R-27 (air-to-air missile)
R-27 AA-10 Alamo | |
---|---|
German Air Force MiG-29 firing an R-27 | |
Type | BVR air-to-air missile; anti-radiation missile |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | 1983–present |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Vympel (Russia) Artem (Ukraine)[1] |
Unit cost | N/A |
Specifications | |
Mass | 253 kg (558 lb) |
Length | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
Diameter | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
Wingspan | 772 mm (30.4 in) |
Warhead | Blast/fragmentation or continuous rod |
Warhead weight | 39 kg (86 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Radar-proximity and impact fuzes |
Engine | High performance, w. directed-rocket motor Solid-fuel rocket motor |
Operational range | R-27T: up to 40 km (25 mi) R-27T1: up to 80 km (50 mi)[2] R-27ET: up to 120 km (75 mi) R-27ET1: up to 80 km (50 mi)[3] R-27R: up to 73 km (45 mi) R-27R1: up to 75 km (47 mi)[4] R-27ER: up to 130 km (81 mi) R-27ER1: up to 100 km (62 mi)[5] R-27P: up to 80 km (50 mi) R-27EP: up to 130 km (81 mi) R-27EA: up to 130 km (81 mi) R-27EM: up to 170 km (110 mi)[6][7] |
Flight altitude | N/A |
Maximum speed | Mach 4.5[citation needed] |
Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing (R-27R/ER) Active-radar homing (R-27EA) Infrared homing (R-27T/ET) Passive-radiation homing (R-27P/EP) |
Launch platform | Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, Su-35, Su-37, F-14 (done by Iran), MiG-23, MiG-29, Yak-141, J-11 (done by China)) local conversion as a surface-to-air missile in Yemen[8] |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/R-27_T_3D.jpg/220px-R-27_T_3D.jpg)
The Vympel R-27 (NATO reporting name AA-10 Alamo) is a family of air-to-air missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the late Cold War-era. It remains in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, air forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States and air forces of many other countries as the standard medium-range air-to-air missile despite the development of the more advanced R-77.
The R-27 is manufactured in infrared-homing (R-27T, R-27ET),[9] semi-active radar homing (R-27R, R-27ER),[10] and active-radar homing (R-27EA)[11] versions. R-27 family missiles are produced by both Russian and Ukrainian manufacturers. The R-27 missile is carried by the Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 family fighters. The R-27 missile is also license-produced in China,[citation needed] though the production license was bought from Ukraine instead of Russia.
Variants
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Lipetsk_Air_Base_%28437-24%29.jpg/220px-Lipetsk_Air_Base_%28437-24%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/R-27_missile_homing_head%2C_Kyiv_2018%2C_02.jpg/220px-R-27_missile_homing_head%2C_Kyiv_2018%2C_02.jpg)
- R-27R: AA-10 Alamo-A, semi-active radar homing. Missile can be used at 20–25,000 m (66–82,021 ft) altitude (launch platform or target). Effective kill range for a target at same altitude: 2–42.5 km (1.2–26.4 mi) head-on, 0.7–7.5 km (0.43–4.66 mi) tail-on. Maximum range: 73 km (45 mi). Maximum allowed vertical separation between target and launch platform: +/− 10 km (6.2 mi).[12]
- R-27R1: Export model of the R-27R. The missile has a maximum range of 75 kilometres (47 mi) with 39 kg (86 lb) warhead.[4]
- R-27T: AA-10 Alamo-B, infrared homing, passive homing using the Avtomatika 9B-1032 (PRGS-27) IR seeker head. Missile can be used at 20–25,000 m (66–82,021 ft) altitude. Effective kill range for a target at same altitude: 2–33 km (1.2–20.5 mi) head-on, 0–5.5 km (0.0–3.4 mi) tail-on. Maximum range: 63 km (39 mi). Maximum allowed vertical separation: +/− 10 km (6.2 mi).[12]
- R-27T1: Export model of the R-27T. The missile has a maximum range of 80 kilometres (50 mi) with 39 kg (86 lb) warhead.[2]
- R-27ER: AA-10 Alamo-C, the semi-active-radar homing extended-range version. Missile can be used at 20–27,000 m (66–88,583 ft) altitude. Effective kill range for a target at same altitude: 2–65.5 km (1.2–40.7 mi) head-on, 0.7–16.5 km (0.43–10.25 mi) tail-on. Missile cannot be fired at altitude less than 3 km (1.9 mi) against a target with background earth, if launch range is less than 6 km (3.7 mi). Maximum range: 117 km (73 mi). Maximum allowed vertical separation: 12 km (7.5 mi).[12]
- R-27ER1: Export model of the R-27ER. The missile has a maximum range of 100 kilometres (62 mi) with 39 kg (86 lb) warhead.[5]
- R-27ET: AA-10 Alamo-D, the infrared-homing extended-range version, Weight 348 kg (767 lb). Missile can be used at 20–27,000 m (66–88,583 ft) altitude. Effective kill range: 2–52.5 km (1.2–32.6 mi) head-on, 0.7–12.5 km (0.43–7.77 mi) tail-on. Maximum range: 104 km (65 mi). Maximum allowed vertical separation: 12 km (7.5 mi).[12]
- R-27ET1: Export model of the R-27ET. The missile has a maximum range of 80 kilometres (50 mi) with 39 kg (86 lb) warhead.[3]
R-27R and ER variants can be used in any meteorological conditions. Launch can made at less than 5 g overload and less than 50 deg/s roll rate.[12] It is allowed to redesignate targets during flight, and can share target illumination with other aircraft.
R-27T and ET variants can be used out of cloudiness, at least 15 degrees away from the bearing of sun, and 4 degrees away from the bearing of moon and ground-based heat-contrasting conditions. In cases of maximum head-on range launches where lock-command cannot be utilized, missile can not be fired. Seeker must acquire target before launch.[13] On the combat operations section of the Su-27 manual, this is especially recommended for head-on usage for passive attacks at targets with 0 degrees approach angle (i.e. another fighter moving to intercept), leaving target unalerted to the incoming missile.[14] Launch can be made at 0 to 7 g, but limited to 6 g if roll induced slip is more than 2× diameter of the ball.[12]
Other variants:
- R-27P AA-10 Alamo-E, passive radiation homing with a range of up to 72 km (45 mi).[citation needed]
- R-27EP AA-10 Alamo-F, a longer range passive anti-radiation missile with a range of up to 110 km (68 mi).[6]
- R-27EA, active radar homing with 9B-1103K active seeker, range of >130 km (81 mi).[7]
- R-27EM, active radar homing with 9B-1103K active seeker, range of >170 km (110 mi).
Operational service
[edit]Ethiopia and Eritrea
[edit]In the 1999 Eritrean-Ethiopian War, Eritrean MiG-29s fought Ethiopian Su-27s both piloted by Russian mercenaries.[15] Only one R-27 fired by an Ethiopian Su-27 at an Eritrean MiG-29 proximity-fuzed near enough to the MiG that the damaged aircraft eventually crashed on landing.
Russia and Ukraine
[edit]During the war in Donbas, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed that one of its Su-25 was shot down by a Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-29 using a R-27T on 16 July 2014.[16] Russian officials denied any involvement.[17]
The R-27 was used by both sides during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[18][19]
Yemen
[edit]During the Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) Houthis have used R-27T missiles modified to serve as surface to air missiles. A video released on January 7, 2018, also shows a modified R-27T hitting a Saudi led coalition fighter on a Forward looking infrared camera. Houthi sources claim to have downed a F-15.[20][21] Rebels later released footage showing an aircraft wreck, however serial numbers on the wreckage suggested that the downed aircraft was a Panavia Tornado, also operated by Saudi forces.[22] On January 8, the Saudi Press Agency admitted the loss of an aircraft over Yemen, though it did not clarify whether it was a Tornado or an F-15, blaming the crash to 'a technical issue' and reporting that the pilots ejected and were recovered by friendly forces.[23]
On 21 March 2018, Houthi rebels released a video where they hit and possibly shot down a Saudi F-15 in Saada province.[24] In the video a R-27T air to air missile adapted for surface to air use was launched, appearing to have successfully hit a jet. As in the video of the previous similar hit recorded on 8 January, the target, while clearly hit, did not appear to be downed. Saudi forces confirmed the hit, while saying the jet safely landed at a Saudi base.[25][26] Saudi official sources confirmed the incident reporting that it happened at 3:48 pm local time after a surface-to-air defense missile was launched at the fighter jet from inside Saada airport.[27][8]
Operators
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/R-27_operators.png/300px-R-27_operators.png)
Current
[edit]Algeria[28]
Angola[29]
Armenia − R-27R[30]
Azerbaijan − R-27T and R-27R[31]
Bangladesh − R-27R[32]
Belarus − R-27R and R-27ER[33]
Bulgaria − R-27R[34]
China − Used by the Air Force and Navy[35]
Cuba[36]
Eritrea[37]
Ethiopia[38]
India − Used by the Air Force and Navy[39]
Indonesia[40]
Iran − R-27T and R-27R[41]
Kazakhstan − R-27T, R-27ER, and R-27R[42]
Libyan National Army − R-27T[43]
Malaysia[44]
Myanmar[45]
North Korea − R-27R/ER[46]
Peru[47]
Poland − R-27T[48]
Russia − R-27T/ET, R-27R/ER, and R-27P/EP used by the Air Force; R-27T/ET used by the Navy[49]
Serbia − R-27ER[50]
Sudan[51]
Syria[52]
Uganda[53]
Ukraine − R-27ET and R-27ER[54]
Uzbekistan[55]
Venezuela − R-27T/ET and R-27R/ER[56]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Su-30MK2_number_8533_Jan-2017.jpg/220px-Su-30MK2_number_8533_Jan-2017.jpg)
Former
[edit]Czechoslovakia[58]
Czech Republic[59]
East Germany[58] − Passed on to Germany after the German reunification
Germany[59]
Hungary[59]
Iraq[60]
Romania[59]
Soviet Union − Passed on to successor states
Slovakia[59]
Yemen[58]
Yugoslavia[59] − Passed on to successor states
See also
[edit]- List of missiles
- R-77 – (Russia)
- Similar weapons
- AIM-7 Sparrow – (United States)
- Aspide – (Italy)
- Super 530 – (France)
- PL-11 – (China)
References
[edit]- Citations
- ^ "ARTEM". ARTEM. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ a b "R-27T1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ a b "R-27ET1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ a b "R-27R1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ a b "R-27ER1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ a b Kopp, Carlo (2012). "The Russian Philosophy of Beyond Visual Range Air Combat". ausairpower.net. p. 1. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ a b Dr C Kopp (15 March 2008). "The Russian Philosophy of Beyond Visual Range Air Combat". p. 1. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Saudi Arabia says F-15 survived SAM hit over Yemen - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
- ^ "Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC". eng.ktrv.ru. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014.
- ^ "Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC". eng.ktrv.ru. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC". eng.ktrv.ru. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Su-27 Flight Manual booklet-1. 2001. p. 129.
- ^ Su-27 Flight Manual booklet-1. 2001. p. 151.
- ^ Su-27 Flight Manual booklet-1. 2001. p. 150.
- ^ Smith, Charles. "Russian Mercenaries Flying For Ethiopia." Archived 27 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine WorldNetDaily, 18 July 2000. Retrieved: 24 October 2010.
- ^ "Russian military plane shot down Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft in Ukraine". Kyiv Post. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Russia Rejects 'Absurd' Accusation Over Downed Ukrainian Jet". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
- ^ Newdick, Thomas (13 October 2022). "Ukraine Claims MiG-29 Pilot Downed Five Drones Before Ejecting". The Drive.
- ^ Butowski, Piotr; Newdick, Thomas (4 October 2022). "Russian Aggressor Squadron Gets Its First Su-35S Fighter Jets". The Drive.
- ^ "Yemen's Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Kill with SAM over Capital City of Santis". 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Yemen rebels release F-15 'shoot down' footage - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018.
- ^ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 203972". Aviation Safety Network. 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Military F - 15 fighter jet shot down in Yemen: Report". timesofislamabad.com. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018.
- ^ "محمد بن خالد on Twitter". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia says F-15 survived SAM hit over Yemen - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018.
- ^ "Coalition fighter jet unsuccessfully targeted by defense missile over Saada". Al Arabiya. 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 344.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 472.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 179.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 181.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 250.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 183.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 78.
- ^ IISS 2024, pp. 259−260.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 429.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 490.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 492.
- ^ IISS 2024, pp. 269−270.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 275.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 356.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 187.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 371.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 293.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 298.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 284.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 449.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 127.
- ^ IISS 2024, pp. 198, 200.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 134.
- ^ 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.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 387.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 527.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 213.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 216.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 456.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 326.
- ^ a b c "Arms transfer database". SIPRI. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Lennox, Duncan, ed. (1997). "AA-10 'Alamo' (R-27)". Jane's Air-Launched Weapons (35th ed.). Surrey: Jane's Information Group.
- ^ Cooper, Tom (2021). In the Claws of the Tomcat. US Navy F-14 Tomcats in Air Combat Against Iran and Iraq, 1987-2000. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-913118-75-4.
- Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (2024). The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-040-05115-3.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)