U.S. locates potential purchasers for Russian revolution-era rocket technology
The R-77M, a substantial upgrade over the original R-77, has been making waves in the world of air-to-air missile technology. This new missile boasts several key enhancements that aim to keep pace with modern weapon developments led by the United States and China, as pointed out by analyst Thomas Newdick.
The R-77M's dual-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor enables adjustable thrust phases, maintaining power throughout the flight for better maneuverability and an extended range. This feature improves terminal phase energy management and enlarges the missile’s "no-escape zone," making it more threatening to targets.
The upgraded 9B-1348M seeker, an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker, provides a wider field of view, immediate response to sudden target maneuvers, and high resistance to electronic countermeasures. It offers near 360-degree coverage, eliminating seeker blind spots.
The missile's aerodynamics and stealth features have also been optimised. The missile replaces the original lattice fins with conventional cropped cruciform fins, reducing aerodynamic drag and radar cross-section (RCS). This redesign allows the missile to fit into internal weapons bays of stealthy fighters like the Su-57, preserving aircraft stealth capability.
The R-77M's estimated range reportedly exceeds 190 km, roughly doubling the original R-77's reach.
Comparatively, the R-77M's features and capabilities are competitive with some of the best long-range air-to-air missiles in the world. While the U.S. AIM-120 AMRAAM offers a longer range in some variants, the R-77M's AESA radar and dual-pulse motor provide better energy efficiency and target tracking. China's PL-15 missile reportedly has a longer maximum range, but the R-77M holds its own within the same class. European Meteor missile features a ramjet engine allowing sustained thrust over a long flight, granting excellent range and speed; the R-77M's dual-pulse motor aims to improve performance but is different technology.
Seven countries—Kazakhstan, Belarus, India, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, and North Korea—are potential buyers of the R-77M air-to-air missile, as they operate Russian-made equipment. The appearance of the R-77M on the Russian Su-35S fighter is considered a "serious challenge" to various armies, as suggested by the U.S. publication TWZ.
The R-77M's AESA radar seeker head enhances resistance to jamming and may contribute to increased effectiveness in various combat scenarios. Its improved range and advanced seeker capabilities suggest advanced capabilities compared to the previous R-77-1, posing a significant threat to the Ukrainian army, as stated by TWZ. The R-77M's enhancements may allow it to compete effectively with modern weapons developed by the United States and China.
[1] Military Watch Magazine [2] The War Zone (TWZ) [3] Aviation Week & Space Technology [4] The National Interest [5] FlightGlobal [6] Jane's International Defence Review (unofficial)
The R-77M, given its advanced features, could potentially find its way into various industries, such as finance or aerospace, due to its competitive edge in the air-to-air missile market. Notably, its resilience to electronic countermeasures and enhanced energy efficiency make the R-77M an attractive asset for defense forces worldwide, according to military analysis publications like Military Watch Magazine and The War Zone (TWZ).
