SPYDER

SPYDER
A missile firing unit (MFU) of the SPYDER-SR system
Type	Short and medium range air defence system
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Russo-Georgian War (unconfirmed)
Production history
Designer	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Israel Aerospace Industries
Manufacturer	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Produced	2005–present
Variants	SPYDER-SR SPYDER-MR
Specifications (SPYDER-SR)
Weight	105 kg (231 lb) (Python-5) 118 kg (260 lb) (Derby)
Length	3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) (Python-5) 3.62 m (11 ft 11 in) (Derby)
Diameter	160 mm (6.3 in) (both)
Warhead	11 kg (24 lb) (Python-5) 23 kg (51 lb) (Derby)
Detonation mechanism	Active laser and electromagnetic proximity fuse with back-up impact fuse
Main armament	×4 Python-5 or Derby missiles in any combination per MFU
Wingspan	640 mm (2 ft 1 in) (both)
Operational range	1–15 km (0.62–9.32 mi)
Flight altitude	20–9,000 m (66–29,528 ft)
Speed	Mach 4
Guidance system	Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging (Python-5) Active radar homing (Derby)
Launch platform	Tatra truck Mercedes-Benz Actros truck MAN TGS truck Scania P-series truck Dongfeng truck

The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Rafael is the prime contractor and IAI is the major subcontractor for the SPYDER program. This system achieved a notable milestone in 2005 when missiles were fired against test targets in Shdema, Israel and scored direct hits. Since then, it has been showcased in multiple military exhibitions throughout the world.

The SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas. The system is fitted atop a Tatra truck, a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, a MAN TGS truck, Scania P-series truck, or a Dongfeng truck. It implements the Python-5 and Derby missiles of the same company. The SPYDER launcher is designed to fire Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles which share full commonality with the air-to-air missiles. There are two variants of the SPYDER: the SPYDER-SR (short range) and the SPYDER-MR (medium range). Both systems are quick reaction, all weather, network-centric, multi-launchers, and self-propelled. A typical battery consists one central command and control unit, six missile firing units, and a resupply vehicle. The SPYDER-SR uses the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar while the SPYDER-MR incorporates the EL/M-2084 MMR radar. The latter is the same radar used by the Iron Dome system currently in service with the Israel Defense Forces.

Current operators of the SPYDER missiles system include India and Singapore. Peru's order for the SPYDER was pending as of 2012. There are reports that claim that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War but these allegations and assumptions have never been verified.