Aircraft missile R-27 (air-to-air medium-range guided missile): description, carriers, performance characteristics

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 18:37

The R-27 aircraft missile belongs to the most common representative of the category of domestic air-to-air guided missiles. Modifications combine most varieties of guidance systems, as well as a high-tech configuration of rudders with aerodynamic blocks. Due to its design features, this weapon significantly surpassed the characteristics of the foreign competitor AIM-7, comparable in flight performance to the latest samples of the AIM-120C type.

Design & Development

The development of the R-27 aircraft missile began back in 1972 at the Vympel State Design Bureau. It was planned to arm the ammunition in question with the latest Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters of that time. A year later, the design concept was considered at a meeting at the MAP with the participation of representatives of leading design bureaus and specialized research institutes.

As a result, permission was officially issued for the production of a modular medium-range missile, followed by approval in the winter of 1974. Design in formsketches were conducted on a competitive basis between "Vympel" and "Lightning". In May 1975, the victory was awarded to the MKB, after which a team of engineers led by P. Dementiev began to develop a new ammunition. The first prototypes were tested by launch from a modernized MiG-23-ML fighter. Serial production began in 1984, three years later, the "product 470" was adopted.

Description of the R-27 aircraft missile

Initially, the model was developed taking into account the normal scheme of aircraft aerodynamics. Subsequently, it was changed to a "duck" configuration, based on an asymmetric cruciform placement of work surfaces. Technically complex aerodynamic rudders were introduced into the design. These elements have a significant elongation, a variable configuration sweep (at the front edge) and a tapered root compartment.

Such a scheme (of the “butterfly” type) made it possible to use the rudders in the differential mode not only for controlling and stabilizing the flight in terms of the main indicators, but also for a similar action along the roll channel. Design features guaranteed a stable roll moment coefficient over the entire available range of numbers. Accordingly, the reverse phenomenon, characteristic of other analogues created according to the “duck” system, was leveled.

Design features

Destabilizers are provided on the body of the R-27 aircraft missile, in front of the rudders of the homing heads. The margin of static stability was provided by these elements, which changed their own area when changingwarheads. The radar-guided version is designed with combined adjustments to maximize the ballistic advantages of the missile.

They exceeded almost 2.5 times the range of capturing the target with the head. That is, at the first stage of the trajectory, inertial guidance to the target is used with radio correction of the speed and position factors, taking into account the target's maneuver. At the final stage, the main role was assigned to homing.

Identical rail and ejection launchers are used for suspension on the Su-33 and other carrier aircraft. The first variation of the APU-470 is designed to install ammunition under the wings of an aircraft, and the catapult serves as a working compartment under the wings and fuselage. It is worth noting that the main construction material is titanium (for the case) and reinforced steel (for the engine shell).

Destination

R-27 medium-range guided missiles are designed to intercept aircraft and helicopters of all varieties, as well as to eliminate them. In addition, said weapon is effective in the following cases:

• destruction of UAVs and cruise missiles in air battles at long and medium distances;
• when carriers act at any time of the day in a group and autonomous way;
• hit targets from any direction, against the background of land and water, regardless of the information, fire and maneuvering counteraction of the enemy.

The ammunition in question is delivered to military units in partassembled, with rudders and fenders removed.

Modifications of the R-27 aircraft missile

This weapon is made in several versions. Between themselves, they differ in the type of guidance heads (semi-active type of radar action (PARGS)) and thermal version (TGS). In addition, they have different configurations of propulsion units that have a standard or increased energy potential. Modifications with TGS are supplemented with letter indices "T" or "ET", versions with PARGS - "R" and "ER".

It is worth noting that the letter "E" stands for "power-armed" model. Many mistakenly attributed the decryption as an "export" variation. Such instances have a solid fuel power plant of increased power with an increased diameter compared to the fuselage compartment.

Some general indicators of all modifications of the R-27 aircraft missile:

• warhead - core:
• fuse type - non-contact/radar/contact;
• warhead weight - 39 kg;
• radius when activating the fuse - up to 6 m;
• engine - with one mode (RDTT R-300);
• power unit on modifications "E" - has an increased initial thrust with a further decrease (RDTT R-300E);
• weight of power plants - 95/192, 5 kg.

Parameter table

The performance characteristics of R-27 aircraft missiles differ depending on the modification and purpose. The table below will help you understand the differences between alltypes of said weapons. Dashes mean that the indicators are identical with the “P” option.

TTX	R-27R	27T	27TE	27RE	27 AE
Length (m)	4, 08	3, 79	4, 5	4, 78	4, 78
Wing span (m)	0, 77	-	0, 8	0, 8	0, 8
Rocket weight (kg)	253, 0	254, 0	343, 0	350, 0	350, 0
Warhead mass (kg)	39, 0	-	-	-	39, 0
Warhead configuration	Rod option	-	-	-	-
Launch range (km)	80, 0	70, 0	120, 0	130, 0	130, 0
Speed indicator (M)	4, 5	-	-	-	-
Type of guidance system	Combined (semi-active radar with inertial correction)	Thermal all-angle design	Thermal, taking into account all angles	-	GOS with programming mode and inertial correction
R-27 missile carriers	Su-35/27/33, MiG-29, Yak-141	-	-	-	-

Next, consider each modification in more detail.

Versions 27-P

The specified model is a kind of regular rocket, which has inertial control with correction through the use of certain radio frequencies. In addition, the guidance system includes a semi-active radar unit, which is activated at the final stage of the flight.

The 9B-1101K GOS guidance system is also being developed by the designers of the Agat Research Institute. The specified node is focused on capturing objects at altitudes from 20 to 25,000 meters. At the same time, the maximum overestimation or underestimation of the target at speeds up to 3500 km / h is 10 km. It is allowed to start a pair of charges on two targets. The readiness of the GOS for use is ensured one second after receiving the target indication from the control unit of the carrier type Su-33 or MiG-29.

R-27T series

A distinctive feature of this modification is the presence of an infrared homing element. The design of the rocket includes the following components and parts:

1. In the bow compartment under the fairing there is an infrared seeker detector.
2. The head hardware is located in the next part of the case.
3. The head end is equipped with four canard-configured rudders.
4. The warhead is installed behind the rudder power drive compartment. There is also a place for a fuse.

The hull is mostly occupied by a rocket power unit. Continuous operation is 3 hours (together with the photodetector cooling circuit turned on).

R-27 ER and R-27 ET

The “ER” air-to-air guided missile has a significantly increased flight range. Compared to the base model, it has large overall dimensions and weight. Semi-active radar seeker guarantees the destruction of objects in adverse weather conditions, regardless of natural and artificial interference.

The R-27 TE series also has a long range, dimensions and weight. Its important advantage is its use in aircraft launchers for the elimination of all types of combat aircraft, including highly maneuverable aircraft and cruise missiles. At the same time, interference, weather conditions, the background of the earth or water surface, and the guidance angle do not affect the effectiveness of the action.

Models 27AE and 27P

The R-27AE version is a medium-range guided missile, the main purpose of which is the fight against various air targets. GOS includes a combinationactive radar and inertial correction system. These nodes are activated in turn, depending on the phase of the flight. The GOS operates on the principle of triggering from receiving a target indication by the radars of carrier aircraft or ground-based anti-aircraft installations. A monopulse multifunctional guidance system developed at the Agat Research Institute is capable of guaranteeing the search, capture, tracking and destruction of designated targets.

Modes of the specified GOS:

• autonomous work on initial objects, which does not require location support of other radars in flight;
• inertially corrected program with radar support;
• coding mode, which allows the introduction of updated programs.

Another interesting modification - R-27P - refers to passive weapons. The head is aimed at the target, focusing on working radar stations, including AWACS devices. The design of this version was carried out by MKB Kulon, the next stages of creation were carried out by Avtomatika software, which is considered the leader in the development of passive radars. At this enterprise, all domestic systems of passive guidance heads for surface-to-air missiles were created. Since this design had not been developed before, the work was significantly delayed. The pilot project R-27P was defended by the designers in 1981, factory and flight testing was carried out only from 1984

Briefly about carriers

Transportation and launch of R-27 missiles, which according to NATO standards were called AA 10 Alamo, were carried out by several domestic fighters.

Among them:

1. Su-27 - Soviet, and then Russian fourth-generation multirole fighter. The first flight took place in 1977, and the operation has been carried out since 1985. This model is one of the main aircraft of the Russian Air Force, designed to obtain military superiority in the air.
2. Su-33 is another representative of the fourth generation of Russian fighters, which has been in service since 1998, and is distinguished by its high payload capacity and flight range. Feature - the ability to perform the functions of a tanker aircraft.
3. Su-34. Multifunctional fighter-bomber, focused on defeating and bombing ground targets, confronting enemy targets in the air. Features - unique combat characteristics and the availability of innovative devices to counter electronic systems.
4. Su-35. This military aircraft is also known as the Su-27M, and corresponds to the parameters of fifth-generation fighters.
5. Yak-141 is an all-weather multi-purpose military aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability. The first flight was made in 1987
6. MiG-29. Multirole fighter of the fourth generation, put into service in 1983.