R-33 (missile)

The R -33 ( DIA Code: AA -9, NATO reporting name: Amos ) is a Soviet BVR air -to-air missile for large combat distances.

Development

The R -33 was developed as the main armament for the MiG -31 interceptors. The development by the manufacturer Wympel (Russian Вымпел ) began in the late 1960s. The R -33 is the first Soviet air -to-air missile with a digital control computer. This is almost identical to the control computer of the U.S. Hughes AIM -54 Phoenix. According to rumors, the control computer is a replica of an AIM -54, which passed through the fall of the Shah in Iran in Soviet possession. The first R -33 were delivered in 1982 to the Soviet Air Force.

Technology

The R- 33 was designed to fight small and flying in minimum heights up to 50 meters destinations such as the cruise missile of the type AGM -86 cruise missile and the BGM- 109 Tomahawk. Similarly, the high-speed reconnaissance aircraft, Lockheed SR -71 strategic bombers and Boeing B -52 and Rockwell B-1 can be combated. However, the missile can be used only against weak maneuvering targets, since the load limit is 8g.

The missile can be used both day and night in all weather conditions. Destinations which can be combated using electronic jammers. It is used in combination with the SBI -16 Zaslon radar ( NATO: Flashdance ) of the MiG -31. This radar is passive phase-controlled and has high ECCM capabilities.

The successor of R -37 (NATO: AA -13 Arrow ), a long-range missile with 300 km range, was tested on the MiG- 31M and should be undertaken in the military service with the MiG - 31BM. An improved version, the R- 37M was introduced under the export designation RWW -BD at the MAKS 2011.

Variants

  • R -33: first production version; Reach 120 km away.
  • R- 33S: Improved version with new electronics and a range of 160 km.
  • R- 33M: Improved R- 33S.
  • R- 33SM: Improved, more elaborate version with the small control surfaces just behind the radome.
  • R- 33E: Simplified export version.
  • R- 33A: Prototype with active radar homing head; Development set.
  • R- 33P: Prototype with passive radar homing head; Development set.
Booster (rocketry) Mach number Defense Intelligence Agency Beyond-visual-range missile Iranian Revolution Tomahawk (missile) Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Phased array Electronic Counter Counter Measures MAKS (air show)
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