Posted on 05/31/2005 8:56:29 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Israeli missile fails again in test-firing
From Rahul Bedi
DH News Service New Delhi:
As both the rounds of validation firing were not satisfactory, Rafael may be answerable to the penalty clause for delayed delivery of the missile systems.
The Israeli armament maker Rafaels medium range conventional stand-off AGM142 Raptor Have Nap/Popeye missile, specially configured for the Indian Air Force (IAF), proved unsuccessful in its second validation test-firing in Rajasthan recently.
The first validation firing of the missile specially code named Crystal Maze by the IAF took place last December.
According to the deal signed with Rafael in December 2001 for 30 AGM-142 missiles for around Rs 2.70 bn ($ 62.7 million), two validation test-firings were mandatory by mid-2005. Thereafter, 15 missiles were to be delivered to the IAF by June with the balance to be handed over by the year-end.
Fired from a Mirage 2000H fighter, the 1,360 kg missile with a 328 kg warhead and a range of around 100 km missed its target in late April in Jaisalmer, exploding between 50-60 meters away, senior official sources said.
In the December 2004 test-firing at the same location, the missile struck the 5000 PSI reinforced concrete target accurately, piercing it to a depth of two meters, but did not explode.
Military officers present at the firing range said this was due reportedly to a problem with the missile fuse, a problem Rafael managed to rectify in the second round. Ministry of defence (MoD) sources indicated that another round of firing by Rafael would take place by the year-end.
Since both rounds of validation firing had not proven satisfactory, the penalty clause for delayed delivery of the missile systems was likely to come into effect, MoD sources indicated.
The 48.26 m long AGM-42/Crystal Maze missile powered by a solid propellant rocket motor has an inertial guidance system equipped with a data link, television and imaging infrared homing device. With a diameter of 5.3 m and a wingspan of 19.8 m, the missile will arm IAFs Mirage 2000 H and Mirage 2000-5 fighters the IAF is planning to acquire from Qatar.
Competing with Rafael for the AGM contract was Frances MBDA and South Africas Denel with its Kentron multi-purpose, surgical strike weapon. The IAF has also sent out a request for information for advanced air-to-surface missiles with a 200 km range.
Israeli cruise missile fails again in test-firing(for India)
Why is Israel firing test missles at India?
These missiles are being testfired for the Indian airforce,not at them.
48.26 M long?
158 feet?
That's MSM-India style for you!!Most of the reliable sites list the Popeye's length at 4.8 metres(poor Bedi forgot his decimal points) & wingspan of about 2 metres.
What changes did India ask for?
yep-thanx!!!!
Not really sure of any changes.Funny thing is that Israel produces a smaller & more sophisticated variant of the Popeye for use on aircraft like the F-16.The problem was that weapon is a JV with Lockheed Martin,so it may not recieve approval from the use.
LOL!
Lockheed hands out free Popeye variants with every purchase of 126 F-16's.
I think there wouldn't be any problem if India purchased the Popeye-2 now given the state of Indo-US ties,but this deal was agreed upon over 2 years back,when India was still under US sanctions.About supplying F-16s,you do know that LM builds the JASSM so why split the profits with the Israelis!!Anyway the French will probably hawk their own stand-off missiles for the Mirage-2005 & so would Boeing for the F/A-18 .
Hopefully one day in the future such missiles will not be necessary.
Rumor has it the problem is that they can't stop it from heading for Iran's reactors on launch. 8]
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