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At a glance
Python (missile)larger figure on 0 of 3
R-40 (missile)larger figure on 3 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Length
Single source3.1 metres (10 feet )[source]
IR guided
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Python (missile) | R-40 (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Mach 4[source] | Mach 2.2-4.5[source] |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile[source] | Long-range air-to-air missile[source] |
| Place of origin | Israel[source] | Soviet Union[source] |
| Used by | See operators[source] | Soviet Union , Syria , Iraq |
radar guided
Single source6.29 m (20 ft 8 in)(radar guided) - 5.91 m (19 ft 5 in) (IR guided)[source]
Warhead weight
Single source38–100 kg (84–220 lb)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Wars | Yom Kippur War Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War 2006 Lebanon War[source] | Iran–Iraq War , Gulf War , Operation Southern Watch[source] |
|---|
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems[source] | Vympel[source] |
|---|
| Unit cost | Shafrir series: Shafrir-1: US$20,000[source] | — |
|---|
| Produced | Shafrir series: 1961–1983 Python series: 1980–present[source] | 1960s–1995[source] |
|---|
| Warhead | 11 kg (24 lb 4 oz)[source] | Blast fragmentation[source] |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | proximity[source] | Radar and active laser fuzes[source] |
|---|
| Engine | solid fuel rocket motor[source] | Solid-propellant rocket motor[source] |
|---|
| Flight altitude | N/A[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | infrared homing + 320×240 pixel dual waveband electro-optical imaging seeker, lock on after launch, with infrared counter-counter-measures (IRCCM)[source] | Inverse monopulse Semi-active radar homing (R-40RD) Infrared homing (R-40TD)[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | Aircraft: BAE Sea Harrier CASA C-101 Aviojet F-4E Kurnass 2000 F-5E/F Tiger-II McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Dassault Mirage III Dassault Mirage 5 Dassault Mirage 2000 Eurofighter Typhoon IAI Nesher/Dagger/Finder IAI Kfir HAL Tejas KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Leonardo M-346FA Master Saab JAS 39 Gripen Sukhoi Su-30MKI Su-25KM Scorpion[source] | MiG-25 , MiG-31[source] |
|---|
| In service | — | 1970–present[source] |
|---|
| Designer | — | OKB-4 MR Bisnovatyi[source] |
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| Designed | — | 1959[source] |
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| Variants | — | R-40R / R-40T, R-40RD / R-40TD, R-40RD1 / R-40TD1 (radar and IR models)[source] |
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| Reported operators |
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