Rafael SPYDER-LR - A strengthened Spyders Web

Akizyro · December 23, 2025, 8:38pm

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Suggestion No.106

G’day lads. I want to suggest a medium range anti air system for Israel, that being the longer range SPYDER-LR compared to the current SPYDER ingame :)

Description:

Spoiler

The Rafael SPYDER-LR is the long range variant of the Israeli SPYDER family of mobile SAM developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Like it’s older, shorter range variants, it was designed to provide quick, mobile and effective protection against a variety of modern aerial threats. These get intercepted by launching advanced air to air missiles from ground based launchers mounted on truck platforms and integrating with modern radar and command-and-control networks. Also just like the older SPYDER’s, it can use a mix of Python 5 IIR missiles and I-Derby (incl. ER) ARH missiles with booster equipped long range versions of these interceptors. Aside from those, it can still use all the missiles the lower range SPYDER variants have as noted in their brochure. Something that should probably be noted is that the MR and LR should be the same, with the main difference just being that the LR carries the longer range missiles, hence why it can sometimes be hard to distinguish what is what.

History:

Spoiler

Development of the SPYDER air defense system began in the early 2000s when Rafael Advanced Defense Systems initiated a program to adapt its Python and Derby air-to-air missiles for ground based use in a mobile short-range air defense role, responding to growing demand for rapid reaction protection against aircraft and munitions. The first operational configuration, later designated SPYDER-SR (Short Range), was publicly unveiled in 2005 and successfully demonstrated the ability to launch both Python-5 infrared guided missiles and Derby active radar guided missiles directly from truck mounted launchers.

Following testing and early export interest in the mid-late 2000s, including reported deployment in Georgia and confirmed procurement by India under the Low Level Quick Reaction Missile program, Rafael expanded the SPYDER concept into a modular family of systems with increasing range and capability. This led to the introduction of extended range configurations and then the SPYDER-MR (Medium Range), which added vertical launch capability, improved radar integration, and a broader engagement envelope while retaining the same missile family.

Continued operational use and export success throughout the 2010s drove further development, culminating in the SPYDER-LR (Long Range), which entered service in the early 2020s and incorporated booster equipped longer range versions of the Python and Derby missiles (as already mentioned).

Armaments:

Spoiler

The LR can have up to 8 missiles. As already mentioned, it can have every previous missile used on other SPYDER’s. These can range to base I-Derby and Python 5’s (SR), to I-Derby ER’s (ER), to Python 5 MR and I-Derby MR (MR), and at last to the I-Derby LR too. With the I-Derby LR, it can have a maximum range of up to 80km.

Some also carry a TopLite EOS sight (which can be seen on the cover image of the suggestion)

As for it’s radar, it is hinted to use a ELM-2084 for detection and guidance (as already mentioned, the MR and LR are the same, aside from the LR having better missiles)

Specifications:

Spoiler

Due to the most common (at least from what I can see) chassis of the MR/LR being a MAN HX77 8x8, I will use it’s data for it. The MAN HX77 8x8 has a length of 10.13m, a width of 2.55m and a height of 3.92m. It’s around 32 tons heavy. It’s powered by a MAN D 2066 LF34 engine with 443hp at 1900rpm, while the transmission is a 8 speed ZF type 12AS 2301 OD.