V3A Kukri

Status: Out of service

Category: Air-to-Air

Description:
In 1969, the SAAF indicated that they had a requirement for a more manoeverable missile than the AIM-9B (V2) Sidewinder.

The V3A was South Africa's first locally developed short-range infra-red dogfight air-to-air missile to enter service and was proberly based on the AIM-9B. Development commenced from 1971. The first successful interceptions by the Kentron V3A were reported in 1972 and it entered production in 1973 and a total of 20 missile were built by 1975.

The V3A was also one of the first missiles to feature a helmet-mounted acquisition system which allowed the pilot to lock the missile's seeker head onto a target well outside his aircraft's axis. However, the seeker head was limited to 30 degrees angle off firing under low g conditions.

The missile was integrated on the Mirage F1CZ before the aircraft left France. The missile was used by the SAAF until 1978.

Images:

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V3A Kukri