Vympel R-27 (missile)

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A Russian medium- to long-range air-to-air missile, the Vympel R-27 (NATO AA-10 ALAMO), comes in several versions:

  • R-27R with semi-active radar homing and command link and inertial guidance for midcourse update,
  • R-27T with infrared guidance
  • R-27ET extended-range infrared
  • R-27ER extended-range semi-active radar (R-27ER);
  • R-27EM long-range semi-active radar homing optimized for low altitude
  • R-27AE extended-range active radar; may be out of production[1]

Early versions have an engagement range of 10 km between the launching aircraft and target, with target speeeds up to 3500 kmph/2200 mph at altitudes between 0.02-27km, and the maximum vertical separation between the aircraft and the target is 10km..[2]

While the U.S. AIM-7 Sparrow did not have as wide a range of guidance modes, and is no longer produced in the air-to-air version, it is roughly comparable to earlier R-27 models. Current models have much more range than the AIM-7.[3] There is no known surface-to-air Russian variant comparable to the RIM-162 ESSM|RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile.

An unusual variant allows a rear-facing or "over-the-shoulder" launch of this radar-guided missile. [4] This was first deployed on the Su-32 ground attack aircraft.

Aircraft platforms

  • Known:
    • MiG-29/NATO FULCRUM
    • Su-27/NATO FLANKER
  • Possible new platforms/reftrofit
    • Su-35
    • MiG-21/NATO FISHBED
    • MiG-23/NATO FLOGGER
    • MiG-25/NATO FOXBAT.

References

  1. "Spetztekhnika Vympel AA-10 'Alamo' (R-27) (Russian Federation),", Janes' Electro-Optical Systems
  2. "MiG-29 Fulcrum High-Performance Combat Aircraft, Russia", Airforce Technology
  3. Kopp, Carlo (April 2005), "Air-to-air missiles in the Asia-Pacific", Defence Today
  4. Easy Tartar (18 August 1997), Su-30/32/34 Update Report