R-73 (missile)#Variants

The R-73 was developed to replace the earlier R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') weapon for short-range use by Soviet fighter aircraft. Work began in 1973 initially as the K-73,{{refn|Soviet and Russian missile under development are given the K prefix, which becomes the R prefix when the weapon becomes operational.|group=N}} operational in 1982 and the first missiles formally entered service in 1984.

The R-73 is an infrared homing (heat-seeking) missile with a sensitive, cryogenic cooled seeker with a substantial "off-boresight" capability: the seeker can detect targets up to 40° off the missile's centerline.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vympel-reveals-previously-classified-air-to-air-missiles-21026|title=Vympel reveals previously classified air-to-air missiles|publisher=Reed Business Information Limited|access-date=23 December 2014}} It can be targeted by a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) allowing pilots to designate targets by looking at them. Minimum engagement range is about 300 meters, with maximum aerodynamic range of nearly {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} at altitude. The weapon is used by the MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27/33, Su-34 and Su-35, and can be carried by newer versions of the MiG-21, MiG-23, Sukhoi Su-24, and Su-25 aircraft.{{cite web |url=http://www.uuaz.ru/production/su25ub/su25ub_wpn_e.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531061608/http://www.uuaz.ru/production/su25ub/su25ub_wpn_e.html |archive-date=31 May 2009 |title=uuaz.ru - Su-25UB Combat-trainer aircraft - Armament}}

Shortly after German reunification in 1990, Germany and other ex-Warsaw Pact countries found themselves with large stockpiles of the R-73 missiles or AA-11 Archers as designated by NATO, and had concluded that the R-73/AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated by the West.{{cite web|last=Menon|first=KB|title=Evolution of the Air-To-Air Missiles: Options for the IAF|date=17 July 2012 |url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/evolution-of-the-air-to-air-missiles-options-for-the-iaf/|access-date=11 June 2014}} In particular, the R-73 was found to be both far more maneuverable, and far more capable in terms of seeker acquisition and tracking than the latest AIM-9 Sidewinder.{{cite web|title=Locking range|url=http://www.cassindia.com/inner_page.php?id=26&&task=research|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329112754/http://www.cassindia.com/inner_page.php?id=26&&task=research|url-status=dead}} This realization started the development of newer missiles to help compete, including the ASRAAM, IRIS-T and AIM-9X.

According to an interview in 2022 with a Ukrainian pilot, the R-73 does not track well in clouds. This makes the missile difficult to use against Shahed-136 drones, forcing pilots to rely on their 30 mm cannon.{{cite web|title=Ukrainian MiG-29 Pilot Talks About AGM-88 HARM & Shahed-136 UAVs; Explains Why Is It Hard To Counter Iranian Drones|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/inside-ukraines-desperate-fight-against-drones-with-mig-29-pilot-juice|access-date=2022-12-22|date=13 December 2022}}

Further developments include the R-74 (izdeliye 740) and its export variant RVV-MD. These are expected to supplement previous variants of the R-73 in service.Barrie, Douglas and Pyadushkin, Maxim. "R-77, R-73 Missile Upgrades Emerge". Aviation Week. 13 August 2009

An improved version of the R-74, the R-74M (izdeliye 750) features fully digital and re-programmable systems, and is intended for use on the MiG-35, MiG-29K/M/M2, Su-27SM, Su-30MK and Su-35S. A further upgrade, known as the R-74M2 (izdeliye 760), is intended for the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft. This missile has an inertial navigation system, a smaller cross-section with the fin span reduced to {{convert|434|mm|in|abbr=on}} to fit in internal weapon bays, has IRCCM (infrared counter-countermeasures), and is designed to match the performance of the AIM-9X, IRIS-T and the ASRAAM. The R-74M2 completed trials in 2019, and its export variant RVV-MD2 was unveiled in 2023.{{cite news |last=Butowski |first=Piotr |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense/missile-defense-weapons/model-reveals-new-russian-air-air-missile-sukhoi-su-57 |title=Model Reveals New Russian Air-To-Air Missile For The Sukhoi Su-57 |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=Informa |date=7 February 2024}} A clean sheet design, the K-MD (izdeliye 300), is expected to supersede the R-74M2 in the future.Butowski, Piotr. Russia and CIS Observer. 17 June 2007."Vympel plans to develop air-to-air missiles for Russia's PAK FA fighter". Jane's Missiles and Rockets. 19 May 2006

File:AA-11 Archer missile.PNG

On 24 February 1996, two Cessna 337s of the Brothers to the Rescue were shot down while flying over international waters 10 nautical miles outside of Cuban airspace by a Cuban Air Force MiG-29UB.{{cite web|url = http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/cases/86-99.html |title = Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena y Pablo Morales v. Republica de Cuba, Case 11.589, Report No. 86/99, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.106 Doc. 3 rev. at 586 (1999) |access-date = 2019-04-01 |last = University of Minnesota Human Rights Library |year = 1999}} Each of the aircraft was downed by an R-73 missile.{{cite web|url=http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/cases/86-99.html|title=Cuba11.589|access-date=10 September 2016}}

During the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from May 1998 to June 2000, R-73 missiles were used in combat by both Ethiopian Su-27s and Eritrean MiG-29s. It was the IR-homing R-60 and the R-73 that were used in all but two of the kills.

On 18 March 2008, a MiG-29 Fulcrum of the Russian Air Force intercepted a Georgian Elbit Hermes 450 UAV over Abkhazia. The MiG-29 destroyed the UAV with an R-73 missile.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNpABtIKERg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/dNpABtIKERg |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Russian jet shoots Georgian drone © Reuters|work=YouTube|date=21 April 2008 |access-date=23 December 2014}}{{cbignore}}

On 27 February 2019, Indian officials claims that an IAF MiG-21 Bison had successfully engaged and shot down a Pakistani F-16 with an R-73E missile during the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes.{{cite web |title=R-73 missile: The weapon with which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman brought down Pakistan's F-16 jet but they couldn't supply any evidences to support their claims, U.S. count shows no Pakistan F-16s shot down in Indian battle|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/r-73-missile-the-weapon-with-which-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-brought-down-pakistans-f-16-jet-2184683.html |website=Zee News India |date=2 March 2019 |publisher=Essel Group |access-date=8 May 2020}} Pakistan denied the loss of its aircraft.[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27331/indian-radar-data-that-supposedly-proves-they-downed-an-f-16-is-far-from-irrefutable Indian Radar Data That Supposedly Proves They Downed An F-16 Is Far From "Irrefutable"], 8 April 2019, The War Zone

On 7 May 2022, Ukrainian Colonel Ihor Bedzai was killed when his Mi-14 helicopter was shot down by a Russian Su-35. It is reported that after missing its first shots using its 30 mm cannon, the Su-35 resorted to launching an R-73, which destroyed the helicopter.{{Cite web |title=Russian Sukhoi Fighter 'Hunts Down' A Ukrainian Mi-14PS Chopper; Incident Gets Caught On Camera — Watch |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/russian-sukhoi-fighter-hunts-down-a-ukrainian-mi-14-chopper/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=www.eurasiantimes.net|date=9 June 2022 }}{{Cite web |title=A brave Ukrainian colonel died |url=https://thetimeshub.in/a-brave-ukrainian-colonel-died/3212/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=www.thetimeshub.in}}

According to an unconfirmed report, Serbia developed and used a ground-launched version of the R-73 in 1999. Two missiles were fitted on a modified M53/59 Praga chassis with the twin 30 mm cannons replaced by two launch rails.{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}

The Houthi movement's Missile Research and Development Centre and the Missile Force have tried to fire R-27/R-60/R-73/R-77, from Yemeni Air Force stocks, against Saudi aircraft. The issue for the R-27R and R-77 is the lack of a radar to support their guidance to the target. However the R-27T, R-73 and R-60 are infrared heat seeking missiles. They only require power, liquid nitrogen "to cool the seeker head", and a pylon to launch the missile. These missiles have been paired with a "US made FLIR Systems ULTRA 8500 turrets". However the drawback is that these missiles are intended to be fired from one jet fighter against another. So the motors and fuel load are smaller than a purpose-built surface to air missile. Only one near miss has been verified and that was a R-27T fired at Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA.{{Cite web |title=Here's how Houthis were able to deploy R-27/R-60/R-73/R-77 Air-to-Air Missiles as SAMs against Saudi-led Coalition Aircraft |url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/heres-how-houthis-were-able-to-deploy-r-27-r-60-r-73-r-77-air-to-air-missiles-as-sams-against-saudi-led-coalition-aircraft/ |author= Dario Leone| date=2019-07-17 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=theaviationgeekclub.com}}

According to the War Zone the Houthi designation for modified R-73s is Thaqib-1. Ground-based improvised infrared sensors systems and radars are believed to be used to help the missiles acquire and track their targets.

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainians have repurposed their inventory of R-73s for the surface-to-air role, mounting them on a large variety of platforms including the Gravehawk, modified 9K33 Osas, Humvees, and naval drones as well.

On 6 May 2024, Russia released footage of a Ka-29 helicopter using gunfire on a Sea Baby naval drone. The drone was armed with a R-73 infrared missile, to defend it from helicopters. One missile had been fired, at a Mi-8 helicopter, but missed before the drone was destroyed by gunfire.{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title= Ukrainian Drone Boats Now Armed With Adapted Air-To-Air Missiles|url= https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukrainian-drone-boats-now-armed-with-adapted-air-to-air-missiles |website=The War Zone |date= 6 May 2024 |accessdate=10 May 2024}} In December of the same year, Ukraine released footage of a Magura V5 naval drone firing an R-73 missile and hitting a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), the Mi-8 was shot down, while a second helicopter was damaged but managed to return to base.{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boat Shot Down A Russian Mi-8 Helicopter With A Surface-To-Air Missile |url=https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-claims-its-drone-boat-shot-down-a-russian-mi-8-helicopter-with-a-surface-to-air-missile |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=31 December 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Axe |first1=David |title=One Of Ukraine's Drone Boats Just Shot Down A Russian Helicopter |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/12/31/one-of-ukraines-drone-boats-just-shot-down-a-russian-helicopter/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Forbes |date=31 December 2024 |language=en}}

File:RVV-MD2 AAM mockup at Dubai Airshow 2023.jpg

• R-73 − Standard model with ±40° off-boresight.
• R-73E − Export version of the standard model with ±45° off-boresight. The missile has a maximum range of {{convert|30|km|mi}} with 8 kg warhead.{{cite web |url= http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/aerospace-systems/air-to-air-missile/r-73e/|title = R-73E

|publisher= Rosoboronexport |access-date= 2 February 2020}}

• R-74 (izdeliye 740) − Improved model with ±60° off-boresight.
• RVV-MD − Export model of the R-74 with ±75° off-boresight. The missile has a maximum range of {{convert|40|km|mi}} with 8 kg warhead.{{Cite web |title=Production |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production/military_production/air-to-air_missiles/rvv-md.html |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=eng.ktrv.ru}}
• R-74M (izdeliye 750) − Improved model with ±75° off-boresight.
• R-74M2 (izdeliye 760) − Further improved variant with reduced cross-section for the Sukhoi Su-57. The missile has an inertial navigation system and fin span reduced to {{convert|434|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Implements IRCCM.
• RVV-MD2 − Export model of the R-74M2.
• Thaqib-1 − Houthi modification into a surface-to-air missile.
• Sea Dragon − Ukrainian modification for use in unmanned surface vehicles.

File:R-73 operators.png

• {{flag|Algeria}}{{sfn|IISS|2025c|page=330}}
• {{flag|Angola}}{{sfn|IISS|2025e|page=454}}
• {{ARM}}{{sfn|IISS|2025a|page=169}}
• {{AZE}}{{sfn|IISS|2025a|page=171}}
• {{flag|Bangladesh}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=236}}
• {{flag|Belarus}}{{sfn|IISS|2025a|page=173}}
• {{flag|Bulgaria}}{{sfn|IISS|2025|page=124}}
• {{flag|China}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=246}}
• {{flag|Cuba}}{{sfn|IISS|2025d|page=413}}
• {{flag|Egypt}}{{sfn|IISS|2025c|page=336}}
• {{flag|Eritrea}}{{sfn|IISS|2025e|page=472}}
• {{flag|Ethiopia}}{{sfn|IISS|2025e|page=473}}
• {{flag|Georgia}} − Used on Su-25KM Scorpion{{cite news |title=Israel targets Georgian Su-25 stock |url=https://aircosmosinternational.com/article/israel-targets-georgian-su-25-stock-3104 |access-date=3 May 2025 |work=Air & Cosmos |date=1 March 2021 |language=fr}}
• {{flag|India}} − Used by the Naval Air Arm and Air Force{{sfn|IISS|2025b|pages=255−256}}
• {{flag|Indonesia}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=261}}
• {{flag|Iran}}{{sfn|IISS|2025c|page=341}}
• {{flag|Kazakhstan}}{{sfn|IISS|2025a|page=177}}
• {{flag|North Korea}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=270}}
• {{flag|Malaysia}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=278}}
• {{MNG}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=281}}
• {{flag|Myanmar}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=283}}
• {{flag|Peru}}{{sfn|IISS|2025d|page=432}}
• {{flag|Poland}}{{sfn|IISS|2025|page=124}}
• {{flag|Russia}} − Used by Naval Avation and Aerospace Forces{{sfn|IISS|2025a|pages=187,189}}
• {{flag|Serbia}}{{sfn|IISS|2025|page=131}}
• {{flag|Sudan}}{{sfn|IISS|2025e|page=502}}
• {{TKM}}{{sfn|IISS|2025a|page=198}}
• {{UGA}}{{sfn|IISS|2025e|page=506}}
• {{flag|Ukraine}}{{sfn|IISS|2025a|page=202}}
• {{flag|Venezuela}}{{sfn|IISS|2025d|page=439}}
• {{flag|Vietnam}}{{sfn|IISS|2025b|page=311}}

• {{flaglist|Houthis}}
• {{flagicon|Libya}} Libyan National Army{{sfn|IISS|2025c|page=356}}

• {{CZS}}{{cite web |title=Arms transfer database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferRegister |website=SIPRI |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=3 May 2025}}
• {{CZE}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|East Germany}}
• {{flag|Germany}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{HUN}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1991|name=Iraq}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|Moldova}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{ROM}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|Serbia and Montenegro}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|Slovakia}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|Soviet Union}} − Passed to successor states.
• {{flag|Ba'athist Syria|name=Syria}}{{sfn|IISS|2025c|page=371}}
• {{UZB}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{YEM}}{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}
• {{flag|Yugoslavia}} − Passed on to successor states{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}

• {{US}} − 100 missiles purchased in 1997{{sfn|Lennox|2001|pages=53−55}}

{{reflist|group=N}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Three: Europe |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=52–151 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445475 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445475 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2025}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Four: Russia and Eurasia |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=152–205 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445476 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445476 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2025a}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Five: Asia |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=206–311 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445477 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445477 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2025b}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Six: Middle East and North Africa |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=312–379 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445478 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445478 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2025c}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Seven: Latin America and the Caribbean |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=380–439 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445479 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445479 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2025d}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Eight: Sub-Saharan Africa |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=440–509 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445480 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445480 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2025e}}}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Lennox |editor1-first=Duncan |title=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2001 |edition=38th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon, Surrey |isbn=978-0-7106-0866-6}}

• {{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|title=Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two|year=2004|location=Hinckley, England|publisher=Midland Publishing|isbn=1-85780-188-1}}
• [http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/yak_130/ Yak-130] 04. August 2013.

{{commons category|Vympel R-73}}

• [http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/aerospace-systems/air-to-air-missile/r-73e/ Air-to-air missile R-73E | Catalog Rosoboronexport]
• [https://roe.ru/catalog/vozdushno-kosmicheskie-sily/aviatsionnye-rakety/rvv-md/ RVV-MD]
• [http://warfare.be/?catid=262&linkid=1673 warfare.ru]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030904121538/http://astronautix.com/lvs/r73.htm astronautix.com]
• [http://bastion-karpenko.ru/rvv-md/ ВПК НОВОСТИ, ИСТОРИЯ ОРУЖИЯ, ВОЕННАЯ ТЕХНИКА, БАСТИОН, ВОЕННО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЙ СБОРНИК. BASTION, MILITARY-TECHNICAL COLLECTION. MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX NEWS, HISTORY OF WEAPONS, MILITARY EQUIPMENT]

{{Russian and Soviet Aircraft Ordnance}}

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{{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}}

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Category:Air-to-air missiles of the Soviet Union

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