R-73 (missile)

R-73 / R-74
AA-11 Archer
A mock up of RVV-MD - the export variant of the R-74M
TypeShort-range air-to-air missile
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1984–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
ManufacturerMoscow Kommunar Machine-Building Plant, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, TAM Management
Specifications
Mass105 kilograms (231 lb)
Length2.93 metres (9 ft 7 in)
Diameter165 millimetres (6.5 in)
Wingspan510 millimetres (20 in)
Warhead7.4 kilograms (16 lb)
EngineSolid-fuel rocket engine
Operational
range
  • R-73A, R-73E: 30 kilometres (19 mi)[1][2]
  • R-73M, RVV-MD: 40 kilometres (25 mi)[1][3]
Maximum speed Mach 2.5
Guidance
system
All-aspect infrared homing
Launch
platform

The Vympel R-73 (NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer) is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by Vympel NPO that entered service in 1984.[5]

Development

The R-73 was developed to replace the earlier R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') weapon for short-range use by Soviet fighter aircraft. Work began in 1973 initially as the K-73,[N 1] operational in 1982 and the first missiles formally entered service in 1984.[5]

The R-73 is an infrared homing (heat-seeking) missile with a sensitive, cryogenic cooled seeker with a substantial "off-boresight" capability: the seeker can detect targets up to 40° off the missile's centerline.[6] It can be targeted by a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) allowing pilots to designate targets by looking at them. Minimum engagement range is about 300 meters, with maximum aerodynamic range of nearly 30 km (19 mi) at altitude. The weapon is used by the MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27/33, Su-34 and Su-35, and can be carried by newer versions of the MiG-21, MiG-23, Sukhoi Su-24, and Su-25 aircraft.[7]

Shortly after German reunification in 1990, Germany and other ex-Warsaw Pact countries found themselves with large stockpiles of the R-73 missiles or AA-11 Archers as designated by NATO, and had concluded that the R-73/AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated by the West.[8] In particular, the R-73 was found to be both far more maneuverable, and far more capable in terms of seeker acquisition and tracking than the latest AIM-9 Sidewinder.[9] This realization started the development of newer missiles to help compete, including the ASRAAM, IRIS-T and AIM-9X.

According to an interview in 2022 with a Ukrainian pilot, the R-73 does not track well in clouds. This makes the missile difficult to use against Shahed-136 drones, forcing pilots to rely on their 30 mm cannon.[10]

From 1994, the R-73 has been upgraded in production to the R-73M standard, which entered Russian service in 1997. The R-73M has greater range and a wider seeker angle (to 60° off-boresight), as well as improved IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Counter-Measures). Further developments include the R-74 (izdeliye 740) and its export variant RVV-MD. These are expected to supplement previous variants of the R-73 in service.[11]

An improved version of the R-74, the R-74M (izdeliye 750) features fully digital and re-programmable systems, and is intended for use on the MiG-35, MiG-29K/M/M2, Su-27SM, Su-30MK and Su-35S. A further upgrade, known as the R-74M2 (izdeliye 760), is intended for the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft. This missile has an inertial navigation system, a smaller cross-section with the fin span reduced to 434 mm (17.1 in) to fit in internal weapon bays, and is designed to match the performance of the AIM-9X, IRIS-T and the ASRAAM. The R-74M2 completed trials in 2019, and its export variant RVV-MD2 was unveiled in 2023.[12] A clean sheet design, the K-MD (izdeliye 300), is expected to supersede the R-74M2 in the future.[13][14]

Operational history

On 24 February 1996, two Cessna 337s of the Brothers to the Rescue were shot down while flying over international waters 10 nautical miles outside of Cuban airspace by a Cuban Air Force MiG-29UB.[15] Each of the aircraft was downed by an R-73 missile.[16]

During the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from May 1998 to June 2000, R-73 missiles were used in combat by both Ethiopian Su-27s and Eritrean MiG-29s. It was the IR-homing R-60 and the R-73 that were used in all but two of the kills.

On 18 March 2008, a MiG-29 Fulcrum of the Russian Air Force intercepted a Georgian Elbit Hermes 450 UAV over Abkhazia. The MiG-29 destroyed the UAV with an R-73 missile.[17]

On 27 February 2019, Indian officials claims that an IAF MiG-21 Bison had successfully engaged and shot down a Pakistani F-16 with an R-73E missile during the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes.[18] Pakistan denied the loss of its aircraft.[19]

On 7 May 2022, Ukrainian Colonel Ihor Bedzai was killed when his Mi-14 helicopter was shot down by a Russian Su-35. It is reported that after missing its first shots using its 30 mm cannon, the Su-35 resorted to launching an R-73, which destroyed the helicopter.[20][21]

Use as a surface to air missile

These missiles have been used as a surface to air missile. In 1999 R-73s were adapted by Serb forces for surface to air missiles. The Houthi movement's Missile Research and Development Centre and the Missile Force have tried to fire R-27/R-60/R-73/R-77, from Yemeni Air Force stocks, against Saudi aircraft. The issue for the R-27R and R-77 is the lack of a radar to support their guidance to the target. However the R-27T, R-73 and R-60 are infrared heat seeking missiles. They only require power, liquid nitrogen "to cool the seeker head", and a pylon to launch the missile. These missiles have been paired with a "US made FLIR Systems ULTRA 8500 turrets". However the drawback is that these missiles are intended to be fired from one jet fighter against another. So the motors and fuel load are smaller than a purpose-built surface to air missile. Only one near miss has been verified and that was a R-27T fired at Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA.[22]

On 6 May 2024, Russia released footage of a Ka-29 helicopter using gunfire on a Sea Baby naval drone. The drone was armed with a R-73 infrared missile, to defend it from helicopters. One missile had been fired, at a Mi-8 helicopter, but missed before the drone was destroyed by gunfire.[23] In December 2024, Ukrainian Ground Forces units received modified 9K33 Osas modified to carry and fire R-73 missiles in addition to the original 9M33M3 missiles.[24]

On 31 December 2024, Ukraine released footage of a Magura V5 naval drone firing an R-73 missile and hitting a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence, the Mi-8 was shot down, while a second helicopter was damaged but managed to return to base.[25][26]

Variants

RVV-MD2 mockup at the 2023 Dubai Air Show
  • R-73 - Standard model with ±40° off-boresight.
  • R-73E - Export version of the standard model with ±45° off-boresight. The missile has a maximum range of 30 kilometres (19 mi) with 8 kg warhead.[2]
  • R-73M - Improved model featuring gate width IRCCM and ±60° off-boresight.
  • R-74 (izdeliye 740) - Improved model with ±60° off-boresight.
  • RVV-MD - Export model of the R-74 with ±75° off-boresight. The missile has a maximum range of 40 kilometres (25 mi) with 8 kg warhead.[27]
  • R-74M (izdeliye 750) - Improved model with ±75° off-boresight.
  • R-74M2 (izdeliye 760) - Further improved variant with reduced cross-section for the Sukhoi Su-57. The missile has an inertial navigation system and fin span reduced to 434 mm (17.1 in).
  • RVV-MD2 - Export model of the R-74M2.
  • Sea Dragon − Ukrainian modification for use in unmanned surface vehicles.[25]

Operators

Map with R-73 operators in blue with former operators in red

Current operators

Former operators

Notes

  1. ^ Soviet and Russian missile under development are given the K prefix, which becomes the R prefix when the weapon becomes operational.

References

  1. ^ a b "AA-11 ARCHER R-73". Global Security. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b "R-73E". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. ^ "RVV-MD". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  4. ^ "IAF's French Mirages Fly with Russian Missiles, Thanks to Israeli 'Jugaad'".
  5. ^ a b "Striving for a Safer World Since 1945".
  6. ^ "Vympel reveals previously classified air-to-air missiles". Reed Business Information Limited. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  7. ^ "uuaz.ru - Su-25UB Combat-trainer aircraft - Armament". Archived from the original on 31 May 2009.
  8. ^ Menon, KB (17 July 2012). "Evolution of the Air-To-Air Missiles: Options for the IAF". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Locking range". Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Ukrainian MiG-29 Pilot Talks About AGM-88 HARM & Shahed-136 UAVs; Explains Why Is It Hard To Counter Iranian Drones". 13 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  11. ^ Barrie, Douglas and Pyadushkin, Maxim. "R-77, R-73 Missile Upgrades Emerge". Aviation Week. 13 August 2009
  12. ^ Butowski, Piotr (7 February 2024). "Model Reveals New Russian Air-To-Air Missile For The Sukhoi Su-57". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Informa.
  13. ^ Butowski, Piotr. Russia and CIS Observer. 17 June 2007.
  14. ^ "Vympel plans to develop air-to-air missiles for Russia's PAK FA fighter". Jane's Missiles and Rockets. 19 May 2006
  15. ^ University of Minnesota Human Rights Library (1999). "Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena y Pablo Morales v. Republica de Cuba, Case 11.589, Report No. 86/99, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.106 Doc. 3 rev. at 586 (1999)". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Cuba11.589". Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  17. ^ "Russian jet shoots Georgian drone © Reuters". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  18. ^ "R-73 missile: The weapon with which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman brought down Pakistan's F-16 jet but they couldn't supply any evidences to support their claims, U.S. count shows no Pakistan F-16s shot down in Indian battle". Zee News India. Essel Group. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  19. ^ Indian Radar Data That Supposedly Proves They Downed An F-16 Is Far From "Irrefutable", 8 April 2019, The War Zone
  20. ^ "Russian Sukhoi Fighter 'Hunts Down' A Ukrainian Mi-14PS Chopper; Incident Gets Caught On Camera — Watch". www.eurasiantimes.net. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  21. ^ "A brave Ukrainian colonel died". www.thetimeshub.in. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  22. ^ Dario Leone (17 July 2019). "Here's how Houthis were able to deploy R-27/R-60/R-73/R-77 Air-to-Air Missiles as SAMs against Saudi-led Coalition Aircraft". theaviationgeekclub.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  23. ^ Newdick, Thomas (6 May 2024). "Ukrainian Drone Boats Now Armed With Adapted Air-To-Air Missiles". The War Zone. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  24. ^ Newdick, Thomas (12 December 2024). "Ukraine's SA-8 Gecko 'FrankenSAM' Adapted To Fire Air-To-Air Missiles Seen In New Detail". The War Zone. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b Newdick, Thomas (31 December 2024). "Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boat Shot Down A Russian Mi-8 Helicopter With A Surface-To-Air Missile". The War Zone. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  26. ^ Axe, David (31 December 2024). "One Of Ukraine's Drone Boats Just Shot Down A Russian Helicopter". Forbes. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Production". eng.ktrv.ru. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Weapon". Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  29. ^ a b "SIPRI Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). "Chapter Six: Asia". The Military Balance. 120 (1): 254. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707967. S2CID 219627149.
  31. ^ "Twitter". Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Balakchiev.com". www.balakchiev.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Egyptian MiG-29 deliveries concluded as Su-35 deliveries begin". 29 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Su-25KM SCORPION (It is made in Georgia)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  35. ^ Newdick, Thomas (27 October 2021). "Iranian MiG-29 Blasts Target Out Of Sky In Bonkers Low-Level Display (Updated)". The Drive. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  36. ^ Tincopa, Amaru (November–December 2021). "MiG-29 over the skies of the condor". Revista Pucará. No. 10. p. 20.
  37. ^ Butowski, Piotr; Newdick, Thomas (4 October 2022). "Russian Aggressor Squadron Gets Its First Su-35S Fighter Jets". The Drive.
  38. ^ Banković, Živojin (3 May 2022). "Kako je lovac postao višenamenski borbeni avion: Detalji novog naoružanja na premijeri modernizovanih MiG-ova 29SM". tangosix.rs.
  39. ^ Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter; Hinz, Fabian; Lepko, Mark (2011). African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe. Houston: Harpia Publishing. p. 150. ISBN 978-0-9825539-8-5.
  40. ^ Newdick, Thomas (April 2022). "Ukrainian MiG-29 Pilot's Front-Line Account Of The Air War Against Russia". The Drive. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  41. ^ a b c "Tactical Missiles Corporation Missile Exportation Since 1992" (PDF). Moscow Defense Brief (4/2008): 26.
  42. ^ Cooper, Tom (2018). Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-911628-18-7.
  43. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org.

Further reading

  • Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
  • Yak-130 04. August 2013.
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