Israel Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Python-5
An Israeli fifth-generation, high-off-boresight infrared air-to-air missile with an electro-optical imaging seeker giving it lock-on-after-launch and limited beyond-visual-range capability. It arms the Israeli Air Force's F-16 and F-15 fleets and has been exported to multiple air arms.
In service since 2003
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
20
km range
4
Mach
11
kg warhead
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 2003. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
- Max speed (Mach)
Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters.
- 4 Mach Stronger than 71% of missiles
- Range
Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.
- 20 km Stronger than 21% of missiles
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
- Warhead
Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range.
- 11 kg Stronger than 23% of missiles
- Warhead type
Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.
- Blast-fragmentation, proximity fuze
- Guidance
How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.
- Imaging infrared homing, Lock-on before or after launch
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
- Length
Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.
- 3.1 m
- Combat weight
Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.
- 105 kg
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
- Propulsion type
Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…
- Solid-fuel rocket
Specifications compiled from public Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5 has a maximum range of 20 km.
How much does the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5 weigh? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5 has a combat weight of 105 kg.
What is the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5 used for? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5 is a missile typically used for air superiority.
How much does the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5 cost? +
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Python-5: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
