that 120g figure for the Python 5 is far too high considering aerodynamically its identical to the Python 4 and neither use TVC, even ignoring most secondary sources repeat the same 70g figure, 120g is far too high for a non TVC missile
not to mention years are wrong and the range figures are also wrong so it doesnt make much sense
I’ve looked at the link and the reference they use is indeed internet and sometimes just wikipedia.
Multiple problems:
The range they give
-Public figures:
-Max range estimate for operational (look like max range divided by 2)
-Max operational range given by the maker:
.
First of all mesuring the maneuvrability only with G limit is not the best for those generation of AAM.
The real maneuveuring capability of a next gen AAM is more its capability to do a 180° turn very sharply.
Doing 100G at mach 4 you’ll still have a bigger turn radius than a 50g missile going at Mach 2.
That’s why i feel like comparing turn radius is better than max g load.
Anyways,
The 55G for the 9X is possible. I think it’s probably closer to 60G but i’ve not found a primary source on that. It’s more of a consensus on the internet.
The 100G for the ASRAAM is let’s say , really too mutch.
The ASRAAM is probably the least capable for maneuveuring of all the GEN 5 AAM.
I think it’s more a 50G missile than a 100G one. And since it’s optimised for long range shot i think it’s really quick off the rail and so it has one of the biggest turn radius of all gen 5 AAM.
It’s really good for shooting plane 20/30km away in front of the Aircraft but not the most optimised for dogfigth. The plan was always :“First shot , first kill”.
The 55G AA-11 is probably true for ealy gen AA-11 (R-73/74) but it’s probably more 60G for later version sutch as R-73M/74M which manage to have a tigther turn radius. The thing is that they mention 60° gimbal which mean either the MK-8OM/ IMPULS 90 or /MK 2000 seeker which are only present on the R-73M/74M. So a there’s a mistake over there.
The 120G for the Python 5 as @DracoMindC said is far too high and the 70G comonly accepted figure is probably more realist and logic considering it’s turn performance (180° in 3s).
If the missile did 120g while at mach 2 (low speed initialy to turn) it would have a turn radius of 400m! and it would do a 180° in 1.84s which is mutch less than the 3sec given by Rafael.
V=Mach 2= 686 M/S
G=120g = 120*9.81=1177.2 M/S^2
Radius of the turn = V^2 / G = 399M.
Angular displacement = Half a circle = PI rad.
Angular velocity: W= V/R = 686/399 = 1.72 rad/s
Time it take for the missile to do a 180° turn: 3.14/1.72 = 1.84s.
For G=70g:
Turn radius= 685m
Time it take for the missile to do a 180° turn: 3.142s
We found a mutch closer result to the RAFAEL annoucement with 70G
The 60G on the IRIS-T why not, but since it does this at low speed then it reaccelerate it has the smaller turning radius of the gen 5 aam at the cost of range.
Added under the Russian section 👍
R=V^2/g*sqrt(G^2-1)
You also could add R-27(E)T, they both have IRCCM irl (same 36T seeker).
Using your formula i end up with :
Turn radius =R =V^2/g*sqrt(G^2-1)= (686^2) / (9.81 * sqrt(120^2 - 1)) = 398.44 m so not far away from the 399 i found.
Anyways the 120G values is too big for the Python 5 missile
The Iris-T is said to have halve the turning rad of an R-73 by manufacturer
Where does the value in 399 m come from?
Yeah you can see it in my thread.
It can do a 180° turn in only 2sec compared to the 4s for the first gen R-73.
R= V^2 / G = 686*686/ 1177.2 = 399m
Massively over performing in track rate then? In game is 30deg/s with the 36T seeker looks to be 15deg/s
Also got thoses one:
I’m currently trying to get as mutch info on them before posting it since they got lots and lots of seekers.
For the R-73 family i also found thoses seekers:
Same image as yours but here you can find a focal plane array seeker. So they have developped an Imaging seeker for their missile. they have the tech so i wonder why they don’t use it. Maybe it’s daytime only or something idk.
I think the proposed upgrade is the MK-2000 but not sure since there’s no name on the image.
So your calculation is initially incorrect
I already reported this, they corrected all seeker characteristics except track rate I’m not sure why.
Only actual serial production seeker is 36T. All others is ukranian proposals for modernization.
Yes I found your report, they had another source claiming 30deg/s, I’ve added the Ukrainian 15deg/s claim to go along side yours. Should lend more weight to those two sources over the one they are using.
I was under the impression modernized R-27s purchased by the chinese in the mid 2000s had A3-10 seekers
They were, because they were bought from Ukraine.
Rather, 120g may be a realistic maneuverability since Python-5 does not use TVC. If the missile is not using TVC and needs to make a sharp turn to hit a target behind the aircraft, it will need a fairly high level of maneuverability.
