Python 3
Contents
Description
The Python 3 is an Israeli heatseeking missile, being a further development of the Shafrir 2. Produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, it was much improved and has seen widespread service. Notably in the 1982 Lebanon war, it performed very well, gaining between 35-50 kills to its name. The PLAAF was also enthused with it, liscensing it as the PL-8.
The Python 3 was introduced in Update "La Royale", and comfortably sits as one of, if not the best short range IR missile. Compared to the AIM-9L and R-60M, it is faster and at 40Gs, pulls much harder than both. It has better range than the R-60M, and in most cases the AIM-9L, although in theory at high altitude the AIM-9L will outrange it. It works well being shot at strange angles that enemies will not expect, to avoid being flared away.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.
Effective damage
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Comparison with analogues
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Usage in battles
Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)
Pros and cons
Pros:
- High overload factor of 40G
Cons:
- Vulnerable to flares
History
Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
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- reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;
- references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.
External links
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- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
