If the US has the AIM-154, Russia has the R-33/37 air-to-air missile, which possesses comparable power, or even a longer range.
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| The R-33 (NATO designation AA-9 Amos) is currently the most modern long-range air-to-air missile in the Russian Air Force. While the AIM-54 is closely associated with the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet, the R-33 is an indispensable weapon on the famous MiG-31 Foxhound supersonic interceptor. (Image source: militaryrussia.ru) |
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| The Soviet Union's purpose in developing the R-33 was essentially the same as that of the AIM-54; both air-to-air missiles were developed around the same time in the early 1970s. The R-33's target was the B-52 Stratofortress long-range strategic bomber and the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force. (Image source: russianarms.ru) |
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| The development history of the R-33 is closely linked to its deployment platforms, the MiG-31 and the MiG-25 modernization program (E-155MP) in the late 1960s. In other words, the R-33 is a successor to the R-40 long-range air-to-air missile, which was equipped on the MiG-25, and the MiG-31 itself was later capable of deploying the R-40. Image source: militaryrussia.ru. |
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| The R-33 development project was completed by the Soviet Union in 1970 and was ready for launch tests from specialized aircraft. However, the MiG-31 had not yet been developed, and to deploy the R-33, designers had to convert MiG-25 and MiG-21 aircraft into test launch platforms. Image source: militaryrussia.ru. |
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| In addition, to test the Zaslon phased-array radar system that would be equipped on the MiG-31 and would also be paired with the R-33, the Soviet Union also modified a Tu-104 jet to carry the Zaslon system to test the operational compatibility between Zaslon and R-33 before equipping them on the MiG-31. (Image source: keypublishing.com) |
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| Essentially, the R-33 missile operates on the same principle as the AIM-54, combining a semi-active radar guidance system that automatically collects and updates target data during flight with inertial navigation to guide the missile to its target. Meanwhile, the Zaslon phased-array radar on the MiG-31 allows it to deploy 1-4 R-33 missiles simultaneously to attack separate targets. (Image source: nevskii-bastion.ru) |
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| During testing of the R-33 on the MiG-25P-10 variant, Soviet designers continued to refine this air-to-air missile, most notably with the use of a new weapon mounting system for the R-33. The first airborne target the R-33 shot down when launched from a MiG-31 was a MiG-17; this test was conducted in early 1977. (Image source: nevskii-bastion.ru) |
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| The R-33 weighs 490 kg and has a wheelbase of 4.1 m. It is equipped with a 47.5 kg high-explosive warhead. Due to its size, a MiG-31 can only carry a maximum of four R-33s, all of which are stored under the fuselage. (Image source: nevskii-bastion.ru) |
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| The R-33 is equipped with the RGS-33 semi-active radar guidance system and the TGS-33 infrared guidance system. During the development of the R-33, the Soviet Union also intended to equip this missile with an active radar system, but this design was later abandoned. In addition, the R-33 also integrates a missile control device, the MFBU-410. Image source: militaryrussia.ru |
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| A close-up view of R-33 missiles beneath the fuselage of a MiG-31. Image source: nevskii-bastion.ru |
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| The R-33 air-to-air missile has a range of up to 340km with improved variants developed by Russia, while its effective range is already 160km. The flight speed of all R-33 variants is Mach 4.5, or 4.5 times the speed of sound, and it can destroy targets flying at Mach 3.5. (Image source: goodwp.com) |
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| Not satisfied with the capabilities of the R-33, Russia also launched an improved variant, the Vympel R-37, with significantly superior combat capabilities compared to its predecessor. And instead of destroying long-range bombers, the R-37 is designed to destroy enemy electronic warfare or airborne command and control aircraft. (Image source: military-today) |
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| To ensure compatibility with fighter aircraft not equipped with phased-array radar systems like the MiG-31, the R-37 is also equipped with the advanced Agat 9B-1388 active radar guidance system, maintaining its long-range attack capability estimated at 150-390 km. However, currently, no aircraft in the world can deploy the R-37 other than the MiG-31, and it has yet to find a suitable customer. Image source: nevskii-bastion.ru |
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| The R-37 has a base weight of up to 600 kg and is similar in length to the R-33. In addition to its high-explosive warhead, the R-37 is also equipped with a fragmentation warhead weighing approximately 60 kg. Its flight speed can reach Mach 6, making it the fastest air-to-air missile currently in existence worldwide. (Image source: nevskii-bastion.ru) |
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| Russia's current objective is nothing less than deploying the R-37 or its variants on its main fighter aircraft such as the Su-35S or, in the future, the Sukhoi T-50, in order to reduce its dependence on the MiG-31, as this fighter jet is nearing the end of its service life. (Image source: militaryrussia.ru) |
According to Kienthuc
