Israeli Defence Major, Rafael has Unveiled its 6th generation Long range AAM (Air to Air Missile) in Paris Airshow 2023. The missile uses a double fin design at the tail and four canards at the front; a similar design was used in the main segment of the ground-to-air Stunner interceptor.
This design offers greater manoeuvrability and performance across the flight and engagement envelope when coupled with a three-pulse rocket motor (supporting the boost, sustain, and endgame pulses).
Although Rafael’s sources did not provide a range estimate, they claimed that it greatly outperformed Rafael’s longest-range AAM, the I-Derby ER.
The RF seeker on the SkySpear missile is yet another striking component. SkySpear simply employs an RF seeker as opposed to the dual seekers used by Stunner. Rafael carried out tradeoff analyses to demonstrate that the improved seeker could provide the necessary performance with a single seeker at the extended range and under contested electronic warfare environments.
After presenting the SkySpear to a number of potential clients which includes INDIA as well, Rafael will move forward with the full-scale development of this new missile.
As evidenced by the European Meteor from MBDA, the Vympel R-37 (RVV-BD) from Russia, and Raytheon’s most recent AIM-120D AMRAAM derivatives, SkySpear solves the demand for long-range intercepts. SkySpear relies on more effective rocket propulsion to provide the requisite range and manoeuvrability, in contrast to the ramjet propulsion the Meteor employs to meet range performance.
SkySpear is slightly shorter than the I-DerbyER, which means it may be fitting weapon bays of 5th Gen fighters limiting the use of other missiles. The new RF seeker technology allows for early lock-on, a more accurate end game, and a substantial leap in Electronic Warfare immunity.
