The Mectron MAA-1 Piranha 1 is a supersonic, short-range air-to-air missile relying on infrared passive guidance which seeks the target's heat emissions coming primarily from the engine/s. The infrared sensor uses two colors to discriminate infrared countermeasures (IRCM) from the real target and was supplied by South Africa's Kentron (Denel Group). It is highly manoeuvrable and can turn at accelerations of up to 50g. The Piranha performs as a 'fire and forget' missile, that means once launched the missile does not require input data coming the aircraft's sensors to hit its target. A laser fuze is responsible for detonating the high explosive warhead. Externally, it is very similar to Rafael's Python 3 air-to-air missile and the aerodynamic configuration is near the same.
During the 1990s Mectron conducted Piranha missile test firings on the AT-26 Xavante, F-5 and Mirage III aircraft. The missile was qualified for operation on the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) F-5E in September 1992. Missile production began from 1993 onwards but no date has been confirmed yet. The Piranha air-to-air missile has also been integrated into Brazilian AMX tatical attack aircraft and could be integrated into many other aircraft used by the Brazilian Air Force, Army and Navy in the near future.
The Mectron MAA-1 Piranha 1 is a missile air-air short range with infrared guidance system for aerial combat of the "dogfight" in tactical characteristics of the F-103E aircraft IIIEBR Mirage, F-5E Tiger II, A-1 AMX, A-29 Super Tucano, AT-26 Xavante (tests) and possibly the AF-1 Hawks Navy and the "new" FAB Mirage 2000C.
The data indicate a missile Mectron sensor "passive infrared seeker all-aspect", with characteristic equivalent to the U.S. AIM-9L.
The technical specifications of the manufacturer advises that the missile is able to "pull" to 50 G's (capacity of the cell), has an infrared detector InSb scan cone-cooled gas, with scanning speed 35° / s and view angle of 37°. The G-load is more indicative of the strength of the cell as the missile does not have a narrow turning radius. To achieve a turning radius that would create a 50-G load would require a sophisticated digital autopilot and would only be possible when the rocket motor is burning.
The acquisition target may be in standalone mode or with the missile "appointed" by the radar, HUD or crosshairs on the helmet (which means some capacity off-boresight). Radar acquisition of the target is particularly useful in night time or low visibility conditions.
The CTA data indicate maximum g-load of 45 g's, a turning speed at or above 20 degrees per second and maximum angle of screening more than 30 degrees. Another source says that the CTA is also developing an infrared sensor capable of trapping front for future versions. This means that the missile is not "all-aspect" and can only engage targets by the industry back. These data may refer to older models.
The warhead is a blast fragmentation type with HMX explosives and weighs 12kg (20kg in the original model). A proximity fuze is laser-active timer with fuze and impact.
The rocket motor has a burn time of 2.1 second, a maximum thrust of 27,000 newtons and can accelerate the Piranha missile up to Mach 2. The motor uses smokeless propellant. The theoretical range is 8–10km (4–6km in early versions from the 70's and 80's). The mission time is 40 seconds.
Navigation is by proportional navigation with pneumatic actuator and "canards" for steering control. The scroll control and stabilization is by "rollerons" in stabilizers. The Piranha has achieved the design parameters of the first phase was to overcome the AIM-9B. In the second phase of the project the goal was to overcome the AIM-9E
VMectron MAA-1 Missile Variants
- MAA-1A Piranha 1 - In service.
- MAA-1B Piranha 2 - Improved range, maneuvrability and infra-red counter-measures (IRCM) systems. 80% of components are Brazilian. Undergoing testing which may be completed by late 2008 or early 2009.
