Vympel R-77
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Template:Infobox Missile The Russian R-77 (RVV-AE) Missile (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) is a medium range, air-to-air, radar-guided missile system. It is comparable (and claimed to be superior in some aspects) 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.[1]
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. 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 has 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's main superiority compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM (or at least, the published data available on the main production versions, the 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 powerful 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.
The second advantage - 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. The weapon is purported to be able to handle a target maneuvering at up to 12Gs, a substantially higher rate than any manned fighter.
Critics claim these were used in lieu of regular fins due to the fact the Russians could not produce hydraulic actuators small enough and reliable enough to maneuver the missile using traditional control surfaces. In addition to this, some sources claim they also have a high drag coefficient reducing the overall range of the missile while the producer claims they have proven more efficient. Because of this, the "no escape" zone of the missile might be greatly reduced, especially against fighter aircraft.
The missile, when compared to the latest version of the AIM-120 series, is considered superior in range and maneuverability by many experts in the field, and inferior in some other aspects such as its ECCM capabilities.
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.
See also
External links
- Federation of American Scientists page
- GlobalSecurity.org page
- DATA CONCERNING RUSSIAN AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES
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