Friday 13th: lucky for A-Darter

Denel's A-Darter agile air-toair missile began flight tests on 13 February, paralleling ongoing seeker head trials. The first live trials were undertaken at Denel's OTB (Overberg) test range, and successfully evaluated the missile's manoeuvrability and high g-force characteristics. The tests also validated the missile's actual specification against predictions based on simulations.

A-Darter is a wingless missile with a two-colour imaging infra-red seeker and a boost-sustain rocket motor. Thrust-vectoring provides high-g manoeuvring capability. Launch weight is reported as 89kg.

Full-scale development of A-Darter has been ongoing since 2007, although the key technologies were established the previous year. In April 2007, a joint funding co-operation with Brazil was formally announced at the LAAD exhibition. The programme is managed by a joint Brazilian-South African Air Force team, along with the South African procurement agency Armscor.

Brazil aims to place A-Darter on its upgraded Northrop F-5M fighters, replacing the Mectron MAA-1 Piranha missile. It is also scheduled to be integrated with Brazil's new FX2 fighter, for which the Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen and Boeing Super Hornet are currently being evaluated. The Brazilian Navy's A-4s, which currently employ the AIM-9 Sidewinder, are also possible candidates for the A-Darter.

In South Africa, the A-Darter has been selected for fielding on the Saab Gripen. In May last year, the South African National Defence Force selected the Diehl-BGT Defence IRIS-T to provide an interim capability for the Gripens until the A-Darter is available.

Source: Janes News Briefs