R-73
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1984
Total Production : ?
Model | Status | Year | Produced |
---|---|---|---|
R-73 | Active | 1984 | ? |
RVV-MD | Active | 2016 | ? |
RVV-MD2 | Active | 2023 | ? |
R-73
Group : Air-to-Air Missiles
Status : Active
Also Known As : AA-11 Archer, R-73E
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1984
Total Production : ?
The R-73 is a short range, air-to-air missile designed to be employed against highly maneuverable targets by Mig-29, Su-27 and latest Mig-23 fighter aircraft. The advanced R-73 missile features Thrust Vectoring Control (TVC) that offers unprecedented maneuverability in an air-to-air engagement as well as the capability of engage lateral targets to the aircraft through a helmet-mounted sight. Soviet Mig-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft equipped with the R-73 and a helmet-mounted sight have demonstrated its superiority in a short range engagement over NATO fighter aircraft.
The R-73 missile has been designed to operate in all weather, day/night, and jamming environments. It is a fire and forget missile with a passive Infrared seeker which locks on the target before launch.
The IRIS-T, AIM-9X and ASRAAM missiles have been developed to counter the R-73 outstanding performance in a dogfight scenario.
Operators
Country | Status | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Retired - No Longer Operational | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Retired - No Longer Operational | ? | Transferred to Ukraine in May/June 2022 |
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Retired - No Longer Operational | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? |
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Dimensions | ||
Diameter | 170 millimeter | |
Length | 2.9 meter | |
Wingspan | 510 millimeter | |
Mass | ||
Warhead | 7.5 kilogram | |
Weight | 105 kilogram | |
Performance | ||
Max Range | 20,000 meter | |
Speed | ||
Top Speed | 2,500 kph |
RVV-MD
Group : Air-to-Air Missiles
Status : Active
Also Known As : AA-11 Archer Mod 2, izdeliye 760, K-74M2, R-74, R-74M1, R-74M2, RVV-MDL (laser proximity fuze version)
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2016
Total Production : ?
The RVV-MD is an intense jamming resistant short range air-to-air missile designed to engage fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in close-in dogfight scenarios. This high maneuverable missile is intended for fighter aircraft and attack helicopters. RVV-MD is provided with a two-color passive IR seeker, thrust vectoring control, a fixed-thrust solid fuel motor, and radar proximity fuze or a laser proximity fuze ( RVV-MDL version). The 8 kg warhead is of rod type. The R-74M1/RRV-MD is a follow-up development based upon the R-73 missile and will be supplied to the latest generation of Russian fighter aircraft such as PAK FA stealth fighter. The R-74M2 has an improved seeker and seems optimized for use by the Su-57 starting in 2020.
Operators
Country | Status | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? |
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Dimensions | ||
Diameter | 0.17 meter | |
Length | 2.9 meter | |
Wingspan | 0.51 meter | |
G-load | ||
Max Maneuvering Load Factor | 12 g | refers to the target |
Mass | ||
Warhead | 8 kilogram | |
Weight | 106 kilogram | |
Performance | ||
Max Range | 40 kilometer | |
Min Range | 300 meter | |
Target's Max Altitude | 20,000 meter | |
Target's Min Altitude | 20 meter |
RVV-MD2
Group : Air-to-Air Missiles
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : August 2023
Total Production : ?
The RVV-MD2 is an improved variant of the RVV-MD short range air-to-air missile featuring an inertial control unit, improved dual-band infrared seeker and the ability to strike targets in the rear hemisphere. The new missile was deployed within the Russian Air Force Su-57 fighters in the mid-2023.
Operators
Country | Status | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Active | ? |
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Dimensions | ||
Diameter | 0.17 meter | |
Length | 2.9 meter | |
Wingspan | 0.51 meter | |
G-load | ||
Max Maneuvering Load Factor | 12 g | refers to the target |
Mass | ||
Warhead | 8 kilogram | |
Weight | 106 kilogram | |
Performance | ||
Max Range | 40 kilometer | |
Min Range | 300 meter | |
Target's Max Altitude | 20,000 meter | |
Target's Min Altitude | 20 meter |
News

The ministry added that the attack was carried out with air-to-air missiles on reconnaissance targets of the enemy MOSCOW, September 11.
New Delhi (Sputnik): The R-73 air-to-air missile was used by Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to allegedly shoot down an F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force on 27 February
New Delhi (Sputnik): The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expedited the process of acquiring air missiles in an attempt to fill the missile gap that was exposed during the dogfight
In the first indication that Russian missiles are being used by India's primary warplanes, including the Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000, the Indian Air Force has started user trials
The Indian Air Force (IAF) had asked for the immediate purchase of air-to-air missiles and guided missiles.
The first four Su-35 fighter jets from a 24 aircraft arms deal between the two allies are to be delivered before the end of the year according to a statement by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur
The war on terrorism in Syria is not over yet. However, after the bulk of Russian forces were withdrawn from Syria one can take a closer look at some aspects of how the operation

Ever since Russian forces deployed the Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback to fly anti-Daesh missions in Syria, the advanced fighter bomber (thanks to its impressive performance) has been
Russia will complete development of advanced tactical air-launched missile systems for the Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter within the next two years, the head of the
The Russian air force is completing a modification program for its MiG-31 interceptor aircraft to the MiG-31BM standard, the force's commander Col.
The Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun were not tampered during any trials. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Krishan Lal
The Light Combat Aircraft ‘TEJAS’ program achieved the most significant milestone yet when it successfully test fired the Close Combat Missile R-73 today at the air to air
Photo Gallery
Notes
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning
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