| 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 |
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Produced | 2005–present |
| Variants | SPYDER-SR SPYDER-MR, SPYDER LR (counter TBM) |
| Specifications (SPYDER-SR) | |
| Mass | 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) |
| Wingspan | 640 mm (2 ft 1 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 |
Operational range | Python-5: 20 km (12 mi) Derby: 50 km (31 mi)[1] |
| Flight altitude | Python-5: 9,000 m (30,000 ft) Derby: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)[1] |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4 |
Guidance system | Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging (Python-5) Active radar homing (Derby) |
Launch platform | Tatra 817 truck Mercedes-Benz Actros truck RMMV HX truck MAN TGS truck Scania P-series truck Dongfeng truck TELAR |
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, cruise missiles 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, Dongfeng truck, or a TELAR. 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.