A-Darter starts darting

Armada International, April-May, 2009

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Denel has announced that it has recently started ground-launch tests of the new air-to-air missile it is developing in co-operation with FAB's CTA in Brazil. These first tests were aimed at verifying the aerodynamic performance of the airframe. Further tests are expected to culminate with an air-launched test in 2010 with a view to making the missile operational by 2012, although South Africa has not yet signed an acquisition contract for the heat-seeking A-Darter (the Air Force, in the meantime having ordered the Iris-T from Diehl BGT as a cross-gap measure to equip its Gripens). In Brazil, things seem to be slightly more urgent since the Forca Aerea is having its fleet of F-5s seriously upgraded and shall need to replace its obsolescing Mectron MAA-1 Piranhas.