R-27 (air-to-air missile)

The Vympel R-27 (NATO reporting name AA-10 Alamo) is a family of air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union. 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 standard medium range air-to-air missile even though they have the more advanced R-77.

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
TypeMedium-range, air-to-air BVR missile; anti-radiation missile
Place of originSoviet Union
Ukraine
Service history
In service1983–present
WarsIran–Iraq War
Eritrean–Ethiopian War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
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
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, Su-57, local conversion as a surface-to-air missile in Yemen[8]
R-27 T
R-73Ae, R-27R1(AeR1), R-27T1(AeT1), and Kh-59MAe at MACS, Zhukovski, 1999.

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, though the production license was bought from Ukraine instead of Russia.

Variants
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).
  • 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

Ethiopia and Eritrea

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 the MiG that the damaged aircraft eventually crashed on landing.

Russia and Ukraine

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

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
Map with R-27 operators in blue with former operators in red

Current operators

Former operators

See also
Similar weapons

References
Citations
  1. "ARTEM". ARTEM. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  2. "R-27T1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  3. "R-27ET1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  4. "R-27R1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  5. "R-27ER1". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  6. 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. 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. "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. 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. 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. "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org.
  29. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). "Chapter Six: Asia". The Military Balance. 120 (1): 255. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707967. S2CID 219627149.
  30. "India buys thousand Russian air-launched missiles". airrecognition.com.
  31. "India, Russia sign Rs 1,500 crore deal for air-to-air missiles for Su-30 fighters". www.aninews.in.
  32. "India signs USD700 million deal with Russia for 1,000 additional air-to-air missiles | Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
  33. Tincopa, Amaru (November–December 2021). "MiG-29 over the skies of the condor". Revista Pucará. No. 10. p. 20.
  34. Banković, Živojin (3 May 2022). "Kako je lovac postao višenamenski borbeni avion: Detalji novog naoružanja na premijeri modernizovanih MiG-ova 29SM". tangosix.rs.
  35. 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.
  36. Newdick, Thomas (April 2022). "Ukrainian MiG-29 Pilot's Front-Line Account Of The Air War Against Russia". The Drive. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  37. 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
  • Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
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