RB71

Description

The RB71 missile (scale is approximate)

The RB71 is a Swedish semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missile. It was introduced in Update "Direct Hit".

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• JA37C
• JA37D
• JAS39A

General info

The RB71 is the Swedish Air Force adaptation of the British Skyflash air-to-air missile, which itself is derived from the American AIM-7E-2 Sparrow. This means the RB71 has performance very similar to those missiles with a lock range of 30 km, a launch range of 50 km, maximum speed of 4.0 Mach, and a maximum overload of 25 G. Unlike lighter missiles (like the R-60), this missile is heavier with a weight of 193 kg, but with that comes a heavier warhead (11.52 kg of TNT equivalent) which can ensure it downs an enemy in a single-shot most of the time. The RB71 is a medium range radar guided air-to-air missile, most effective at ranges from 1,200 m to 3,000 m (at sea level).

Missile characteristics
Mass	193 kg
Guidance	SARH
Signal	CW
Lock range	37 km
Launch range	50 km
Maximum speed	4 M
Maximum overload	25 G
Missile guidance time	40 secs
Explosive mass	11.52 kg TNTeq

Effective damage

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Comparison with analogues

The RB71 is much more agile than the AIM-7F, R-23R/-24R, and several other SARHs. This allows for flanking shots as well as up-close reaction shots. The RB71 has a shorter maximum range than the AIM-7F and AIM-54, meaning certain aircraft might get successful locks and launches. Certain powerful SARH missiles such as the AIM-7M and R-27ER (and its R-27ER1 export variant) will severely outrange the RB71.

Usage in battles

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Pros and cons

Pros:

• High manoeuvrability lets the user pull off shots at closer range than the competition
• Very good resistance against ground clutter combined with the excellent radar of the JA model Viggens lets you use the missile at any altitude
• Generally quite resistant against countermeasures
• Quickly launches and leaves the rail, tracking the target rapidly after launch - allowing for quick frontal aspect shots against incoming jets

Cons:

• Much shorter range than most of adversaries it will face - such as the AIM-7M or the much more capable R-27ER
• Only two missiles may be carried on its Viggen platforms of JA37C and JA37D - the JAS39A can carry four, at the cost of RB74(M) IR missiles

History

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Media

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See also

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• reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;
• references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

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