Thread: Su-30MKI
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Old 11-13-2007, 14:29 PM   #44 (permalink)
Feanor
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Join Date: 06-12-07
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Here's something I found. It sounds fairly interesting, and doesn't mention any passive radar missiles.

''3.8.2. Air-to-air Missiles

Vympel Corporation has designed an extensive range of air-to-air missiles for new Russian fighters. It includes close-range missile R-73 (AA-11 Archer), intermediate-range missile R-27 (AA-10 Alamo), new active radar homing missile R-77 (AA-12 Adder) and long-range missile intended to counter bomber targets R-33 (AA-9 Amos). Both the R-73 and R-27 missiles have been exported, and for example Iraq had them at their disposal in the Gulf War (6).

The task to design a maneuverable infrared missile for dogfight situations was originally given to design bureau Molniya. Later the bureau was given the task to develop spaceship Buran, and the R-73 Izdieliye 62 came to be Vympel's responsibility. The R&D was completed in 1985 and the R-73 is now Russia's primary close-range missile. The maneuverability has been improved by both aerodynamic means and thrust vectoring. It can be locked on target with help of a helmet sight. The R-73M homing head has a 45 degree angle of opening, which in the advanced version R-73M2 has been increased to 60 degrees. Also the rocket engine has been enlarged for longer range of operation and tolerance to infrared diversion has been improved (47).

The R-27 Izdieliye 470 entered production phase in 1986 and is now Russia's primary intermediate-range missile in air-to-air missile category. The first service versions of the missile were semi-active radar homing missile R-27R (Alamo-B) and infrared missile R-27T (Alamo-A). Both versions use inertial guidance with data link commands from the launching aircraft in the first phase of the flight. The third version, R-27P (Pasivnaya), is equipped with a passive homing head. It can be used against targets transmitting radar emissions, such as AWACS planes. The developed version R-27E (Energitisheskaya) is fitted with a more powerful rocket engine, which lengthens the missile by about 17 percent. The semi-active radar homing missile and infrared missile are R-27ER (Alamo-C) and R-27ET (Alamo-D), respectively. In 1992 Russia announced that it has two new air-to-air missile versions. The R-27EA is equipped with an active radar homing head and the R-27EM is semi-active radar homing missile designed specifically for the Su-35 fighter (47).

The RVV-AE Izdieliye 170 R-77 first came into public in 1992. Its initial flight is based on inertial guidance and the final flight on active radar homing. The cruciform fins act as aerodynamic control surfaces. The maximum curve velocity is reported to be 150 degrees a second. The missile is currently being introduced to service use on the Su-27M, MiG-29M and MiG-31M aircraft. As far as is known, at least two new versions are in research stage. One features an IR seeker and the other a more powerful engine. The latter is expected to reach 160-kilometer operation ranges at high altitudes. It may also feature passive radar homing head (47).

The R-33 (AA-9 Amos) missile was developed specifically for the MiG-31. The guidance is semi-active in the initial stage and semi-active radar homing in the final stage. The missile is meant to counter targets with limited agility. The maximum range is 120 kilometers. In the advanced MiG-31M version the plan is to replace the R-33 with the R-37 missile, in which the semi-active homing head has been replaced with active radar. However, the future of the MiG-31M program is quite uncertain, and the same may apply to the R-37 missile (48,6).

Novator Group has presented a plan concerning anti-AWACS missile KS-172/R-72(?). Its range would be 400 kilometers. The project is in its initial stages and there is no information about financing or possible buyers (6).

The Russians have also brought up an idea about a missile that could be launched backwards. It is based on the R-73 (AA-11 Archer) missile. The new missile weighs 5 kilos more and is 30 cm longer than the original R-73. It is still IR seeking and operates on two wavelengths. The angle of view is a 60-degree cone. The range is from one kilometer to 10 - 12 kilometers. The unfavorable launch velocity situation has an effect on the range. Tactically this missile is primarily a self-protection weapon for attack aircraft, bombers and intelligence aircraft, since in fighter combat the risk to hit own planes is very high (49).''

Russian Air Force 3.8
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