A type certificate for the South African/Brazilian A-Darter infrared short-range air-to-air missile has been granted, marking the completion of development of the system.
The certification acknowledges that A-Darter meets the technical, operational, logistical, industrial and safety requirements of both the Brazilian and South African air forces, who will respectively use it to arm a range of combat aircraft types.
‘This partnership with South Africa [for] project A-Darter has achieved all of its goals,’ Lt Brig Luiz Fernando de Aguiar, director general of Brazil’s department of aerospace science and technology, said.
‘The missile will be an important item incorporated into the Brazilian Gripen, and will allow Brazil to absorb technology from this device.’
Brazil and South Africa signed an agreement to jointly develop the missile in 2006, which has been carried out by the former’s SIATT, Avibras and Opto Eletrônica, and the latter’s Denel.
The missile can autonomously identify a lock on after launch target, as well as engage electronic countermeasures.
It will equip the South African air force’s Saab Gripen C/D fighters and BAE Hawk trainers, as well as the Brazilian air force’s AMX A-1M ground-attack aircraft, Northrop F-5 fighters, and its new Gripen E fleet.
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