Rafael to supply SPYDER SAM systems to Indian Air Force

Indian ministry of defence has confirmed that it has signed a contract with Rafael, Israel for the supply of the SPYDER MR (LLQRM) for the Indian Air Force. This contract would involve the supply of 18 SPYDER systems, with deliveries running through early 2011 to August 2012. The supply is regarded as part of the country's attempt to upgrade its badly outdated anti-aircraft and missile defences, which still rely on antiquated Soviet era OSA-AKM [SA-8 Gecko] and ZRK-BD Strela-10M [SA-13 Gopher] SAM systems.

The procurement of the system was finally approved by the Defence Acquisitions Council in July 2008 and a contract for the supply of 18 systems has now been signed. SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction, surface-to-air missile (LLQRM) system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones and precision-guided munitions. The system provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas. The SPYDER-SR (short range) system has 360° engagement capability and the missiles can be launched from the full-readiness state in less than five seconds post target confirmation. The kill range is specified as being less than 1km to more than 15km. The altitudes range from a minimum of 20m to a maximum of 9,000m. The system is capable of multi-target simultaneous engagement and also single, multiple and ripple firing, by day and night and in all weathers. Rafael is developing a medium-range version, SPYDER-MR, which has a range 50km at altitudes from 20m to 16km. SPYDER-MR carries eight missiles while SPYDER-SR has four. SPYDER-MR also has new IAI/Elta MF-STAR surveillance radar.

Spyder-SR/MR System Configuration The Spyder-SR/MR system is an innovatative combination of advanced C4I, high performance radar and Rafael’s state-of-theart missiles. Most of the systems elements are the same in both versions and a standard Spyder battery includes:

• Truck-mounted command andcontrol unit (CCU) - (radar sensorunit is mounted on the CCU inSpyder-SR)
• Truck mounted Radar SensorUnit (RSU) (Spyder-MR)
• Toplite EO sensor
• Missile firing units (MFU) with communication equipment
• Missile supply vehicle (MSV)
• Field service vehicle (FSV)

The main components of the SPYDER system are the truck-mounted command and control unit, the missile firing unit with Python 5 and Derby missiles, a field service vehicle and missile supply vehicle. The system can launch missiles in two modes of operation: lock on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch (LOAL). A typical SPYDER squadron consists of one mobile command and control unit (CCU) and four mobile firing units (MFU). The mobile CCU is equipped with a surveillance radar and two operator stations with a radio datalink between the CCU and the four MFUs. The CCU combines data from the local surveillance radar and from upper tier command and control centres up to 100km away. There is also provision for receiving air situation pictures (ASP) from other datalinks. The VHF/UHF interference-free communication system is for internal squadron communication and to upper tier command. If the target is within acquisition range the missile is launched in LOBL mode, and in the LOAL mode if the target is beyond seeker acquisition range.

Both the Derby and the Python 5 missiles can operate in LOBL and LOAL modes and deploy warheads that blast on impact or by proximity fuse. The Elta EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar can simultaneously track up to 60 targets. The radar has 360° operation and all-weather day and night capability. The radar includes advanced electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM) for operation in dense hostile electronic warfare environments.

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