Russian Air Force 3.8

3.8. Weapon Systems

3.8.1. Aircraft Radar Systems and Homing Heads

The traditional designers of fighter radar systems have been NIIR or Nautshno-Issledovatelsky Institut Radiostroyeniya (former OKB-339) in Moscow and NIIP or Nautshno-Issledovatelsky Institut Priborostroyeniya (former OKB-15) in Zhukovsky. In the 1970s and 1980s they both operated under Phazotron, but in the end of the 1980s NIIP detached itself and became a private company specializing especially in air-to-air missile systems.

The current Russian radar systems for fighters have their origins in the year 1988 and in radar types N010 Zhuk for the MiG-29M and type N011 for Su-27M. These were the first Russian multi-mode radar systems capable of tracking both air and ground targets. They also facilitated map displays, zooming as well as terrain-following. The simultaneous target tracking capacity has risen from one to four and, in certain cases, to six. The NIIP head designer, Tamerlan Bekirbayev developed the radar to the Su-27M. NIIR was responsible for the MiG-29M radar under Yuri Guskov.

NIIP currently suspended two R&D projects: Zaslon-M radar for the MiG-31M interceptor and N014 radar for Mikoyan's 1.42 prototype. The company still has N011 and N011M radar systems for the Su-35/Su-37 aircraft on its fighter radar program. However, Phazotron has invested a lot in order to become the radar manufacturer for the Su-27 family of aircraft.

Leninets (former OKB-283) in St. Petersburg specializes in radar systems for maritime and attack missions. They include for example PNA-D for the Tu-22M3 aircraft, Obzor for the Tu-95MS and the Tu-160 and new radar with electronic scanning system for the Su-27IB. Berkut for the IL-38 and Korshun for the Tu-142 are examples of anti-submarine systems. Leninets has also manufactured helicopter and weather radar systems.

The main branch of activity of NIIP Vega, operating in Moscow, is space surveillance systems. However, as mentioned above, it has also manufactured AWACS radar systems as well as side-looking Sablan and Shompolin radar systems for the MiG-25RB and Shtykin for the Su-24MR.

Appendix 3 contains more data about Russian fighter radars (44).

The most important developers of homing heads for radar homing missiles are Agat in Moscow and Radar in St. Petersburg. Agat's 9B-110K is inertia/semi-active radar homing head for the radar version of the R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) air-to-air missile. The guidance is based on inertia and trajectory adjustment commands from the launcher aircraft by data link. The final phase system is semi-active radar homing. The 9B-1388 homing head is meant for very long-range air-to-air missiles. The initial guidance is based on inertia, in mid-phase guidance is semi-active and in the end fully active. The diameter of the homing head is equivalent with the R-33 (AA-9 Amos) missile, which belongs to the MiG-31 weapon arsenal. However, the head has evidently been developed for the advanced R-33 version or R-37 project. The 9B-1103M and 9B-1348 are almost identical with inertial and data link guidance and active final homing. Both are obviously results of the R-77 RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) program.

Radar's ARGS-35 is the homing head of the active anti-ship missile, Kh-35 ASM. It employs coherent mono-pulse technology and there are plenty of bandwidths available for simultaneous launch of several missiles without the risk of interference. In appendix 4 there is more information about Russian radar homing warheads (45).

The semi-active laser homing head 24N1 has been developed for the air-to-surface missiles Kh-25ML (AS-10 Karen), Kh-29L (AS-14 Kedge) and S-25L, which is a guided version of the S-25 rocket. Modifications facilitating target illumination and laser lock-on have been made to the Su-24M and MiG-27K Kaira fire control system. The homing head 27N has been developed for guided bombs KAB (korrektiruemaya aviabomba) -500L and KAB-1500L, weighing 500 and 1500 kilos, respectively (46).

The 36T infrared seeker was developed in the 1980s for the R-27T/T1 (AA-10B Alamo) missile facilitating front sector launches. Advanced version of the seeker has been placed in the current missile version in production, the R-27TE (AA-10D Alamo). The Mysl helmet sight system has been developed to make engagement of IR targets easier. Manufacturers try to attach a laser rangefinder to optical seekers (46).

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).

The missile production is seeking similar solution to its financing problems as the aircraft industry, i.e. taking advantage of the export markets. However, introduction of missiles is a slow and complicated process, since their integration to the parent aircraft systems requires a detailed and extensive test program. When the missiles are new, there are not very many types of aircraft into which they would already be fitted. In other words, the purchasing air forces have to make a deliberate system decision before buying Russian missiles from the free export market.

The Russian dogfight missile R-73 (AA-11 Archer) has attracted much international attention. The West, however, has first completed the development of the most important area in fighter tactics, Beyond Visual Range interception, and only after that it has moved on to improvement of IR technology. Also knowledge gained through experience showing that even good weapons are not worth much, if the users are not well trained, may have had an impact on the situation assessment. For example, Iraq could not down a single allied aircraft with its R-73 missiles (6). Appendix 5 gives more information about Russian air-to-air missiles (48,50).

3.8.3. Air-to-surface Missiles and Self-Guided Bombs

The Soviet Union started air-to-surface missile production with large AS-1 Kennel, AS-2 Kipper, AS-3 Kangaroo, AS-4 Kitchen, AS-5 Kelt and AS-6 Kingfish missiles. They could only be used on bomber class aircraft. Gradually the Soviet Union also started to develop smaller missiles, which could be used on attack aircraft too. The starting point was the RS-2 (AA-1 Alkali) air-to-air missile, the modifications of which resulted in the Kh-66 air-to-surface missile in 1968. Its successors were the Kh-23 in 1974 and the Kh-25 AS-10 Karen in 1975. The production of the Kh-25 missile, designed by Zvezda Design Bureau, began with two versions, the Kh-25ML equipped with semi-active laser guidance and the Kh-25MR with radio guidance. The Kh-25ML requires also using a laser illumination container. A third missile type built upon the same warhead and engine is the radar homing Kh-25MP (AS-12 Kegler), which entered service in 1978. It has been used for instance on the MiG-27, Su-17, Su-20, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25 and Tu-26M aircraft.

In the beginning of the 1980s the line of development described above culminated in the radio-controlled Kh-23MR (AS-7 Kerry) missile. For instance the MiG-21, MiG-27, Su17/20/22, Su-24 and Su-25 have used it as well as Jak-38 against naval targets. The R&D on a radar homing missile, which began already in the 1960s, lead to the Kh-28 (AS-9 Kyle), which entered service in the beginning of the 1970s. It is suited for instance to Su-17/20/22, Su-24, Tu-16, Tu-22M, MiG-25 and MiG-27 aircraft. This missile was being used also in certain Warsaw Pact countries and it was exported to Iraq and Libya. The advanced version Kh-58 (AS-11 Kilter) was introduced to service towards the end of the 1970s. It was evidently designed by Raduga Design Bureau and it features seekers operating on several wavelengths. Suitable user aircraft include the MiG-25, MiG-27, Su-17/22, Su-24 and Su-25TK. Application on the Su-35 is also being planned. The new Kh-58 version is also offered to export; it specializes on anti-ship radars and promises longer operation ranges. The flight guidance system is probably inertial.

The first Russian air-to-surface missile using TV guidance observed by the West was the Kh-59 (AS-13 Kingbolt). It was displayed to the public in the Dubai Air Show in 1991, although the development had actually began already in the 1970s and it had been introduced to service in 1981. In conjunction with the missile Russia uses the APK-9 data transfer pod, which is 4 meters long and weighs 260 kilos. The Su-24 is capable of carrying two Kh-59 missiles.

The KH-29 (AS-14 Kedge) entered service in the 1980s and there are two versions of the missile, the Kh-29L and the Kh-29TE. The missile employs television guidance system and an infrared sensor has been added later for nighttime operations. The latter version has a bigger warhead. There have also been unconfirmed reports about a third version, radar homing Kh-29MP. The Kh-29 has been integrated to the MiG-27, Su-17/22, Su-24 and Su-25 and to Iraqi Mirage F1 fighters. The Russians use the APK-9 as the data transfer pod and the Iraqis the French Thomson-CFS ATLIS.

Raduga's Kh-55/RKV-500/Kh-65 (AS-15 Kent) has been in service since 1984. It is an air-launched cruise missile, which greatly resembles the US Navy's BGM-109 Tomahawk. The AS-15A is designed for the Tu-95 Bear H and the AS-15B for the rotating missile containers of the Tu-160 Blackjack. Test flights have also been made with modified Tu-26 (Tu-22M3) Backfires. The missile has inertial guidance with integrated terrain-avoidance updating. The Kh-65E equipped with conventional 410-kg warhead was introduced in 1992. The 6-meter missile weighs 1,250 kg and its operation range is approximately 250 km.

The Kh-15 (AS-16 Kickback) started to gradually replace the AS-4 Kitchen missiles in the year 1988. The missile, originally designed for air defense purposes, is launched from similar rotating launch capsules as the AS-15 missiles. Raduga has developed two versions with a conventional warhead, which are evidently intended to the international market. The Kh-15A is equipped with an active radar homing head and it is designed for anti-shipping missions. The Kh-15P features a passive radar homing head. The fixed rocket engine provides the missile with Mach 5 velocity and 150 kilometer range. Also the anti-shipping missile Kh-15C, approved for export in 1993, has active radar homing head and has been integrated to the Su-27K and Su-27IB aircraft.

Zvezda has designed the Kh-31 (AS-17 Krypton) missile, which was first displayed in 1992. It has an integrated rocket/ram air engine with four air intakes. It has been manufactured in anti-ship version Kh-31A and radar homing Kh-31P. Both can be used in the MiG-27, MiG-29, Su-27M, Su-27K and Su-27IB. Raduga displayed the Kh-59M AS-18 Kazoo for the first time in 1993. It is a modified version of the AS-13 equipped with TV guidance system and the APK-9 pod. Also an anti-ship version with 200-kilometer range is on the design board. It would feature inertial guidance system and active radar homing head.

The strategic AS-19 Koala cruise missile has not been completed and the development has evidently been discontinued. The experiences from the project are utilized when developing smaller and cheaper cruise missile alternatives.

Raduga's ASM-MSS, or the Kh-41, was brought into the public in 1992. The missile is based on the 3M-80 SS-N-22 Sunburn and it has an integrated rocket/ramjet power plant. The range is 150 - 250 km. The guidance systems are inertia as well as active or passive radar homing head.

Zvezda started to design the Kh-35 in 1987 and displayed the missile for the first time in 1992. However, it has yet not entered operational use. It greatly resembles the American Harpoon missile and possible user aircraft include the MiG-29, Tu-142M (Bear F) and Su-33.

NPO Mash is developing a naval missile Yakhont, which weighs 2.5 tons. Initial thrust is provided by a rocket and the flight continues with a ramjet engine. The cruise velocity is Mach 2 - 2.5 and the range 120 - 300 km. The guidance system is inertia and active radar homing head. Also Novator has a plan to make an air-to-surface version of the Alpha anti-shipping missile and NPO has displayed the APR-3E air-launched anti-submarine missile.

As far as smaller missiles are concerned, some reports have been heard of the S-25L project, which is a version of the S-25 rocket equipped with laser homing head. In its light missile arsenal the Su-25 has the anti-tank missile 9M114 AT-6 Spiral which is radio-command-controlled and the VIKHR AT-9 which has laser guidance. The latter has 4-kilometer range.

Among the first guided bombs in the Soviet Union was the UB-2000F, which weighed 2 tons and featured a TV seeker. It was an anti-ship bomb and the user aircraft included the Il-28, Tu-14 and Tu-16 bombers.

GNNP from Moscow started development of new guided bombs in the year 1972. American systems obtained from Vietnam, such as Walleye and Paveway, greatly helped the development. The KAB-500L (500 kg) was introduced in 1975. Towards the end of the decade it was followed by KAB-1500L (1500 kg) and KAB-500Kr (500 kg), which have the same TV seeker as the Kh-59 and Kh-29TE missiles. These bombs have also been offered to export since the beginning of the 1990s. The IR version's type designation is reported to be KAB-500R. Advanced version of the KAB-1500Kr is equipped with a TV seeker (53,54,55).

According to the Commander of the Russian Air Force there is still one weakness in this impressive air-to-ground arsenal; the Russian Air Force lacks an all weather precision ammunition. According to him this was experienced also in the Chenhnyan war, and the development of that kind of armament is one of the most important projects among the Russian planning bureaus.(83)

Appendix 6 contains information concerning Russian air-to-surface missiles.

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Russian Air Force, Chapter 3

3.8. Weapon Systems