R-73: Behind Sophistication Missile Hunters Hot Air Force Sukhoi – indonesian air forces

Before the year 2012 , arguably the line sista air to air missiles ( AAM / water -to-air missile ) capability the Air Force is quite inferior when compared AU AU Malaysia and Singapore . Because nearly three decades , the Air Force ‘s fleet of fighter jets rely on artificial Raytheon Sidewinder missiles . The Sidewinder version is owned by the Air Force AIM and AIM – P2 – P4 .
The most recent was , AIM P – 4 package purchased together with procurement of F- 16 Fighting Falcon in 1989. AIM – P4 can be fired even if the enemy plane came from forward facing position , make a change in the style of melee duel ( dog fight ) .
At the same time , the neighbor country already operates a medium-range AAM , AIM – 7 Sparrow and AIM – 120 AMRAAM , the latter is jenisbeyond visual range air -to-air missile , AMRAAM suddenly a frightening specter in modern air warfare , missiles can be shot up to 70 km with a speed of Mach 4 . For this one , although only come a bit late , be thankful for the Air Force now has unmatchable , the R – 77 missile for its fleet of Sukhoi , the Russian made ​​missiles capable of racing at speeds of up to Mach 4 a distance of 80 km .
Well , back to the line of air-to- air missiles short range , the current mainstay jet Air Force F – 16 Fighting Falcon and Hawk 200 only had one mainstay Sidewinder AIM – P4 , then Singapore and Malaysia in addition to already bring the AIM – 7 Sparrow and AIM – 120 AMRAAM , the two neighboring countries Indonesia had already had a newer version of the Sidewinder . Like Singapore , because this country is a close U.S. ally in Southeast Asia , Singapore in addition to a AIM-9J/P/S Sidewinder , also already have AIM – 9X Sidewinder to strengthen cyst in jet F – 15SG Strike Eagle . So also with Malaysia which helped buy the AIM – 9X to the F/A-18 Hornet

Infra red sensor on the snout guided missiles.

 

AIM–9X is the last version of the Sidewinder family, this missile was developed in 1986. These missiles have the capability first shot and first kill more responsive. Even the missile is equipped with thrust vectoring connected to the guidance fins, meaning that the missile can reach targets that turn though. AIM–9X turning radius is 120 meters, with this capability, pesaswat launcher does not need to maneuver to adjust to the target. 

 

R-73

One of the Sukhoi Su–27 Air Force. Looks right under the nose of the plane, one unit of R–73 missiles were in the display.

And like many reviews, the Air Force is now markedly featuring a combination of missiles purchased from Russia. Consists of air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface missiles. Surface to air missiles lines (ASM), the Kh–Kh–29TE 31Pdan. Both have been peeled in our previous article. While in-line air-to-air missiles, the Air Force brought the R–77 and R–73.
Special peeling R–73 (AA–11 Archer – in NATO code), can be called this missile has a full comparison with the Sidewinder. When Sidewinder AAM became a symbol of the supremacy of the U.S. and NATO close range, the R–73 was a mainstay since the era of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. And, similar to the Sidewinder, R–73 was made ​​up of a variety of variants, because this missile is actually not a product that very recently.

The rear of the R – 73 missile .

The rear of the R – 73 missile .
As a relic of the Cold War , the R – 73 was first developed in 1973 by Vympel NPO . And after passing a series of tests , the R – 73 began to be used by the Soviet Air Force in 1982 . Similar to the Sidewinder , R – 73 heat generated also eyeing the target , ie, the guiding infrared sensors ( infra- red guided ) all aspect . This means that R – 73 can beat the target of a variety of angles and positions . This missile is prepared to serve even the toughest dog fight , ie up to 12G level , not only that, the R – 73 can theoretically be operated from all weather conditions , and this has been another great anti- jamming missiles .
Similar to the AIM – 9X Sidewinder , R – 73 can be integrated with the pilot’s helmet , allowing the pilot to aim the target by just looking at it . R – 73 is powered by a solid-fuel rocket engine ( solid fuel rocket engines) . To maneuver , the R – 73 has four control fins located at the front and at the rear stabilizer wing . No less with the latest Sidewinder , R – 73 also has a thrust – vectoring which allows it to perform the most extreme maneuvers .

R–73 became a standard weapon in the Sukhoi Su-27/30. The missile is usually placed at both ends of the wings. Similar to the pattern Sidewinder.

R–73 looks at the wingtips Sukhoi Su–30 MKM AU indonesia

looks R–73 can be mounted on a multipurpose assault helicopter Mi–24 Hind. In theory helicopters Mi–35P Penerbad Army missile can be fitted with this.

Su – 35 seems fine with the stock R – 73 missiles .
R – 73 is currently manufactured by the Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing can chase the target until the speed of 2.5 Mach . Of the total weight is 105 kg , 7.4 kg warhead inside the form . What about range? For this one R – 73 had differences between variants . For type R – 73E ( 20 km ) , the R – 73M1 ( 30 km ) , and R – 73M2 ( 40 km ) . Which of the three are owned by Indonesia ? The answer is still waiting for confirmation of the Air Force . Of our expectations , which is owned by the Air Force version R-73M1/M2 , because missile developed since 1994 have enhanced the ability IRCCM ( Infra red counter – counter measure ) , in addition to the system is fully digital .
What is the R – 73 owned by the Air Force ? According to the SIPRI ( Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ) , an independent international institute dedicated to the study of conflict , armaments , arms control and disarmament , based in Sweden . Mentioned , in the year 2011 procurement transactions recorded 75 units of R – 73 by Indonesia . But do not consider Indonesia to be the most superior R – 73 , because again the Malaysian Air Force ( TUDM ) first arrival of R – 73 to complete sista Sukhoi Su – 30 MKM her . Besides Malaysia , Vietnam also adopted this missile .

REINCARNATION of  K-13

K–13 missile at the Indonesian Air Force MiG–21 Fishbed in aerospace museum – Yogyakarta.

K–13, the so-called NATO code AA–2 Atoll, none other dalah range missiles close to the maximum range of 8 km. The most interesting, the design and concept is indeed adapt Sidewinder missiles, missile legendary U.S. owned. According to widely circulated story, on 28 September 1958, an AIM–9B fired from an F–86 Sabre targets Taiwan with a MiG–17 but not the People’s Republic of China. Missiles are just stuck in the tail of the MiG aircraft and taken back to base and be an example of the development of Soviet missiles. More details about the C–13 Air Force, you can click it in this article.

Specification of R–73

Manufacturing: Vympel and Tblisi Aircraft Manufacturing

Weight: 10 kg
Warhead weight: 7.4 kg
Length: 2.9 meters
Diameter: 17 inches
Wingspan: 51 inches
Speed​​: 2.5 Mach
Max range: 40 km
Power: Solid fuel rocket engine