R-3R
| This page is about the semi-active radar homing missile R-3R. For the infrared homing version, see R-3S. |
Contents
Description
The R-3R (K-13R, AA-2C 'Atoll') is a is a Soviet semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missile. Based on the R-3S missile, the missile shares the same manoeuvrability and warhead characteristics that makes the missile more viable at shorter ranges.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
- ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M"
- ◄MiG-21 SPS-K
- MiG-21bis
- ▄MiG-21bis
- ◊MiG-21bis-SAU
- ◔MiG-21bis-SAU
- ◊MiG-21MF
- ◔MiG-21MF
- MiG-21S (R-13-300)
- MiG-21SMT
General info
| Missile characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Mass | 75 kg |
| Guidance | SARH |
| Signal | Pulse |
| Lock range | 8 km |
| Launch range | 9 km |
| Maximum speed | 1.7 M |
| Maximum overload | 10 G |
| Missile guidance time | 21 secs |
| Explosive mass | 8.8 kg TNTeq |
Effective damage
Warhead has a TNT equivalent explosive mass of 8.8 kg which is usually sufficient to destroy targeted aircraft that come within the fuse detonation range with one hit. It does however have the lowest explosive mass of any radar guided missile in-game.
Comparison with analogues
The R-3R is equipped with an identical warhead to that found on the R-3S.
Usage in battles
As with other radar missiles, acquiring stable radar lock is easiest at higher altitude. The R-3R performs best at and above 2,000 m, however it can lock onto an enemy above you even at low altitude should you pitch up steeply to avoid ground clutter. Due to the missile's relatively low speed of Mach 1.7, long-range intercepts are unreliable as the missile will struggle to intercept before running out of fuel. One good remedy to this issue is to pick up higher altitude targets with your radar and approach from head-on either level or slightly below the enemy's altitude. Spool up the missile but do not fire from further than 5 km out as missile lock can be intermittent beyond this. When fired in a head-on between 5 to 1.25 km, the missile has a significant chance of successful intercept if you maintain radar lock with the target and they fail to make significant evasive action. Missiles fired in a head-on close in at much greater relative speeds thus little time is provided to evade. Be aware that the F-8E has a much faster AIM-9C missile so it will win in head-ons.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Capable of hitting targets at lower altitudes if lock can be attained
- Spools up quickly and tracks fast enough to hit targets in a head-on even when fired at ranges just over 1 km
- Uncaged seeker with large firing arc after locking target
Cons:
- Relatively low 10G overload compared to other air-to-air missiles and all other radar missiles
- Relatively slow intercept speed
- Smallest warhead of all radar guided air-to-air missiles
- Low launch overload limit
History
Work began on adapting the R-3S missile with a Semi-Active Radar Homing (SARH) warhead in 1961 under the bureau designation Izdeliye 320, with expectations that it could be used in high-altitude engagements.[1] Though limited by the dimensions of the R-3S missile, improvements could be made to the warhead, rocket motor, and fins. In the front, a new semi-active radar seeker was installed, surrounded by dielectric fairing. For the rudders in front, a new rudder actuator package was installed that attached an electronic module that adjusts the rudder deflection to better suit the missile's flight based on altitude and target distance. Behind the rudder was the warhead alongside the new Yastreb radar proximity fuse, the latter which has a diameter wider than the missile's body, creating a bulge in the missile body that contains the fuse's transmitter/receiver antennas.[2] It is not known what specific upgrade, if any, were done to the rocket motor. These modifications to the missile increased the length by 580 mm and the weight by 7.1 kg.[2]
Izdeliye 320 was ready for production in 1965-66, with the missile index designated R-3R (also known as K-13R, or the US codename AA-2C).[1][2] The weapon would be accepted into service by 1968.[3] The R-3R's SARH seeker allowed for an all-aspect engagement with the target. The missile was effective up to 21 km in altitude, with an effective range between 0.3 to 15 km.[1] The R-3R was compatible with the APU-13U-2 launch rails, which were installed in later models of the MiG-21 (from S to bis) and early MiG-23 variants.
A fixed acquisition "training" round was also produced for the R-3R, designated the R-3RU (Izdeliye 328) which was effectively a R-3U (training round for the R-3S) with a SARH seeker installed and with the fins retained without rudder nor rollerons.[2]
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Other SARH missiles with IR seeker alternatives
- AIM-9C (IR: AIM-9D)
- R-23R (IR: R-23T)
- R-24R (IR: R-24T)
- R-27R (IR: R-27T)
- R-27ER (IR: R-27ET)
- Matra R530 (IR: Matra R530E)
External links
References
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim. 2004. Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War II. England: Midland Publishing.
- Missilery.info. n.d. "R-3S aircraft missile (K-13, item 310 and 310A)." Accessed February 18, 2022. Website (Archive)
