Shafrir 1

The Israeli Shafrir air-to-air missile (AAM) resembles the U.S. AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM, but is larger and is fitted with an infrared (IR) homing seeker of a different design.

Like the Sidewinder, the Shafrir is gyro-stabilized by "rollerons" -- small wheels fitted in the trailing edge of the four tailfins that are spun by the slipstream. The design of the Shafrir emphasized simplicity and low cost.

The missile is a long cylinder with a blunt, glass-covered nose and steerable...