R-27 (air-to-air missile)

This article is about the air-to-air missile. For the submarine-launched ballistic missile, see R-27 Zyb. For other uses, see R27.

R-27
AA-10 Alamo
German Air Force MiG-29 firing an R-27
TypeBVR air-to-air missile; anti-radiation missile
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1983–present
Wars
Production history
ManufacturerVympel (Russia)
Artem (Ukraine)[1]
Unit costN/A
Specifications
Mass253 kg (558 lb)
Length4.08 m (13.4 ft)
Diameter230 mm (9.1 in)
Wingspan772 mm (30.4 in)
WarheadBlast/fragmentation or continuous rod
Warhead weight39 kg (86 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
Radar-proximity and impact fuzes
EngineHigh 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 altitudeN/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]
R-27 T

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]
R-27T (Second from bottom) and R-27R (First from bottom)
9B-1101K, inertial semi-active homing head for R-27R missiles.
  • 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]
Operators
  Current
  Former

Current

[edit]
A pair of R-27Rs installed on a Vietnamese Su-30MK2

Former

[edit]

See also

[edit]
Similar weapons

References

[edit]
Citations
  1. ^ "ARTEM". ARTEM. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b "R-27T1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b "R-27ET1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b "R-27R1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b "R-27ER1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC". eng.ktrv.ru. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC". eng.ktrv.ru. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC". eng.ktrv.ru. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Su-27 Flight Manual booklet-1. 2001. p. 129.
  13. ^ Su-27 Flight Manual booklet-1. 2001. p. 151.
  14. ^ Su-27 Flight Manual booklet-1. 2001. p. 150.
  15. ^ Smith, Charles. "Russian Mercenaries Flying For Ethiopia." Archived 27 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine WorldNetDaily, 18 July 2000. Retrieved: 24 October 2010.
  16. ^ "Russian military plane shot down Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft in Ukraine". Kyiv Post. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ Newdick, Thomas (13 October 2022). "Ukraine Claims MiG-29 Pilot Downed Five Drones Before Ejecting". The Drive.
  19. ^ Butowski, Piotr; Newdick, Thomas (4 October 2022). "Russian Aggressor Squadron Gets Its First Su-35S Fighter Jets". The Drive.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "Yemen rebels release F-15 'shoot down' footage - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018.
  22. ^ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 203972". Aviation Safety Network. 8 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Saudi Military F - 15 fighter jet shot down in Yemen: Report". timesofislamabad.com. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018.
  25. ^ "محمد بن خالد on Twitter". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Saudi Arabia says F-15 survived SAM hit over Yemen - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018.
  27. ^ "Coalition fighter jet unsuccessfully targeted by defense missile over Saada". Al Arabiya. 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  28. ^ IISS 2024, p. 344.
  29. ^ IISS 2024, p. 472.
  30. ^ IISS 2024, p. 179.
  31. ^ IISS 2024, p. 181.
  32. ^ IISS 2024, p. 250.
  33. ^ IISS 2024, p. 183.
  34. ^ IISS 2024, p. 78.
  35. ^ IISS 2024, pp. 259−260.
  36. ^ IISS 2024, p. 429.
  37. ^ IISS 2024, p. 490.
  38. ^ IISS 2024, p. 492.
  39. ^ IISS 2024, pp. 269−270.
  40. ^ IISS 2024, p. 275.
  41. ^ IISS 2024, p. 356.
  42. ^ IISS 2024, p. 187.
  43. ^ IISS 2024, p. 371.
  44. ^ IISS 2024, p. 293.
  45. ^ IISS 2024, p. 298.
  46. ^ IISS 2024, p. 284.
  47. ^ IISS 2024, p. 449.
  48. ^ IISS 2024, p. 127.
  49. ^ IISS 2024, pp. 198, 200.
  50. ^ IISS 2024, p. 134.
  51. ^ 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.
  52. ^ IISS 2024, p. 387.
  53. ^ IISS 2024, p. 527.
  54. ^ IISS 2024, p. 213.
  55. ^ IISS 2024, p. 216.
  56. ^ IISS 2024, p. 456.
  57. ^ IISS 2024, p. 326.
  58. ^ a b c "Arms transfer database". SIPRI. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  59. ^ 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.
  60. ^ 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
[edit]
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