Sky Spear LRAAM

[Forest Green]

Rafael Debuts the Sky Spear Long Range AAM at the Paris Airshow 2023 - Defense Update:

Rafael is showing a new long-range air/air missile called SkySpear. 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.

defense-update.com

 

[icyplanetnhc (Steve)]

Visually, this missile very much resembles the Rafael/Raytheon SkyCeptor (or Stunner), with the exception of the seeker and the lack of first-stage booster.

https://www.rafael.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/SkyCeptor.pdf

 

[stealthflanker]

How long is this long range AAM tho in terms of range.

 

[Scott Kenny]

How long is this long range AAM tho in terms of range.

"Rafael’s sources did not specify the range but said it significantly exceeds the I-Derby ER, which is Rafael’s longest-range AAM."

Wiki says that means well over 100km.

Interesting that they made it a triple pulse engine (boost-sustain-endgame), but is RF-only.

 

[Forest Green]

Interesting that they made it a triple pulse engine (boost-sustain-endgame), but is RF-only.

But if it's single stage there's no guaranteeing that the end game will be burning during the end game. It may have finished, or it may not have started.

 

[TomS]

But if it's single stage there's no guaranteeing that the end game will be burning during the end game. It may have finished, or it may not have started.

The seeker will know when the endgame starts and can fire that third pulse when needed.

 

[Forest Green]

The seeker will know when the endgame starts and can fire that third pulse when needed.

Doesn't the third pulse automatically takeover when the 2nd ends since this is presumably solid propellant and a single stage, unless there's some kind of dividing wall between the stages?

 

[TomS]

The seeker will know when the endgame starts and can fire that third pulse when needed.

Doesn't the third pulse automatically takeover when the 2nd ends since this is presumably solid propellant and a single stage, unless there's some kind of dividing wall between the stages?

That's how it's done -- a thin film between the pulses that can prevent one from igniting the next until a specific trigger is applied.

For example, Raytheon has a patent for a kind of propellant that is electrically initiated and can be used as a separator between rocket motor pulses.

https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2020-3930

 

[kqcke for you]

Also the Sky Spear is said to be smaller. Not only smaller control surfaces but its also only 3.5m long

 

[Ainen]

Also the Sky Spear is said to be smaller. Not only smaller control surfaces but its also only 3.5m long

if it is this small, i guess they're aiming at IAF once again(and maybe at LIFTs all over the world)
Sounds as a great bargain for all 6-t class light fighters around the world.

 

[kqcke for you]

Yeah and they would be ready for integration into F-35. My guess that range wise it is around Amraam range

 

[kqcke for you]

So as i read myself trought it again and based on what we know this are the stats it has:
Length 3.5m
Diameter 16cm
Span under 64cm
Weight less then 118kg (i guess somewhere between 100 and 110kg)
Guidance active seeker (probaly AESA)
Warhead ~20kg (23kg has i derby)
Range over 30 nautical miles and probaly more than 100km (160km range)
Speed somewhere around mach 4

Many this are based on i derby as i believe it is based on it (would make sense)

 

[kqcke for you]

So after looking around Skyspear is 180mm in diameter instead of 160mm if this site is to be trusted.

Rafael Reveals New Air-to-Air Missile, Seeks Foreign Partner | Aviation Week Network

Israeli arms-maker Rafael is seeking a foreign partner to help pay for development of a new long-range, air-to-air missile, called the Sky Spear.

aviationweek.com

 

[Maro.Kyo]

if it is this small, i guess they're aiming at IAF once again(and maybe at LIFTs all over the world)
Sounds as a great bargain for all 6-t class light fighters around the world.

Doubt since they have Astra now.

 

[Scott Kenny]

So after looking around Skyspear is 180mm in diameter instead of 160mm if this site is to be trusted.

Rafael Reveals New Air-to-Air Missile, Seeks Foreign Partner | Aviation Week Network

Israeli arms-maker Rafael is seeking a foreign partner to help pay for development of a new long-range, air-to-air missile, called the Sky Spear.

aviationweek.com

So Sparrow sized.

 

[kqcke for you]

No more like a smaller amraam. Probaly smaller Control surfaces, it is shorter 0,15m and a little thicker Diameter of 180mm instead of 178mm.

 

[Ronny]

will it fit f-35

 

[kqcke for you]

Yes?

 

[FighterJock]

Don't know about Sky Spear fitting the F-35A weapons bay, depends on the size of the front fins on the missile.

 

[kqcke for you]

Atleast the company is waiting for someone paying for the integration If the american allow it.
Edit:

PAS 2023 - Rafael evolves its airborne weaponry and introduces a new air-to-air 6th generation missile - EDR Magazine

A 6th generation air-to-air missile being was unveiled by Rafael at the 2023 Paris Air Show.

www.edrmagazine.eu

"According to the Haifa-based company the Sky Spear can be fitted to any western aircraft; should a customer require it for the F-35 a slight modification should be made, once the US would authorise its integration and following technical negotiations with Lockheed Martin. The new missile is slightly shorter than the I-Derby long range weapon, hence around 3.5 metres, its control surfaces also being smaller."

I guess that means clipped control surfaces?

 

[FighterJock]

Sounds like they have been looking at the latest AIM-120 AMRAAM then by the looks of things, if they are going to do clipped control surfaces.

 

[kqcke for you]

Probaly mutch smaller Clip (i think) but i can't say mutch to it as i can't even say If the 180mm are right.