Munitions

Derby BVR air-to-air missile

Also known as
  • Derby BVR AAM
  • Derby BVR
  • I-Derby
  • I-Derby ER

Derby BVR air-to-air missile is Rafael's Israeli active-radar air-to-air missile family for beyond-visual-range fighter engagements. The family includes the I-DERBY and extended-range I-DERBY ER, while separate SPYDER air-defense derivatives use the same Derby lineage in a ground-launched role.

Derby BVR air-to-air missile, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Munitions
Image source: Wikimedia Commons Rafael I-Derby Missiles file
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
Service note
1990s-present
Designed
Late 1980s
Produced
1998-present

Specifications

Guidance
Active radar homing; I-DERBY ER uses a solid-state RF seeker
Engagement modes
LOBL/LOAL supported for I-DERBY ER; Derby was demonstrated from Tejas in LOAL mode
Range
I-DERBY ER launch range listed by Rafael as 100 km
Motor
I-DERBY ER uses a dual-pulse rocket motor
Dimensions
I-DERBY ER: 3.62 m length, 0.64 m wingspan, 0.16 m diameter
Weight
I-DERBY ER: 122 kg
Compatibility
Fighter aircraft and SPYDER air-defense systems; Tejas integration and live firing documented by PIB
Variants

This page treats I-DERBY and I-DERBY ER as searchable names within the air-to-air Derby family; the linked variant row separates the SPYDER surface-to-air adaptation because it has distinct launcher and conflict context.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Derby surface-to-air missile, Surface-to-air missile family, MunitionsDerby surface-to-air missileSPYDER interceptor adaptation

The ground-launched Derby family is covered separately because its documented SPYDER air-defense use has different platform and conflict context.

Sources: Rafael I-DERBY ER page, Rafael SPYDER Family brochure

Carrier Aircraft

Public Indian trial reporting documents Derby integration on Tejas in the air-launched fighter role.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
HAL Tejas, Single-engine multirole light combat aircraft family, Aircraft & UAVsHAL TejasLight combat aircraft

PIB said Tejas released a Derby BVR missile in radar-guided lock-on-after-launch mode in May 2017, and later reported that April 2021 trials validated the aircraft's already integrated Derby BVR AAM.

Sources: Tejas Successfully Test Fires Derby Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range Missile, DRDO conducts maiden trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile

Air-Launched Family Context

Derby appears in public sources in both air-launched and surface-launched contexts. This entry covers the fighter-carried BVR missile family; the linked surface-to-air record covers SPYDER interceptor use where the same missile lineage is launched from air-defense batteries.

Air-to-air role

Rafael lists I-DERBY and I-DERBY ER with its air-to-air missiles, and Indian trial reporting identifies Derby as an integrated Tejas BVR AAM.

Ground-launched derivative

I-DERBY ER reporting also describes a ground-based air-defense version for SPYDER; that launcher relationship is handled on the separate Derby surface-to-air missile page.

Sources: Rafael air-to-air missiles page; Rafael I-DERBY ER page; Rafael SPYDER Family brochure; DRDO conducts maiden trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile; EDR I-Derby ER development milestone.

Timeline

Derby BVR air-to-air missile Key Events

  1. Derby development program underway

    Rafael's history account traces Derby work to a radar-guided BVR missile program that ran through the 1990s and early 2000s.

    Sources: Rafael Derby history page

  2. Derby enters worldwide service

    Rafael says Derby has been sold worldwide since 1998.

    Sources: Rafael ESG report 2022-2023

  3. Tejas fires Derby in LOAL mode

    India's PIB reported a Tejas Derby BVR missile firing in radar-guided lock-on-after-launch mode against an aerial target.

    Sources: Tejas Successfully Test Fires Derby Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range Missile

  4. I-DERBY ER ground-version milestone

    Rafael completed a test series for the ground-based air-defense version of I-DERBY ER, supporting SPYDER integration while preserving the missile's air-to-air lineage.

    Sources: EDR I-Derby ER development milestone

  5. Tejas validation trial reported

    India's PIB reported that Derby BVR AAM validation on Tejas included a direct hit on a high-speed maneuvering aerial target.

    Sources: DRDO conducts maiden trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile

I-DERBY ER Design Notes

The I-DERBY ER sources emphasize a longer-range derivative rather than a wholly separate weapon family. Public descriptions highlight active radar homing, a dual-pulse rocket motor, software-controlled seeker behavior, ECCM features, two-way communication, and lock-on-before-launch or lock-on-after-launch employment.

Media

Derby BVR air-to-air missile Videos

Derby BVR air-to-air missile Images

Derby BVR air-to-air missile, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons Rafael I-Derby Missiles file
Related Weapon Systems
Python-5 air-to-air missile, Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, MunitionsMunitionsPython-5 air-to-air missileFifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missilePython-5 is Rafael's fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, built around a dual-waveband imaging infrared seeker, lock-on-before-launch and lock-on-after-launch modes, and a full-sphere launch envelope. Public sources document Israeli F-16 use against Hezbollah UAVs in 2006 and Gaza-launched drones in 2021, while SPYDER batteries use Python-5 as the infrared-imaging interceptor alongside Derby-family radar-guided missiles.
Blue Sparrow, Air-launched ballistic target missile / air-to-surface ballistic munition, MunitionsMunitionsBlue SparrowAir-launched ballistic target missile / air-to-surface ballistic munitionBlue Sparrow is a Rafael-built Israeli air-launched ballistic target missile in the Sparrow family, originally used to simulate medium- and long-range ballistic threats for missile-defense testing. Open Source Munitions Portal records and reporting on debris in Iraq show Blue Sparrow-family components in later Israeli long-range air-to-surface strike activity, while public sources still treat exact derivative designations and warhead configurations cautiously.
Barak LR / LRAD interceptor, Long-range surface-to-air interceptor, Air DefenseAir DefenseBarak LR / LRAD interceptorLong-range surface-to-air interceptorBarak LR, also identified in Israeli operational reporting as LRAD, is Israel Aerospace Industries' 70 km long-range interceptor in the Barak MX air and missile defense family. It combines vertical launch, a dual-pulse motor, an active RF seeker, and battle-management data links for land and naval air defense, including Barak Magen use from Israeli Navy Sa'ar 6 missile ships against Iranian-launched UAVs during the 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict.
Chengdu J-10C, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsChengdu J-10CSingle-engine multirole fighter aircraftThe Chengdu J-10C is a Chinese single-engine multirole fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and exported as the J-10CE. Public manufacturer and state-media material emphasizes all-weather multirole missions, AESA-class radar, electronic-warfare and cooperative-engagement features, PL-15/PL-15E beyond-visual-range missile compatibility, and Pakistan's documented use of the type during the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict.

Sources

Rafael air-to-air missiles pagePublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports Derby family background as part of Rafael's air-to-air missile portfolio and its fighter-aircraft context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Rafael I-DERBY ER pagePublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports the family's air-to-air role, short/medium/long-range capability, and compatibility with fighter aircraft and SPYDER air-defense systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Rafael I-DERBY ER data sheetPublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Supports I-DERBY ER family role, RF seeker, 100 km launch range, LOBL/LOAL, two-way communication, dimensions, weight, and aircraft/SPYDER compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Rafael SPYDER Family brochurePublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Supports SPYDER compatibility with I-DERBY and I-DERBY ER, active-radar Derby-family use, I-DERBY ER two-pulse motor, and LOBL/LOAL for SPYDER SR/ER. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Rafael Derby history pagePublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports Derby's late-1980s origin as a radar-guided BVR missile and its development history. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Rafael ESG report 2022-2023Publisher: Rafael | Note: Supports Rafael's statement that Derby has been sold worldwide since 1998. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Tejas Successfully Test Fires Derby Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range MissilePublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports the May 2017 Tejas Derby BVR firing, radar-guided lock-on-after-launch mode, aircraft integration context, and target destruction. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DRDO conducts maiden trial of Python-5 Air to Air MissilePublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports Tejas validation of the already integrated Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) AAM during the April 2021 Python-5 trials. | Accessed: 2026-07-01EDR I-Derby ER development milestonePublisher: EDR Magazine | Note: Supports I-DERBY ER development context, active-radar seeker, dual-pulse motor, over-100 km air-to-air range claim, SPYDER ground-version context, and February 2021 test milestone. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons Rafael I-Derby Missiles filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Open-license provenance page for the I-Derby missile image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons Derby missile filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Open-license provenance page for the Derby missile image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01