R-73

Description

The R-73 (NATO reporting name: AA-11 Archer) is a Soviet infrared homing air-to-air missile introduced in the Update "La Royale". It serves as an advanced infrared-guided Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in the game and has been the preferred missile for Soviet/Russian jets since the mid-1980s. Additionally, it has been adopted by countries that received its export version, the R-73E, including Mainland China and East Germany.

Boasting one of the highest overload capacities among infrared AAMs and equipped with Infra-Red Counter-Countermeasures (IRCCM) capabilities, the R-73 instils fear and prompts second thoughts in enemy jet pilots before engaging with aircraft armed with this missile.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

R-73

• Su-25BM
• Su-25T
• Su-39
• Su-25SM3
• Su-27
• Su-27SM
• MiG-29SMT

R-73E (Export)

• ▄MiG-21 Bison
• ◄MiG-29G
• J-11
• J-11A

General info

The R-73, a Soviet infrared Air-to-Air Missile (IR AAM), became operational in 1982 and entered service by 1984, designed as a successor to the outdated R-60 (NATO reporting name: AA-8 Aphid). Notably, it marked a significant advancement in Soviet missile technology, being the first in its class to incorporate thrust vectoring, High Off Boresight (HOB) capabilities, and the ability to withstand forces up to 40 G.

This missile was engineered to address the limitations of its predecessor and enhance the combat effectiveness of Soviet/Russian fighter jets. The incorporation of thrust vectoring allowed for improved manoeuvrability, enabling the missile to change direction rapidly during flight. The High Off Boresight capabilities enable the R-73 to engage targets even when not directly in its line of sight, offering increased flexibility in combat scenarios.

Missile characteristics
Mass	105
Guidance	IR
Aspect	All-aspects
Lock range (rear-aspect)	11 km
Lock range (all-aspect)	3.4 km
Launch range	30km
Maximum speed	2.5 M
Maximum overload	40 G
Missile guidance time	25 sec
Explosive mass	5.96 kg TNTeq

Effective damage

The R-73 is equipped with a payload of 5.96 kg TNTeq. It can destroy almost every plane in one hit.

Comparison with analogues

• Python 3/PL-8 - Israeli/Chinese (licensed) IR AAM at higher speed, long guidance time and explosive content; while having shorter head-on range and being heavy.
• R-60M(K) - USSR/Eastern Block IR AAM is the predecessor to the R-73 with limited range and speed but is very light.
• AIM-9L - US/NATO standard IR AAM with very long guidance time; while having lesser overload, head-on range and explosive content.
• AIM-9M - AIM-9L-based Missile equipped with an advanced heat seeker which has IRCCM capabilities and a Low/reduced smoke motor.
• AAM-3 - Japanese advanced IR AAM with with an advanced heat seeker which has IRCCM capabilities and a low/reduced smoke motor; while having the same overload factor and roughly the same range.
• Magic 2 - French standard IR AAM with higher explosive content, slightly more guidance time and flies faster; while having a slightly less overload and head-on range.

Missile Characteristics	AIM-9M	R-73	R-60M	Magic 2	AIM-9L
Mass	84 kg	105 kg	44 kg	89 kg	84 kg
Guidance	IR	IR	IR	IR	IR
Aspect	All-Aspect	All-Aspect	All-Aspect	All-Aspect	All-Aspect
Seeker Head	Uncaged (radar slavable)	Uncaged (radar slavable)	Uncaged (radar slavable)	Uncaged (radar slavable)	Uncaged (radar slavable)
Lock range (rear-aspect)	11 km	11 km	7.4km	6 km	11 km
Lock range (all-aspect)	3 km	3.4 km	2 km	3 km	3 km
IRCCM	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
IRCCM Type	Suspended Animation	FOV Gating	-	FOV Gating	-
Thrust Vectoring	No	Yes	No	No	No
Launch range	18 km	30 km	10 km	10 km	18 km
Maximum speed	2.5 M	2.5 M	2.5 M	3 M	2.5 M
Maximum overload	30 G	40 G	30 G	35 G	30 G
Missile guidance time	60 sec	25 sec	25 sec	25 sec	60 sec
Explosive Mass	4.06 kg TNTeq	5.96 kg TNTeq	1.35 kg TNTeq	9.6kg TNTeq	4.06 kg TNTeq

Usage in battles

The R-73 is famous for its thrust vectoring, advanced heat seeker with IRCCM capabilities, and its very high overload factor and slightly longer head-on range than its NATO counterparts. With such features, if players can make sure their missiles lock onto the target instead of its flares and lead enough for the seeker, the R-73 has a very high chance of taking down the target in one take without another round, which could be fatal in a heated battlefield.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High G overload factor (40G)
• Equipped with IRCCM
• Thrust Vectoring for sharper turns

Cons:

• Flies slower than NATO counterparts
• Heavier to NATO counterparts albeit lighter than Python-3/PL-8
• Relatively less explosive content than some counterparts

History

After observing the advancements in Western short-range infrared (IR) missile development during the early 1970s, exemplified by the AIM-9L (later followed by the AIM-9M), and their success in combat, particularly the Sidewinder's role in Middle Eastern conflicts arming Israeli aircraft, the Soviet Union recognized the limitations of their own "Dogfight missiles" like the R-60 and R-60M. These Soviet missiles faced challenges, primarily in terms of range and flare resistance. Motivated to bridge the gap, the Soviet Union embarked on developing a new class of missiles that would amalgamate the strengths of both Dogfight missiles (such as the SRAAM and R-60) and contemporary short-range missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and R-13M.

In response to a directive from the Soviet government, Vympel OKB initiated development in 1973 to create a new generation, all-aspect "Kill on sight" missile, designated Izdeliye 730 (Project 730). This missile aimed to combine the high manoeuvrability and instantaneous tracking of older dogfight missiles with the reliable range and tracking capabilities of short-range missile designs. The R-73 emerged as the first air-to-air missile to incorporate a hybrid control system, utilizing thrust vectoring for high angles of attack and instantaneous manoeuvring, along with conventional aerodynamic controls through fins and destabilizers. This innovative design not only improved manoeuvrability over older models like the R-60M but also allowed for a larger size, accommodating more fuel and a stronger motor to achieve ranges comparable to contemporary missiles like the AIM-9L.

The second aspect of the "Kill on sight" missile doctrine was the development of a helmet-mounted targeting system, which allowed the missile's seeker to target "High off-boresight" without requiring the aircraft to manoeuvre and position the target within the missile's seeker, providing a significant advantage in dogfights. Project 730, culminating in the R-73 missile, was completed in 1982 after almost a decade of development and immediately entered trials.

R-73 Missile on display at MAKS 1999

Following successful trials, the R-73 officially entered service in 1984, receiving the NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer. Shortly thereafter, an export variant (R-73E) was produced and sold to most allies of the USSR operating the new MiG-29 fighters. The R-73 became a staple in Soviet (and later Russian) missile design, evolving into numerous variants to modify and improve its performance, including the R-73L and the most recent R-74M1.

In 1990, after Germany's reunification, the Luftwaffe inherited a surplus of ex-East German MiG-29 aircraft, along with stockpiles of R-73 missiles. A dissimilar air combat training in 1994 between USAF F-16As aircraft and Luftwaffe MiG-29s showcased the overwhelming superiority of the German MiG-29s, equipped with the R-73 and helmet-cued targeting. This revelation prompted the realization that the R-73 possessed better manoeuvrability, tracking, and seeker acquisition than contemporary NATO missiles (AIM-9L and AIM-9M). The US and NATO countries, recognizing the need for advanced counterparts, subsequently developed missiles such as the AIM-9X, AIM-132 ASRAAM, IRIS-T, and the MICA Infrarouge.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Related Development

• R-13M / R-13M1
• R-60 / R-60M / R-60MK

Analogues

• AIM-9L / AIM-9M Sidewinder
• Matra R550 Magic 2
• Python 3 / PL-8

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.