Something for Vympel

Thought this may be of interest to Vympel (and others), as I’m not sure it’s widely available:

The Kiev Arsenal central design bureau has presented for the first time ever an optic homing head of the new generation MM-2000 at the Aviasvit-XXI airshow. The head is designed for newly developed short range aircraft-based missiles for close mobile air fight, as well as for the modernization of existing missiles.

A distinctive feature of the MM-2000 head is a highly sensitive multielement two-spectra receiver of infrared radiation, programmable antijamming algorithms suitable for the new generation of targets and interference, an option for external target indication from helmet-mounted target indication system and an optic or radar station. The head also has an extended, up to 60 degrees, target indication range.

As it is well known, Arsenal is the developer and the serial manufacturer of thermal radiation homing head Mayak-80 and its modifications for short range missile R-73 (AA-11 Archer, according to NATO classification). This missile is the principle weapon in a close air fight for Russian fighters and for aircraft produced for export. As of today, there are two major types of P-73 missile produced for Russian aircraft and for export: one with non-contact radar detonator Krechet and another one with laser non-contact detonator Yantar. Both types of the missile were designed during Soviet time. The Moscow-based plant Kommunar, now joint-stock company Dooks, produces the missiles serially. Missile control during its operation, as well as preparation for application in action are performed at a support station Gurt designed by the Ukrainian state-owned joint-stock holding company Artem.

It is likely that the homing head of the new generation MM-2000 presented by the Arsenal Central Design Bureau will be used for the serious modernization of the R-73 missile. The Russian Vympel design bureau, a member of the Tactical Missiles Armament Corporation, is cherishing plans for this, what is quite in line with the Russian state programme for armament. Again it is Vympel which develops perspective air-to-air missiles of short, medium and long range, increasing their combat effectiveness gradually in order to equip with them the fighter of the fifth generation.

Earlier, in late 2005, representatives of the Vympel deign bureau said that R-73 missile would be equipped with Russian infrared homing head, but it appeared that they were speaking about an improved monochrome infrared receiver. It was not any better than a serial MK-80 homing head for regular R-73 missile from the Ukrainian supplier. Moreover, after the collapse of the Soviet Union there appeared a variant of the R-73 missile with improved thermal radiation homing heads produced at the Arsenal Central Design Bureau. The head has an extended up to 60 degrees target indication range (for a standard R-73 missile this value was only 45 degrees) and better energy characteristics.

Nevertheless, the management of the Vympel design bureau said that the modernized missile would be ready for serial production in late 2006. This missile will have a completely new digital hardware (earlier it was equipped with analogue hardware) and new software for homing head and flight control. Thanks to this, all its performance will improve including a flight range, sensitivity, manoeuvrability and jamming resistance. Although a solid fuel missile engine will not undergo any changes, the effective flight range of R-73 will increase by 40 per cent and reach 40 km, the developers say. This result will be achieved due to an improvement in the missile control system that would enable it to select the best path.

Nevertheless, there is no information about serial production of the Russian homing head and the new version of the R-73 missile. This may indicate indirectly that Russians have failed to solve all the problems to begin producing thermal radiation homing heads on their own.

Source: Defense-Express (26th June, 2006)

Best regards

Steve Rush