Vympel R-77
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| R-77/RVV-AE (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) | |
|---|---|
| R-77/RVV-AE (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder)
| |
| Basic data | |
| Function | Medium-range, air-to-air tactical missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Entered service | 1994 (R-77) |
| General characteristics | |
| Engine | Solid fuel rocket motor (R-77), air-breathing ramjet (R-77M1) |
| Launch mass | 175 kg (R-77), 226 kg (R-77M1) |
| Length | 3.6 m (R-77) |
| Diameter | 200 mm
<tr><td>Wingspan</td><td>350 mm</td></tr> |
| Speed | over Mach 4 (R-77) |
| Range | 90 km (R-77), 175 km (R-77M1)<tr><td>Flying altitude</td><td>5m-25 km (16.5-82,000 ft)</td></tr><tr><td>Warhead</td><td>30 kg HE, fragmenting</td></tr><tr><td>Guidance</td><td>Inertial with mid-course update and terminal active radar homing</td></tr><tr><td>Fuzes</td><td>laser proximity fuze</td></tr>
<tr><td>Launch platform</td><td>Aircraft
|
The Russian R-77 (RVV-AE) Missile (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) is a medium range, air-to-air, radar-guided missile system. The R-77 is claimed by some to be equal or superior to the United States AIM-120 AMRAAM system. The weapon is similar enough to the American weapon that it has been nicknamed "AMRAAMski" in the West.<ref name="fas">Federation of American Scientists - "AA-12 ADDER R-77". Retrieved on 2006-08-19.</ref>
Contents |
[edit] Development
R-77 development began in 1982 with its first flight in 1984. It entered service in small numbers soon after this but production was slow until Vympel was given this task in 1993.
[edit] Description
The missile features four mid-body fins and four unique lattice-like rear control surfaces (similar devices are used on the R-400 Oka). The basic version of this missile is said to have a maximum range of 90 km (55 mi). Upon launch, the missile is inertia-guided with updates from the launch platform aircraft. As the missile comes within 20 km (12.42 mi) of its target, the missile is guided by a nose-mounted terminal active radar. A product-improvement of the R-77 Adder is in the works, codenamed the R-77M1, and will feature a ramjet propulsion device. This heavier missile system will have a much greater range, and will surely be the primary beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air weapon in upcoming fifth generation Russian frontline fighters.
The R-77 is also being developed to match developments abroad. The RVV-AE-PD (often referred to as the R-77M) is under development and has the four side fins replaced with ram jets. In addition to a new loft trajectory, it is expected to have a range exceeding 120km and limited primarily by the launch platform's radar.
To date, the R-77 cannot be used by most of the Russian Air force due to the fact that many of their aircraft lack the necessary avionics and radar upgrades to support this missile. The same is true for The PLAAF of China, who licence build the Su-27. The newer Su-30MKK has a N001 (Su-27 radar) with a digital bypass channel incorporating a mode allowing it to use R-77s. Newer Russian aircraft from the MiG-29S (N019M radar) onward are not restricted in this regard.
[edit] Comparison with AIM-120 AMRAAM
The missile, when compared to the AIM-120A, AIM-120B, and AIM-120C, is considered superior in range by most experts in the field<ref name="fas"/>, and considered by some to be more maneuverable although this is strongly debated. The R-77 is considered inferior in electronic-related aspects such as ECCM, due to the general lag in Russia's electronics industry.
[edit] Range
The R-77's main advantage over the AIM-120 AMRAAM (or at least, according to published data available on the earlier AIM-120A and AIM-120B), is in range. The longer range is because the R-77 is a larger 200 mm vs 178 mm (8 vs 7 in), heavier 175 vs 150 kg (386 vs 335 lb) missile than the AMRAAM and contains more propellant. Like most AAM weapons, the claimed range is for a non-maneuvering target, at a high altitude, and probably on a head on aspect with a respectable closing rate. Lower altitudes, rear aspect, or maneuvering targets will all reduce this range.
However, the planned upgrade of the AIM-120, the AIM-120D, is to have a much greater (+50%) range and no-escape zone which is believed to exceed that of the standard R-77.
[edit] Maneuverability
The missile's maneuverability relies on the "potato masher" fins at the rear. Proponents claim the R-77's configuration provides superior maneuverability than the conventional deltas used on for example the AIM-120<ref>Russian Aviation Page: Russian Air-to-Air missiles. New Case of Missile Gap?. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.</ref>. The weapon is purported to be able to handle a target maneuvering at up to 12g,<ref>Russian Air Force, Appendix 5: DATA CONCERNING RUSSIAN AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.</ref> a substantially higher rate than any manned fighter.
[edit] References
<references />
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Federation of American Scientists page
- GlobalSecurity.org page
- DATA CONCERNING RUSSIAN AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES
| Russian Air-to-Air Missiles |
|---|
| AA-1 'Alkali' | AA-2 'Atoll' | AA-3 'Anab' | AA-4 'Awl' | AA-5 'Ash' | AA-6 'Acrid' | AA-7 'Apex' | AA-8 'Aphid' | AA-9 'Amos' | AA-10 'Alamo' | AA-11 'Archer' | AA-12 'Adder' | AA-X-13 'Arrow' |
fr:Vympel R-77 ko:빔펠 R-77 nl:R-77 pl:R-77 (pocisk rakietowy)
