In modern air combat, the performance of air-to-air missiles often determines the course of the battle. Recently, a new Russian air-to-air missile has attracted much attention, with performance parameters comparable to China's PL-15, and it is externally called the "Russian version of the PL-15." This is the R-77M air-to-air missile, which has made its debut in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and has begun to effectively strike Ukrainian targets.
The R-77M air-to-air missile is a deep improvement of the R-77 missile. The R-77, as a classic medium-range air-to-air missile of Russia, has shown certain performance in the international arms market and in actual combat. However, with the development of air combat technology, especially the emergence of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles such as the US AIM-120 series and China's PL-15, Russia urgently needed to upgrade the R-77. The R-77M was born, aiming to enhance the striking capability of Russian aircraft in beyond visual range air combat.
The most significant feature of the R-77M is its extremely long range, reaching 190 kilometers. This range data gives it a great advantage in medium and long-range air combat. Compared to the early R-77, the range has been greatly improved. The early R-77 had a range of about 100 kilometers, and when facing missiles like the AIM-120C with similar range, it did not have an advantage. However, the R-77M achieved a huge leap in range by using a dual-pulse solid rocket engine. The dual-pulse engine can ignite twice during the missile's flight, the first ignition allows the missile to quickly reach cruise speed and enter mid-course flight; when approaching the target, the second ignition provides energy for the missile's terminal sprint, greatly increasing the range. Similarly, China's PL-15 also uses dual-pulse engine technology to achieve a range of over 200 kilometers, and the R-77M is already very close in terms of range.
In terms of guidance accuracy, the R-77M has also been upgraded. It uses a new radar seeker and is equipped with a new correction data link, which can correct the missile faster, and also features a more precise inertial navigation control system. Its radar seeker has active, passive, and semi-active modes, adapting to complex electromagnetic environments. In active mode, the radar seeker can independently search for and lock onto targets, with strong anti-interference capabilities; in passive mode, it can track the enemy's radar signals in a silent state, making it difficult for the enemy to detect. Through the data link, the aircraft can transmit the latest target information to the missile in real time. Even if the aircraft changes direction after launching the missile, it can continue to provide target data to the missile, ensuring accurate targeting. For example, in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, when the Su-35S fighter launched the R-77M, it could guide the missile continuously through the data link. Even if the Ukrainian aircraft performed evasive maneuvers, it was difficult to escape. In contrast, the early R-77 was susceptible to guidance accuracy issues when facing electronic interference, while the upgrades of the R-77M significantly enhanced its combat capabilities in complex electromagnetic environments.
In terms of maneuverability, the R-77M has replaced the R-77's iconic grid-type tail fins, adopting flat fixed control wings, and adding fixed aerodynamic surfaces on the main body of the missile in front of the engine section. Although the grid-type tail fins provided good controllability on the R-77, they had certain limitations at subsonic speeds. The new aerodynamic layout of the R-77M significantly improves the missile's maneuverability at subsonic speeds. When the missile flies at a long distance and gradually slows down into the subsonic phase, it can still maintain good maneuverability, effectively tracking and hitting the target. In the strikes against Ukrainian targets, the R-77M can flexibly adjust its flight path to achieve precise strikes against the maneuvering Ukrainian aircraft.
The warhead power of the R-77M should not be underestimated. It inherits the high-energy fragment warhead design of the R-77 series, combined with an active laser proximity fuze. In actual combat, this warhead design poses a significant threat to various types of Ukrainian aircraft and drones.
With its extremely long range of 190 kilometers, advanced guidance system, good maneuverability, and powerful warhead, the R-77M air-to-air missile has become a powerful weapon for the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and has also allowed the world to see Russia's technological progress in the field of air-to-air missiles.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7533144377980437034/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the [upvote/downvote] buttons below.