Brazil considering investing in South African missile development

Brazil considering investing in South African missile development
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Brazilian Air Force Commander Air-Lieu-tenant-Brigadier (equivalent to South African Air Force General) Luis Carlos da Silva Bueno has revealed that Brazil and South Africa are currently undertaking a study on cooperating in the development of the A-Darter air-to-air missile (AAM).
The A-Darter is a fifth-generation infrared homing AAM being developed by Denel Aero-space Systems, previously Kentron, part of the State-owned Denel defence industrial group.

Bueno told Brazilian defence journalists that, if the project is approved, Brazil could invest $40-million in the development of the A-Darter, at least initially; in conversation, Bueno indicated that Brazilian investment in the A-Darter could reach some $100-million.

Brazilian industry would be involved in the final development of the missile and in its manu-facture; technology transfer from Denel would be part of any deal.

The ultimate result for the Brazilians would be the achievement of total national independence in the AAM development and production cycle.

South Africa, of course, would benefit from the resources invested in the project by Brazil and from the production orders for the Brazilian Air Force (and probably navy, which has its own fighter squadron for operations from its aircraft carrier).

The A-Darter has a length of 2 980 mm, a diameter of 166 mm, a wingspan of 488 mm and a mass of 89 kg.

The missile has a highly-sensitive thermal-imaging sensor, which can be cued (pointed in the direction of the target) before launch, either by the aircraft’s radar or by a helmet-mounted sight system.

However, the missile can also use its own seeker head to lock on to a target before launch, if required (this means that the launch aircraft does not have to use its radar, thereby maintaining electronic silence).

The thermal imager can rotate over large angles, allowing the A-Darter to be launched against targets that are at considerable angles to the course of the fighter – what is called ‘high off-boresight’ launches.

It is highly manoeuvreable for short-range combat, but its low-drag airframe gives it a longer range than usual for such missiles.

The A-Darter also has a ‘memory’ capability, meaning that it can be launched against a target outside the range of its seeker head – it will then fly a course provided to it by the aircraft’s radar before launch, to bring it within seeker range of the target; the seeker will then lock on to the target and guide the missile to it.

Bueno also revealed that consideration of Denel’s R-Darter beyond visual range AAM (BVRAAM) had advanced to the stage at which negotiations on integrating the weapon on the Brazilian Air Force’s modernised F-5M fighters were taking place between Embraer, Elbit and Rafael.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Israeli electronics company Elbit are jointly responsible for the F-5M programme; these com- panies would thus play an essential role in inte-grating the R-Darter on to the F-5M.

The inclusion of Rafael is most interesting; originally, it was assumed that the Israeli company would offer its similar Derby BVRAAM in competition to the R-Darter.

It has long been believed by overseas specialists, but never confirmed, that the Derby and R-Darter are the same weapon, jointly developed by Rafael and Denel, with marketing agreements dividing the world between the two countries.

If this is true, Brazil would, it seems, be in Denel’s marketing zone, and Rafael seems to be acting in support of the South African company.

This is, presumably, because Rafael has experience in integrating its Derby BVRAAM with Elbit avionics.

That the companies involved in the F-5M programme are now in negotiation with regard to integrating the R-Darter on to the fighter is cause for optimism, as it suggests that the South African missile is close to receiving an order from Brazil

From the latest Engineering News.