Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
A-Darter Missile Certified by Brazil and South Africa
Denel’s short-range weapon has been brought to fruition with Brazilian help, and is now ready for operation with the Gripen
A mock-up of an A-Darter is shown next to a South African Air Force Gripen. The missile has some similarities to the Iris-T that is currently used by the SAAF Gripens, but is considerably larger. (photo: David Donald)
A mock-up of an A-Darter is shown next to a South African Air Force Gripen. The missile has some similarities to the Iris-T that is currently used by the SAAF Gripens, but is considerably larger. (photo: David Donald)

A type certificate for the South African/Brazilian Denel A-Darter short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) has been granted by the South African Air Force's Directorate of Systems Integrity and the Brazilian Institute for Industrial Development and Coordination. The award acknowledges that the weapon meets the technical, operational, logistical, industrial, and safety requirements of both the South African and Brazilian air forces, and marks the conclusion of the A-Darter development, qualification, and certification program.

South African and Brazilian type certificates were handed over during a ceremony held in Brasilia on September 29. South Africa's Armscor simultaneously handed over the two type certificates to Denel Dynamics and to the Brazilian Air Force's Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA).