-air missile. It was intended to build the domestic defense industry's abilities, and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The fear of foreign dependence was later proven when France banned arms export to Israel.

The Shafrir-1 was intended for use on French-built [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] jets. The first testing took place in France in 1963. However the missile's performance was so poor that work immediately started on the next improved version, the Shafrir-2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python1.html |title=Shafrir 1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922153739/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/python/Python1.html |archive-date=2008-09-22 |website=www.Israeli-Weapons.com}}</ref>

*Length: {{cvt|250|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Span: {{cvt|55|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{cvt|14|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Weight: {{cvt|65|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Guidance: IR
*Warhead: {{cvt|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}} blast explosive, later {{cvt|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Range: {{cvt|5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
*Speed: Mach 1.7

===Shafrir-2===
The Shafrir-2 was credited with 89 kills in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.<ref name="python2"/> During its whole service life, it is credited with a total of 106 kills.

*Length: {{cvt|250|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Span: {{cvt|55|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{cvt|15|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Weight: {{cvt|93|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Guidance: IR
*Warhead: {{cvt|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Range: {{cvt|5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
*Speed: Mach 2.1

===Python-3===
[[File:Rafael Python 3 3.jpg|thumb|Python 3 missile under the wing of an Israeli F-15 Eagle.]]

The Python-3 is a much-improved AAM with all-aspect attack ability, higher speed, range, and performance. It performed well before and during the 1982 Lebanon War, scoring 35 (other sources claim 50) kills.<ref name="python5"/>

China's [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|PLAAF]] was quite impressed with this missile, and paid for licensed production as the [[PL-8 (missile)|PL-8 AAM]] in the 1980s.<ref name="SINOD"/> The program code named "Number 8 Project" (八号工程) and formally started on September 15, 1983. From March 1988 to April 1989, technology transfer to China was complete while license assembly and license built parts continued, and by the spring of 1989, the complete domestic Chinese built missile received state certification. The major supplier of the missile was Xi'an Eastern Machinery Factory (西安东方机械厂) located at [[Xi'an]], and China is also reported to have developed a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) system for the PL-8.<ref name="SINOD"/>

*Length: {{cvt|295|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Span: {{cvt|80|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{cvt|16|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Weight: {{cvt|120|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Guidance: IR
*Warhead: {{cvt|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, active proximity fuse
*Range: {{cvt|15|km|mi|abbr=on}}
*Speed: Mach 3.5

===Python-4===
[[File:Rafael Python 4.jpg|thumb|A Python 4 missile under the wing F-15D Baz '957']]

The Python-4 is a 4th generation AAM with all-aspect attack ability, and integration with a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) system.<ref name="python4"/> It entered service in the 1990s, and like its predecessor Python-3, it is integrated with the [[Elbit Systems]] DASH ([[helmet mounted display#Display And Sight Helmet (DASH)|Display And Sight Helmet]]) HMS system for Israeli F-15s and F-16s, Chilean F-16s (MLU and C/D block 50/52 plus), F-5E/F Tiger III, South American Kfirs and the SAAB JAS 39 Gripen. The missile's seeker is reported to use dual band technology array similar to that of US [[FIM-92 Stinger]] ([[infrared homing]] and ultraviolet), with [[IRCCM]] (IR ECCM) ability to reduce background IR radiation to reduce the effectiveness of enemy flares.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sci.fi/~fta/python4.html |title=Fourth Generation AAMs – The Rafael Python 4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925143819/http://www.sci.fi/~fta/python4.html |archive-date=2006-09-25 |publisher=Australian Aviation |author=Carlo Kopp |date=April 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*Length: {{cvt|300|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Span: {{cvt|50|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{cvt|16|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Weight: {{cvt|120|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Guidance: IR
*Warhead: {{cvt|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, [[active laser]] proximity fuse with back-up impact fuse
*Range: {{cvt|15|km|mi|abbr=on}}
*Speed: Mach 3.5 or more

===Python-5===
[[File:Python5 missile.jpg|thumb|Python-5, the latest member in the Python family of AAMs]]
[[File:HAL Tejas (LSP-07) firing Python-5 missile better visibility.png|alt=A Python-5 AAM being fired from Indian Air Force HAL Tejas fighter during certification tests|thumb|A Python-5 AAM being fired from Indian Air Force [[HAL Tejas]] fighter]]
The Python-5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/9/1189.pdf |title=Python-5 Full Sphere IR Air-to-Air or Surface-to-Air Missile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729222556/http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/9/1189.pdf |archive-date=2016-07-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Python-5 |url=https://www.rafael.co.il/system/python5/ |access-date= |website=www.rafael.co.il}}</ref> is currently the most capable visual range [[air-to-air missile]] in Israel's inventory. As a short range air-to-air missiles, it is capable of "lock-on after launch" (LOAL), and has full-sphere/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced seeker which includes an [[electro-optical]] and [[imaging infrared]] homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase, and a complex design utilizing a total of eighteen aerodynamic surfaces.<ref name="python5"/> The Python-5 was first used in combat during the [[2006 Lebanon War]], when it was used by F-16 Fighting Falcons to destroy two Iranian-made [[Ghods Ababil|Ababil UAVs]] used by the [[Hezbollah]].<ref name="f-16.net"/>
On 13 May 2021, an Israeli F-16 shot down a Hamas operated Shahed suicide drone with a Python-5 air-to-air missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/05/17/iron-dome-intercepts-drone-during-combat-for-first-time-says-israeli-military/ |title=Iron Dome intercepts drone during combat for first time, says Israeli military |date=17 May 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210620002841/https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/05/17/iron-dome-intercepts-drone-during-combat-for-first-time-says-israeli-military/ |archive-date=2021-06-20 |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/footage-shows-idf-fighter-jet-shooting-down-suicide-drone-launched-from-gaza/|title = Footage shows IDF fighter jet shooting down 'suicide drone' launched from Gaza|website = [[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40601/palestinian-militants-are-now-launching-suicide-drones-at-israel|title=Palestinian Militants Are Now Launching Suicide Drones At Israel|first=Joseph|last=Trevithick|date=May 13, 2021|website=The Drive}}</ref>

*Length: {{cvt|310|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Span: {{cvt|64|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{cvt|16|cm|in|abbr=on}}
*Weight: {{cvt|105|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Guidance: IR + electro-optical imaging
*Warhead: {{cvt|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
*Range: > {{cvt|20|km|mi|abbr=on}}
*Speed: Mach 4