When Alexander Lukashenko visited may 22, experimental-production plot NPO OOO “OKB TSP” in machulishchy near Minsk, in addition to the new missile technology, the President showed, as can be seen in the reporting, samples of the modernized guided missile (SD) class “air — air” R-60, R-73 and R-27.
According to experts, the importance of renovation of these munitions due to the fact that today they are armed with almost all combat planes and helicopters of the Belarusian air force and air defense forces. Despite the fact that large amounts of new UR of similar purpose abroad is unlikely: it is expensive, and to go on preferential supplies to Belarus Moscow does not want.
R-60
Its origin UR R-60, like several other Soviet missiles of class “air — air”, which still, in addition to Russian armed military aircraft of many countries, including Belarus, is obliged to the American AIM-9B Sidewinder. In the early 60-ies of the last century after the air battles between air force China and Taiwan in the hands of the Chinese were well-preserved fragments of UR AIM-9B, which were transferred to the Soviet Union.
This allowed the Soviet designers to the 70-th years of the create your own versions of such ammunition at first, with worse characteristics than the original. However, more recent developments have not only not inferior to foreign models, but on many tactical and technical indicators surpassed them. UR R-60 (AA-8 Aphid according to NATO classification) was created specifically for the passing maneuver battlefield, and therefore with a relatively small size and weight (43 kg) had massive control surfaces. This provided her with good maneuverability.
R-60 was equipped with thermal homing head (GOS), “mosquito”, which does not require cooling of the solar cell. The primary aim of the GOS was carried out with radar of the carrier aircraft or instrument is designed. Minimum launch range of SD 200-250 m at g to 7 g. The rocket was overloaded to 42 g.
R-60 was equipped with a radio Fuze, which is triggered when flying at 5 m from the target. Warhead (warhead) were filled with tungsten rods. It was possible to install warhead with shrapnel from depleted uranium. It was accepted into service around 1973, the first version of UR R-60 was slightly inferior in combat capabilities to the American AIM-L, adopted in 1976.
As a result of renovation carried out by LLC “LSVT — new technologies” upgraded UR, the designation R-60БМ, features: new anti-jamming seeker (infrared or thermal, laser); new autopilot control unit, implementing modern algorithms targeting; a new laser proximity fuse, ensuring reliable triggering of the warhead in a specified area; new dual-mode solid rocket motor (TTRD).
It is important now that UR R-60БМ can be used not only aboard aircraft carriers, but also as ammunition for ground to air missile (SAM) short range.
Basic tactical and technical characteristics (TTX) R-60БМ:
- the range of objectives of 0.3-10 km;
- height of defeats the purpose when you start with the SAM — 0,1-5 km;
- airspeed UR — 730-850 m/sec;
- the probability of target destruction a single UR — 0,9.
R-73
The Soviet R-73 (AA-11 Archer) was developed in the early 1980-ies and UR is a short-range infrared homing. Compared to previous developments it has a number of innovations (TTRD with variable thrust vector, the fixed elevons on the tail stabilizers and control the front of plane).
Consequently, in terms of agility and precision R-73 at the moment of occurrence exceeded all current foreign counterparts, from the American AIM-9L/M Sidewinder to the Israeli Python-3.
R-73 was designed to engage targets located outside the axis of movement of the carrier aircraft, and had sighted the gun with a very wide swath. Due to this, the pilot was not limited to a rotary device launcher rails and could hit a target at any point in the front hemisphere. And he did not have to maneuver to target on the display of the windshield.
Subsequent modifications of the R-73 was extended range, improved avionics systems and increased resistance to countermeasures of the enemy. They also developed a model R-73, with which it was possible to shoot down flying in the rear hemisphere of enemy aircraft.
Version of this UR, the designation R-73БМ, as a result of modernization at OJSC “LSVT — new technologies” received: new all-aspect infrared seeker with an angle of 45-60 degrees significantly increases the noise immunity of SD; the possibility of using the combined method guidance (including inertial navigation); new TRD; new autopilot control unit, which implements advanced algorithms targeting; a new laser proximity fuse, which provides a reliable undermining warhead at a close distance;
As in the case of R-60БМ provided the possibility of using R-73БМ as ammunition for SAM using a special launcher.
Main performance characteristics of R-73БМ:
- the range of hitting the target are 0.3 — 12 km;
- the height of defeat for SAM — 0,1-7 km;
- the height of the destruction of air-carrier — 0,005-20 km;
- the probability of hitting the target one UR — 0,8;
- maximum overload UR — 40 g;
- maximum overload is the goal to 12 g.
R-27
UR medium and long range R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) was adopted in 1987 as the primary weapons of class “air — air” for the Soviet MiG-29 and su-27.
Initially UR R-27 was manufactured in several modifications, differing by a combination of two types of homing (semi-active radar “R” and thermal “T”) and two types TTRD (with standard and increased power). UR with increased power indices have an additional letter “e”. For example, R-27ЭР and R-27ЭТ.
Subsequently to this the line added version of SD with the passive P and active — “A” radar homing.
The range of start UR family R-27 — from 70 to 130 km, and a Speed of about 5500 km/h. Warhead — rod, for all modifications is 39 kg. the Fuze — contact and non-contact radar. The radius of operation of the fuse — 5-6 m.
For UR updates R-27 expired at the production site “Orsha”, OOO “LSVT — new technologies” was developed corresponding documentation. At its base is a deep repair unit supply, seeker and fuse. At the same time TTRD checked the status and its suitability for further storage and use SD.
The cost of repair of one of the ammunition is estimated at the equivalent of 7000 dollars. For comparison: the price of UR new R-27 on the international market is about 650,000 dollars.
In 2019 — early 2020, OOO “LSVT — new technologies” returned after repair of the Belorussian military 140 missiles R-27. On may 27, was handed another 30 repaired ammunition. Given the amount of work (both finished and upcoming), it can be concluded that the amount of savings only for this LVL can be tens of millions of dollars.
The figures for R-60БМ and R-73БМ not yet available, but there is reason to believe, that there can be talking about millions. And this is very important, given the intention of the Russian leadership to translate military-technical cooperation with Belarus on a strictly commercial basis.
But it’s not about the money: today there is the apparent reluctance of the Kremlin to strengthen defense capabilities (and thus independence) of his main ally, which shows the obstinacy with or without cause.
