The first two generations – the Shafrir 1& Shafrir 2 had a performance similar to the American AIM-9, which was the benchmark in the heat seeking air-to-air missiles industry.
The advantage of these missiles was the fact that they were “made in Israel ”.
The Shafrir 1 missile was a first attempt by Rafael to develop a world recognized missile and was the entry ticket for the world's missile industry.
TheShafrir 2, on the other hand, had an immense success as it had shot down near 100 aircrafts in the Yom Kippur War (1973). Only few, if any missiles at all, are credited to such an achievement.
Python 3, the third generation of Rafael's air-to-air missiles had created a real revolution in the IAF's air combat capabilities. Entering service in 1978, this missile out-performed the American Sidewinder top model
s. Whereas the Shafrir missiles ‘firing envelope' was limited to rear sector only, the Python 3 enabled the pilot to fire at angles which were considered not possible at the time, including head to head encounters. The Python 3 had changed forever the way air combats were taught and done in the IAF.
In the period before the Lebanon War in 1982 and within it, the Python 3 had credited to itself 35 kills of enemy aircrafts. In 1996, the missile obtained an improved version, which offered better performance, and protected its title for “best air-to-air missile in the world”.
Although Python 3 showed a great achievement in missile development, engineers at Rafael were already developing the next generation - Python 4.
The main feature of this outstanding missile was to enable the pilot to shoot down any target in the front hemisphere of the aircraft, regardless of its relative position. The missile has an integrated helmet-sight, designed by Elbit Systems, which enables the pilot to shoot down whatever he sees thru the helmet.
Once an enemy aircraft falls into that front hemisphere, the pilot literally acquires the target with its eyes; The missile's head seeker then locks in, and the target is shot down. You saw it – you shot it.
The missile gives the pilot a tactical advantage over its enemies as it frees him from navigating to a hard firing position. The missile's philosophy is – this is your firing position, I'll handle the maneuvering… this creates an ironic situation, where a dynamically inferior aircraft can be more dangerous to modern ones.
A bombs loaded aircraft doesn't have to release its munitions in case of an air combat, or drop its fuel tanks in order to maintain air-superiority. This has major strategic implications such as greater chances to complete the mission, or reducing the number of escort interceptors.
Even today, the performance of the Python 4 is considered unique. At these days a number of missile models is developed in America and Europe which are suppose to equal their performance to the Israeli missile. Yet the Python 4 is operational near 10 years now, and preserve the IAF's qualitative edge.
In the years the Python 4 was operational, engineers at Rafael, were already designing and developing the next thing – the Python 5. This missile really does the impossible - it enables a full sphere launch capability. In other words, the pilot can shoot down any plane, at any angle. Even targets which are behind the launching aircraft. It is the world's first air-to-air missile which can fire backwards.
Dan Rozen, who was personally involved in the development of all 5 generations of the Shafrir and Python air-to-air missiles, says – all we do since the beginning is trying to ease on the Israeli pilot to get into the firing position from which he will destroy the enemy. We came to the pilots and told them – where you are now is your firing position. All you have to do is press the button. And this is what so incredible about the Python 5.
The Python 5 gives the IAF an endless flexibility. You can take a young, unexperienced pilot, and put him on an aircraft with the Python 5, and he immediately becomes 10 times better pilot . Practice him with that system, and the pilot becomes 100 times better.
