The R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) is a guided medium range, air-to-air missile manufactured by Russian firm Vympel and Ukrainian firm Artem.This missile was designed for the Soviet Union's forth-generation fighters such as the MiG-29 and Su-27 featuring exceptional maneuverability replacing in service MiG-23 fighters armed with the R-23 missiles. Furthermore this missile is carried by improved versions of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, Su-35, Su-37 and Yak-141.
This missile was also designed as a counterweight for the United States F-15 fighters armed with the AIM-7F "Sparrow" missiles.
R-27 can attack bombers, jet fighters, helicopters and missiles cruise missiles flying at a height of 20 m to 25 km (30 km for versions of the R-27E), speeds up to 3600 km / h overload up to 8 g close maneuvering fight on a minimum distance of 500 m. the maximum range of 50-170 km (depending on version) to slightly maneuvering targets at high altitudes (> 10 km) is limited by the performance of the radar-equipped aircraft carriers, who must pursue the goal of this distance and transmit shot data. R-27 allows you to attack low-flying targets against the background of the ground or water under any conditions. Probability downing one shot is 0.6 to 0.8.
Design features of R-27 air-to-air missiles
The R-27 missile structure includes a cylindrical body and axisymmetric, crosswise arranged surfaces in duck configuration. The modular structure allows the integration of various guidance systems and motors (two options).
All versions of the R-27 missile are equipped with the same 39kg Rod warhead initiated by radar-proximity and impact fuses.
The air-to-air missile is designed with a canard aerodynamic configuration. The surfaces control pitch and yaw of the missile, while ensuring the roll stabilisation. The maximum operational g-loading of the missile is 8g.
The guidance method of the missile can be converted from semi-active radarhoming to infrared by substituting the seeker module. The propulsion system includes a solid-propellant rocket motor.
Development
Suggestions of the new missile conception were made in 1972 - 1973 and at the end of 1973 development of this missile begins. There were made two competeting projects by "Molniya" and "Vympel" design bureaus and early in the 1980s the "Vympel" design was selected for further development. Series production of the R-27 began in 1986.
AA-10 Alamo guided medium range missile variants
The R-27 is available in six variants, R-27R1, R-27T1, R-27P1, R-27RE1, R-27ET1 and R-27EP1, to cater to the varying mission requirements of the armed forces. The R-27 missile range also included the R-27 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which was a single-stage, storable liquid-propellant missile. The R-27RE1,R-27TE1 and R-27EP1 are extended range versions of R-27R1, R-27T1 and R-27P1 respectively.
The R-27R1 missile is medium-range missiles with semi-active radar homing head is designed to destroy air targets at any time of the day, in simple and adverse weather conditions, in the front and rear hemisphere, including the background of different underlying surfaces, with the active and maneuvering countering enemy jamming.
Missile guidance system implements a streamlined method of proportional guidance as inertial-corrected guidance section (flight with radio), and the semi-active homing site after the capture of targets on the flight path. The missile has a length of 4m, body diameter of 0.23m and wing span of 0.77m. The weight of the missile is 253kg. The R-27R1 can be launched from an altitude of 25km, up to a range of 60km. The guidance system of the missile includes semi-active radar seeker with command updates. The missile can be fired from a device APU-470 (aviacionnaja puskovaja ustanovka) or ejected from the device AKU-470 (aviacionnaja katapultnaja ustanovka).
The R-27RE1 missile is an extended range version of R-27R1. It has a length of 4.7m, wing span of 0.8m and body diameter of 0.23m. The missile has a weight of 350kg. The R-27ER1 can be launched from an altitude of 27km. It has a range of 95km. The guidance system of the missile includes semi-active radar seeker with command updates.
The R-27P1 missile variant is designed to strike air targets at all angles during day and night. The variant uses fire-and-forget system for better control over the flight of the missile. The missile has a length of 3.7m and diameter of 0.23m. The missile has a launch weight of 245kg. It can be launched from an altitude of 24km and has a range of 50km. The missile uses infrared (IR) seeker guidance system.
The R-27ET1 is an extended range version of R-27T1. The extended range version has an overall length of 4.5m and diameter of .23m. It can carry 39kg war head to a maximum range of 90km. It has a launch weight of 343kg and maximum launch altitude of 30km. The missile is equipped with IR seeker guidance system.
The R-27P1 and R-27EP1 are a unified missile homing medium-range passive radar homing (PSRP), designed to engage the radio-emitting air targets day and night in simple and adverse weather conditions in the forward hemisphere, including the background of different underlying surfaces, ensuring the defeat of planes that put active noise radar for cover. Rocket implements the principle of "fire and forget" with providing information stealth attacks. The R-27P1 has a range of 72km, while the R-27EP1 can engage targets within the range of 110km.
Specifications
Weight 253 kg (558 lb)
Length 4.08 m (13.4 ft)
Diameter 230 mm (9.1 in)
Warhead blast/fragmentation, or continuous rod
Warhead weight 39 kg (86 lb)
Detonation mechanism
radar-proximity and impact fuzes
Engine
High performance, w. directed-rocket motor
Solid-fuel rocket motor
Wingspan
772 mm (30.4 in)
Operational range
R-27R: up to 80 km
R-27T: up to 70 km
R-27ER: up to 130 km
R-27ET: up to 120 km
R-27EP: up to 130 km
R-27EA: >130 km
Flight altitude N/A
Speed Mach 4.5
Guidance system
semi-active radar homing (A/C), active-radar-homing (R-27EA), infrared homing (B/D), passive radar (E/F)
Launch platform
Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, Su-35, Su-37, MiG-29, Mig-23, Yak-141, PAK FA