The R-73 was developed to replace the earlier R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') weapon for short-range use by Sovietfighter aircraft. Work began in 1973, operational in 1982 and the first missiles formally entered service in 1984.[5]
The R-73 is an infrared homing (heat-seeking) missile with a sensitive, cryogenic cooled seeker with a substantial "off-boresight" capability: the seeker can detect targets up to 40° off the missile's centerline.[6] It can be targeted by a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) allowing pilots to designate targets by looking at them. Minimum engagement range is about 300 meters, with maximum aerodynamic range of nearly 30 km (19 mi) at altitude. The weapon is used by the MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27/33, Su-34 and Su-35, and can be carried by newer versions of the MiG-21, MiG-23, Sukhoi Su-24, and Su-25 aircraft.[7]
Shortly after German reunification in 1990, Germany and other ex-Warsaw Pact countries found themselves with large stockpiles of the R-73 missiles or AA-11 Archers as designated by NATO, and had concluded that the R-73/AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated by the west.[8] In particular, the R-73 was found to be both far more maneuverable, and far more capable in terms of seeker acquisition and tracking than the latest AIM-9 Sidewinder.[9] This realization started the development of newer missiles to help compete, including the ASRAAM, IRIS-T and AIM-9X.
According to an interview with a Ukrainian pilot, the R-73 does not track well in clouds. This makes the missile difficult to use against Shahed-136 drones, forcing pilots to rely on their 30 mm cannon.[10]
From 1994, the R-73 has been upgraded in production to the R-73M standard, which entered Russian service in 1997. The R-73M has greater range and a wider seeker angle (to 60° off-boresight), as well as improved IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Counter-Measures). Further developments include the R-74 (izdeliye 740) and its export variant RVV-MD. These are expected to supplement previous variants of the R-73 in service.[11]
An improved version of the R-74, the K-74M (izdeliye 750) features fully digital and re-programmable systems, and is intended for use on the MiG-35, MiG-29K/M/M2, Su-27SM, Su-30MK and Su-35S. A further upgrade, known as the K-74M2 (izdeliye 760), is intended for the fifth-generationSu-57 aircraft. This missile has reduced cross-section with the fin span reduced to 434 mm (17.1 in) to fit in internal weapon bays and will match the performance of the AIM-9X, IRIS-T and the ASRAAM. The weapon complete trials in 2019, and the export variant RVV-MD2 was unveiled in 2023.[12] A clean sheet design, the K-MD (izdeliye 300), is expected supersede the K-74M2 in the future.[13][14]
During the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from May 1998 to June 2000, R-73 missiles were used in combat by both Ethiopian Su-27s and Eritrean MiG-29s. It was the IR-homing R-60 and the R-73 that were used in all but two of the kills.
On 18 March 2008, a MiG-29 Fulcrum of the Russian Air Force intercepted a Georgian Elbit Hermes 450 UAV over Abkhazia. The MiG-29 destroyed the UAV with an R-73 missile.[17]
On 27 February 2019, Indian officials claims that an IAF MiG-21 Bison had successfully engaged and shot down a Pakistani F-16 with an R-73E missile during the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes.[18] Pakistan denied the loss of its aircraft.[19]
On 7 May 2022, Colonel Ihor Bedzai was killed when his Mi-14 was shot down by a Russian Su-35. It is reported that after missing its first shots using its 30 mm cannon, the Su-35 resorted to launching an R-73, which destroyed the helicopter.[20][21]
Use as a surface to air missile
These missiles have been used as a surface to air missile. In 1999 R-73s were adapted by Serb forces for surface to air missiles. The Houthi movement's Missile Research and Development Centre and the Missile Force have tried to fire R-27/R-60/R-73/R-77, from Yemeni Air Force stocks, against Saudi aircraft. The issue for the R-27R and R-77 is the lack of a radar to support their guidance to the target. However the R-27T, R-73 and R-60 are infra-red heat seeking missiles. They only require power, liquid nitrogen "to cool the seeker head", and a pylon to launch the missile. These missiles have been paired with a "US made FLIR Systems ULTRA 8500 turrets". However the drawback is that these missiles are intended to be fired from one jet fighter against another. So the motors and fuel load are smaller than a purpose-built surface to air missile. Only one near miss has been verified and that was a R-27T fired at Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA.[22]
On 6 May 2024, Russia released footage of a Ka-29 using gunfire on a Sea Baby drone. The drone was armed with a R-73 infrared missile, to defend it from helicopters. One missile had been fired, at a Mi-8 helicopter, but missed before the drone was destroyed by gun fire.[23]
In May 2024, Ukraine release a photo of a modified 9K33 Osa using R-73 missiles.[24]
Variants
RVV-MD2 mockup at the 2023 Dubai Air Show
R-73 - Standard model with ±40° off-boresight.
R-73E - Export version of the standard model with ±45° off-boresight. The missile has a maximum range of 30 kilometres (19 mi) with 8 kg warhead.[2]
R-73M - Improved model Featuring gate width IRCCM and ±60° off-boresight.
R-74 (izdeliye 740) - Improved model with ±60° off-boresight.
RVV-MD - Export model of the R-74 with ±75° off-boresight. The missile has a maximum range of 40 kilometres (25 mi) with 8 kg warhead.[25]
R-74M (izdeliye 750) - Improved model with ±75° off-boresight.
R-74M2 (izdeliye 760) - Further improved variant with reduced cross-section for the Sukhoi Su-57. The fin span was reduced to 434 mm (17.1 in) and the missile has an inertial navigation system.
RVV-MD2 - Export model of the R-74M2.
Operators
Map with R-73 operators in blue with former operators in red
^Cooper, Tom (2018). Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 67. ISBN978-1-911628-18-7.
