No, it is very different.
The Skyflash is a supersonic, medium- range, air-to-air missile developed by the UK from the American AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The latest version of the missile has a boost-sustain, solid fuel rocket motor giving it a greater range than previous versions. The missile can intercept and destroy enemy targets in all weather conditions, with the ability to ‘snap-up’ or ‘snap-down’ to engage targets at ultra-high or low level. The missile discriminates between separate target groups and can operate in a variety of countermeasure environments.
The Skyflash missiles on the F3 are recessed into the underside of the aircraft and are launched by large rams forcing them away from the launch aircraft. The missile uses semi-active homing, where the launch aircraft illuminates the target and the missile uses its built-in radar receiver to home on the reflected energy. This semi-active guidance limits the launch aircraft’s ability to manoeuvre until missile impact, as the launch aircraft must maintain positive radar contact with the target. In a typical beyond-visual- range (BVR) engagement the missile is launched and semi-actively guided until the active-radar proximity fuse detonates the high-explosive fragmentation warhead near to the target.
Although Skyflash is primarily a BVR missile, it can also be employed at shorter ranges, where the missile is optimised to ensure quick reaction times and maximum manoeuvrability after it has been launched.
