Air-to-Air (A2A) Missiles
An air-to-air missile (AAM) is a guided missile fired from an aircraft with the purpose of destroying
another aircraft or helicopter. It is typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid
fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled. Ramjet engines, as used on the MBDA Meteor (currently in development),
are emerging as propulsion that will enable future medium-range missiles to maintain higher average
speed across their engagement envelope.
Guidance
Guided missiles operate by detecting their target (usually by radar or infra-red methods, sometimes
by laser guidance or optical tracking), and then "homing" in on the target on a collision course.
The target is usually destroyed or damaged by means of an explosive warhead, often throwing out fragments
to increase the lethal radius, typically detonated by a proximity fuse (or impact fuse if it scores a
direct hit).
Note that although the missile may use radar or infra-red guidance to home on the target, this does not
necessarily mean that the same means is used by the launching aircraft to detect and track the target
before launch. Infra-red guided missiles can be "slaved" to an attack radar in order to find the target
and radar-guided missiles can be launched at targets detected visually or via an infra-red search and
track (IRST) system, although they may require the attack radar to illuminate the target during part or
all of the missile interception itself.
Radar guidance
Radar guidance is normally used for medium or long range missiles, where the infra-red signature of
the target would be too faint for an infra-red detector to track. There are two major types of radar-guided
missile - active and semi-active.
Active radar(AR)-guided missiles carry their own radar system to detect and track their target. However,
the size of the radar antenna is limited by the small diameter of missiles, limiting its range which
typically means such missiles have to use another method to get close to the target before turning their
radar set on, often inertial guidance).
Semi-active radar (SAR) homing missiles are simpler and more common. They function by detecting the
radar energy reflected from the target, the radar energy is emitted from the launch aircraft's own radar
signal. However, this means the launch aircraft has to maintain a "lock" on the target (keep illuminating
the target aircraft with its' own radar) until the missile makes the interception, limiting the attacking
aircraft's ability to maneuver, which may be necessary should threats to the attacking aircraft appear.
An early form of radar guidance was "beam-riding" (BR). In this method the attacking aircraft directed
a narrow beam of radar energy at the target. The air-to-air missile was launched into the beam where
sensors on the aft of the missile controlled the missile, keeping it within the beam. So long as the
beam was kept on the target aircraft, the missile would ride the beam until making the interception.
While simple in concept, the difficulty of simultaneously keeping the beam solidly on the target (which
couldn't be relied upon to cooperate by flying straight and level), continuing to fly one's own aircraft,
all the while keeping an eye out for enemy countermeasures, can be readily appreciated.
Although radar beam-riding air-to-air missiles are obsolete, the technology has since evolved toward
laser-beam guided air-to-ground munitions, such as laser-guided bombs (LGB). These precision-strike
munitions are sometimes called "smart weapons" by the press.
Radar guided missiles can be countered by rapid manoeuvring (which may result in them "breaking lock",
or may cause them to overshoot), deploying chaff or using electronic counter-measures.
Infrared guidance
Infrared guided (IR) missiles home on the heat produced by an aircraft. Early infra-red detectors had
poor sensitivity, so could only track the hot exhaust pipes of an aircraft. This meant an attacking
aircraft had to maneuver to a position behind its' target before it could fire an infra-red guided missile.
This also limited the range of the missile as the infra-red signature soon become too small to detect with
increasing distance and after launch the missile was playing "catch-up" with its' target.
More modern infra-red guided missiles can detect the heat of an aircraft's skin, warmed by the friction
of airflow, in addition to the fainter heat signature of the engine when the aircraft is seen from the
side or head-on. This, combined with greater maneuverability, gives them an "all-aspect" capability, and
an attacking aircraft no longer had to be behind its target to fire. Although launching from behind the
target increases the probability of a hit, the launching aircraft usually has to be closer to the target
in a tail-chase engagement.
An aircraft can defend against infra-red missiles by dropping flares that are hotter than the aircraft,
so the missile homes in on the brighter, hotter target. Towed decoys and infra-red jammers can also be
used. Some large aircraft and many combat helicopters make use of so called "hot brick" infra-red jammers,
typically mounted near the engines. Current research is developing laser devices which can spoof or
destroy the guidance systems of infra-red guided missiles.
However, the latest missiles such as the ASRAAM use an "imaging" infra-red seeker which "sees" the target (
much like a digital video camera), and can distinguish between an aircraft and a point heat source such
as a flare. They also feature a very wide detection angle, so the attacking aircraft does not have to
be pointing straight at the target for the missile to lock on. The pilot can use a helmet mounted sight
(HMS) and target another aircraft by looking at it, and then firing. This is called "off-bore sight"
launch. The Russian Su-27 is equipped with an infrared search and track (IRST) system with laser
rangefinder for its HMS-guided missiles.
Electro-optical
A recent advancement in missile guidance is electro-optical imaging. The Israeli Python-5 has an
electro-optical seeker that scans designated area for targets via optical imaging. Once a target
is acquired, the missile will lock-on to it for the kill. Electro-optical seekers can be programmed
to target vital area of an aircraft, such as the cockpit. Since it doesn't depend on the target
aircraft's heat signature, it can be used against low-heat targets such as UAV's and cruise missiles.
Design
Air-to-air missiles are typically long, thin cylinders in order to reduce their cross section and
thus minimize drag at the high speeds at which they travel. At the front is the seeker, either a
radar system, radar homer, or infra-red detector. Behind that lies the avionics which control the
missile. Typically after that, in the centre of the missile, is the warhead, usually several
kilograms of high explosive surrounded by metal that fragments on detonation.
The rear part of the missile contains the propulsion system, usually a rocket of some type. Dual-thrust
solid-fuel rockets are common, but some longer-range missiles use liquid-fuel motors that can "throttle"
to extend their range and preserve fuel for energy-intensive final manoeuvring. Some solid-fuelled
missiles mimic this technique with a second rocket motor which burns during the terminal homing phase.
There are missiles in development, such as the MBDA Meteor, that "breathe" air (using a ramjet, similar
to a jet engine) in order to extend their range. Modern missiles use "low-smoke" motors - early missiles
produced thick smoke trails, which were easily seen by the crew of the target aircraft alerting them to
the attack and helping them determine how to evade it.
Missile range
Missiles are often cited with their maximum engagement range, which is very misleading. A missile's
effective range is dependent on factors such as altitude, speed, position, and direction of target
aircraft. For example the Vympel R-77 has stated range of 100 km. That's only true for a head-on,
non-evading target at high altitude. At low altitude, the effective range is reduced by as much as
75%-80% to 20-25 km. If the target is taking evasive action, or in sterm-chase position, the effective
range is even further reduced. The effective range of an air-to-air missile is known as the
'no-escape zone', noting the range at which the target can not evade the missile once launched.
| Name |
AIM-120A AMRAAM |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
USA |
| Manufacturer |
Hughes Missile Systems Division |
| Date Deployed |
1991 |
| Range |
72 km (Some sources claim 48 km) |
| Speed |
Mach 4 |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Mid-course inertial navigation and Hughes active radar. |
| Warhead |
20 kg proximity and impact delay fused blast/fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
152 kg |
| Length |
3.66 m |
| Diameter |
0.178 m |
| Fin Span |
0.63 m |
| Platforms |
F-15 Eagle,
F-16 Falcon,
F/A-18 Hornet,
F-4F Phantom,
JAS-39 Gripen,
Tornado,
Sea-Harrier |
| Remarks |
Raytheon is also integrating the AIM-120 on the Eurofighter Typhoon,
F/A-22A and Harrier II+ |
| Name |
AIM-54A/C Phoenix |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
USA |
| Manufacturer |
Hughes Missiles Systems |
| Date Deployed |
1973 |
| Range |
180 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4.3+ |
| Propulsion |
One Aerojet Mk 60 Mod 0 or Rocketdyne Mk 47 Mod 0 solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Hughes DSQ-26 system using inertial, semi-active and active radar |
| Warhead |
59.9 kg Bendix IR and Downey Mk 334 radar proximity and impact delay
fused continuous rod blast/fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
446.8 kg |
| Length |
4.01 m |
| Diameter |
0.38 m |
| Fin Span |
0.925 m |
| Platforms |
The F-14 Tomcat navy planes |
| Name |
AIM-7F/M Sparrow |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
USA |
| Manufacturer |
Raytheon Co. |
| Date Deployed |
July 1956 |
| Range |
100 km |
| Speed |
Mach 3.7 |
| Propulsion |
One Hercules Mk 58 Mod 0 or Aerojet Mk 65 Mod 0 dual-thrust solid-propellant rocket
motor |
| Guidance |
Raytheon Advanced Monopulse Seeker inverse-monopulse semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead |
39.9 kg proximity and impact delay fused Mk 71 continuous- rod
blast/fragmetation |
| Launch Weight |
228.2 kg |
| Length |
3.68 m |
| Diameter |
0.203 m |
| Fin Span |
1.02 m |
| Platforms |
F-14 Tomcat,
F-15 Eagle,
F-16 Falcon,
F/A-18 Hornet
|
| Name |
AIM-9L/M Sidewinder |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
USA |
| Manufacturer |
Raytheon Co. and Ford Aerospace and Communications Co. |
| Date Deployed |
1976 for L 1983 for M |
| Range |
29.03 km |
| Speed |
Mach 2.5 |
| Propulsion |
One Thiokol or Bermite Mk 36 Model 7/8 solid-propellant rocket motor or ( later )
One reduced-smoke Thiokol Mk 36 Mod 9 ( TX-683 ) solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
DSQ-29 IR homing |
| Warhead |
10.2 kg Hughes DSU-15/B active laser-fused WDU-17 annular blast/fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
85.3 kg |
| Length |
2.85 m |
| Diameter |
0.127 m |
| Fin Span |
0.63 m |
| Name |
Skyflash |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
UK |
| Manufacturer |
British Aerospace |
| Date Deployed |
1978 |
| Range |
45 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4 |
| Propulsion |
One Aerojet Mk52 Mod 2 or Rocketdyne Mk38 Mod 4 solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Marconi XJ521 monopulse Semi-Active Radar Homing |
| Warhead |
39.5-kg HE fragmentation with contact, delay action fuses. |
| Launch Weight |
192.8 kg |
| Length |
3.68 m |
| Diameter |
0.203 m |
| Fin Span |
1.02 m |
| Platforms |
Tornado |
| Name |
AIM-132 ASRAAM |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
UK, Germany and Norway |
| Manufacturer |
British Aerospace |
| Date Deployed |
1998 ? |
| Range |
300 m to 15 km |
| Speed |
Mach 3+ |
| Propulsion |
One dual-thrust solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
strapdown inertial and Imaging Infrared |
| Warhead |
10 kg blast/fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
100 kg |
| Length |
2.73 m |
| Diameter |
0.168 m |
| Fin Span |
45 cm |
| Name |
MICA |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
France |
| Manufacturer |
Matra |
| Date Deployed |
1996 ? |
| Range |
50 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4 |
| Propulsion |
One SNPE solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Inertial with ESD Actif 4A active/semi-active radar or SAT IR on final approach. |
| Warhead |
Thomson Brandt blast/fragmentation 26.5 lb (12 kg) |
| Launch Weight |
110 kg |
| Length |
3.10 m |
| Diameter |
0.150 m |
| Fin Span |
0.56 m |
| Platforms |
Mirage 2000,
Rafale,
|
| Name |
Mistral (ATAM) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
France |
| Manufacturer |
? |
| Date Deployed |
1988? |
| Range |
5 km (at 4 km effective against helicopters ) |
| Speed |
2763 km/h |
| Propulsion |
two stage solid propellant boost motor |
| Guidance |
All-aspect Infra-red |
| Warhead |
3 kg HE tungsten ball |
| Fuze |
Laser proximity |
| Launch Weight |
18 kg |
| Length |
1.80 m |
| Diameter |
90 mm |
| Fin Span |
180 mm |
| Name |
Super 530F/D |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
France |
| Manufacturer |
Matra |
| Date Deployed |
19?? / 1979 |
| Range |
35 km |
| Speed |
Mach 3.7 |
| Guidance |
EMD Super AD26 semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead |
30 kg HE fragmentation with radar proximity fuze ( active radar fuzeing for D model) |
| Launch Weight |
245 kg (270 kg active radar fuze) |
| Length |
3.54 m (3.80 m) |
| Diameter |
263 mm |
| Tailspan |
0.64 m forward fins; 0.88 m aft fins |
| Name |
R.550 Magic |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
France |
| Manufacturer |
Matra |
| Date Deployed |
1975 |
| Range |
9.3 km |
| Speed |
Mach 2.7 |
| Propulsion |
SNPE Romeo single-stage composite-DB rocket |
| Guidance |
Infra-red ( not all-aspect ) |
| Warhead |
12.5 kg high explosive |
| Launch Weight |
89.8 kg |
| Length |
2.77 m |
| Diameter |
157 mm |
| Fin Span |
660 mm |
| Platforms |
F-8E Crusader, Super Etendard
|
| Name |
R550 Magic 2 MK2 |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
France |
| Manufacturer |
Matra S.A. |
| Date Deployed |
1985 |
| Range |
320m minimum to 5,400m maximum |
| Speed |
Mach 2.7 |
| Propulsion |
Advanced SNPE Richard rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Infra-red homing all aspect |
| Warhead |
12.5 kg Blast fragmentation with radar proximity fuze |
| Launch Weight |
89.8 kg |
| Length |
2.75 m |
| Diameter |
157mm |
| Fin Span |
0.66 m |
| Platforms |
Mirage 2000,
Rafale,
Super Etendard
|
| Name |
Aspide Mk1/Mk2 |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Italy |
| Manufacturer |
Selenia |
| Date Deployed |
? |
| Range |
1 - 55 km; 80 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4 |
| Propulsion |
One SNIA-Viscosa solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Selenia monopulse semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead |
33 kg SNIA Difesa e Spazio blast/fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
220 kg; 230 kg |
| Length |
3.70 m; 3.65 m |
| Diameter |
203 mm; 210 mm |
| Fin Span |
1.00 m ; 1.00 m |
| Name |
Python 3 |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Israel |
| Manufacturer |
Raytheon Armament Development Authority |
| Date Deployed |
Mid 1980's |
| Range |
0.5 km to 15 km |
| Speed |
Mach 3.5 |
| Propulsion |
One Rafael Armaments Development Authority double-base solid propellant rocket
motor |
| Guidance |
IR homing |
| Warhead |
11 kg |
| Launch Weight |
120 kg |
| Length |
3.00 m |
| Diameter |
160 mm |
| Fin Span |
0.86 m |
| Remarks |
The Python can be fitted to F-15, F-16,
all types of Mirage, F-5, F-4 Phantom
and Kfir C-2 and C-7 aircraft
|
| Name |
Python 4 |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Israel |
| Manufacturer |
Raytheon Armament Development Authority |
| Date Deployed |
Mid 1980's |
| Range |
0.5 km to 15 km |
| Speed |
Mach 3.5 |
| Propulsion |
One Rafael Armaments Development Authority double-base solid propellant rocket
motor |
| Guidance |
IR homing |
| Warhead |
11 kg |
| Launch Weight |
120 kg |
| Length |
3.00 m |
| Diameter |
160 mm |
| Fin Span |
0.86 m |
| Name |
R-40R/T ( AA-6A/B Acrid ) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Russia |
| Manufacturer |
- |
| Date Deployed |
Late 60s |
| Range |
30 km (R-40); 50 km (R-40TD and R-40RD) |
| Speed |
Mach 4.5 |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Fuze |
Radar and active laser |
| Guidance |
Command, inertial and semi-active radar (R-40R); Command, inertial and IR (R-40T) |
| Warhead |
70 kg HE fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
475 kg |
| Length |
6.2 m |
| Diameter |
355 mm |
| Fin Span |
1.8 m |
| Platforms |
Mig-25 Foxbat |
| Name |
R-60 ( AA-8 Aphid ) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Russia |
| Manufacturer |
? |
| Date Deployed |
1975 |
| Range |
3 km, 5 km 10 km |
| Speed |
Mach 2+ |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Fuze |
Two active radar fuze aerials located aft of the
moving control fins, and a single strake running down the forward half of the body. Active
laser in R-60M |
| Guidance |
All aspect Infrared |
| Warhead |
6 kg ( 1.6 kg of which is uranium ) HE fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
65 kg |
| Length |
2.08 m |
| Diameter |
130 mm |
| Fin Span |
0.43 m |
| Platforms |
Su-24 FencerSu-25 Frogfoot
Mig-23/27 Flogger |
| Name |
R-33E ( AA-9 Amos ) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Russia |
| Manufacturer |
Vympel |
| Date Deployed |
1985? |
| Range |
160 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4.5 |
| Propulsion |
solid rocket |
| Fuze |
Active radar |
| Guidance |
Inertial, command updates and semi-active radar |
| Warhead |
47 kg HE fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
490 kg |
| Length |
4.15 m |
| Diameter |
380mm |
| Fin Span |
1.18 m (0.9 m wingspan) |
| Platforms |
Mig-31 Foxhound, up to 6 can be carried |
| Name |
R-27R/T ( AA-10 Alamo A/B/C/D ) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Russia |
| Manufacturer |
Vympel |
| Date Deployed |
1982 |
| Range |
2 - 80 km R-27R 70 km R-27T 130 km R-27RE 120 km R-27TE |
| Speed |
Mach 4 |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
SARH R-27R, R-27E All-aspect Infrared R-27T, R-27TE |
| Warhead |
39 kg expanding rod |
| Launch Weight |
253 kg R-27R 254 kg R-27T 350 kg R-27RE 343 kg R-27TE |
| Length |
3.70 m |
| Diameter |
230 mm |
| Fin Span |
0.77 m |
| Platforms |
Mig-29 Fulcrum, Su-27 Flanker, Su-35 Super Flanker |
| Name |
R-73 ( AA-11 Archer ) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Russia |
| Manufacturer |
Vympel |
| Date Deployed |
1980s |
| Range |
20 km (R-73M1) 30 km (R-73M2) 40 km |
| Speed |
Mach 2.5 |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
All aspect Infrared |
| Warhead |
7.4 kg HE expanding rod warhead |
| Launch Weight |
105 kg (R-73M1) 115 kg (R-73M2) |
| Length |
2.9 m |
| Diameter |
170 mm |
| Fin Span |
0.51 m |
| Platforms |
Mig-29 Fulcrum, Mig-31 Foxhound,
Su-24 Fencer, Su-25 Frogfoot,
Su-27 Flanker,
Su-35 Super Flanker
|
| Name |
R-77 ( AA-12 Adder ) |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
Russia |
| Manufacturer |
Vympel |
| Date Deployed |
1992 |
| Range |
50 km 90 km 150 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4.5 |
| Propulsion |
solid rocket |
| Fuze |
Active radar |
| Guidance |
Radio Command + active radar homing on terminal phase (<20 km) |
| Warhead |
30 kg HE fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
175 kg |
| Length |
3.60 m |
| Diameter |
200 mm |
| Fin Span |
0.35 m |
| Platforms |
Mig-29 Fulcrum, Mig-31 Foxhound,
Su-25 Frogfoot,
Su-27 Flanker,
Su-35 Super Flanker
|
| Name |
PL-7 |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
China |
| Manufacturer |
China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation |
| Date Deployed |
Mid 1980's |
| Range |
500m minimum to 14.4 km |
| Speed |
Mach 2.5 |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
IR, all aspect homing |
| Warhead |
13 kg HE fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
89 kg |
| Length |
2.72 m |
| Diameter |
160 mm |
| Wingspan |
0.66 m |
| Name |
PL-10 |
| Picture |
 |
| Country |
China |
| Manufacturer |
China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation |
| Date Deployed |
Mid 1980's |
| Range |
60 km |
| Speed |
Mach 4 |
| Propulsion |
One solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance |
Radar guided, Semi-active terminal |
| Warhead |
33 kg HE fragmentation |
| Launch Weight |
220 kg |
| Length |
3.66 m |
| Diameter |
? |
| Wingspan |
? |
Air-to-air missiles in service or under development, as of 1996
Guidance Types:
IR = Infrared
OPT = optical
IR/ALL = Infrared All-Aspect
AR/ARH = Active Radar Homing
SAR = semi-active radar
SARH = Semi-Active Radar Homing
TARH = Terminal Active Radar Homing
IMTARH = Inertial, Midcourse updates, terminal active
PR = passive radar
I = Inertial
M = Mid-Course Update.
| Missile |
Length |
Mass |
Range |
Speed |
Warhead |
Guidance |
| (name) |
(m) |
(kg) |
(km) |
(Mach) |
(kg) |
(see table) |
| International |
| AIM-132A ASRAAM (ordered, not in service) | 2.90 | 87 | 15 | ? | 10 | IR |
| Meteor (S225X merged with A3M,not in service) | ? | ? | 100 | ? | ? | IMTARH |
| Brazil |
| MAA-1 Mol | 2.82 | 90 | 10 | 2.0 | 12 | IR |
| China |
| PL-2 | 2.99 | 76 | 3 | ? | 11 | IR |
| PL-3 | 2.99 | 82 | 3 | ? | 14 | IR |
| PL-5B | 2.89 | 85 | 16 | ? | 9 | IR |
| PL-7 | 2.75 | 90 | ? | ? | 13 | IR |
| PL-8 | 3.00 | 120 | 5 | ? | 11 | IR |
| PL-9 | 2.99 | 120 | 5 | ? | 10 | IR |
| PL-10 | 3.99 | 300 | 15 | 3.0 | ? | SAR |
| France |
| MICA AR | 3.10 | 110 | 60 | ? | ? | AR |
| MICA IR | 3.10 | 110 | 60 | ? | ? | IR |
| R.550 Magic 1 | 2.72 | 89 | 10 | 2.0 | 13 | IR |
| R.550 Magic 2 | 2.75 | 90 | 10 | 2.0 | 13 | IR |
| Super 530D | 3.80 | 270 | 40 | 4.5 | 30 | SAR |
| Super 530F | 3.54 | 245 | 35 | 4.5 | 30 | SAR |
| Germany |
| IRIS-T | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | IR |
| India |
| Astra | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | AR |
| Israel |
| Python 3 | 3.00 | 120 | 15 | 3.5 | 11 | IR |
| Python 4 | 3.00 | ? | ? | ? | ? | IR |
| Shafrir 2 | 2.60 | 93 | 5 | ? | 11 | IR |
| Italy |
| Aspide 1 | 3.70 | 220 | 100 | 4.0 | 35 | SAR |
| Aspide 2 | 3.65 | 230 | 100 | 4.0 | 35 | SAR |
| Japan |
| AAM-3 Type 90 | 2.60 | 70 | 5 | ? | ? | IR |
| Russia |
| K-13A/R-13S "AA-2 Atoll" | 2.84 | 75 | 8 | 2.5 | 11 | IR |
| K-13M/R-13M "AA-2-2 Atoll-D" | 2.87 | 90 | 13 | 2.5 | 11 | IR |
| K-13R/R-13R "AA-2-2 Atoll-C" | 3.50 | 93 | 8 | 2.5 | 11 | SAR |
| Kh-31P "AS-17 Krypton" | 5.23 | 600 | 200 | 3.0 | 90 | PR |
| KS-172 RVV-L | 7.40 | 750 | 400 | ? | ? | AR |
| R-23R "AA-7 Apex" | 4.46 | 244 | 27 | 3.4 | 35 | SAR |
| R-23T "AA-7 Apex" | 4.16 | 217 | 27 | 3.4 | 35 | IR |
| R-24R "AA-7 Apex" | 4.46 | ? | ? | ? | ? | SAR |
| R-24T "AA-7 Apex" | 4.16 | ? | ? | ? | ? | IR |
| R-27EA "AA-10 Alamo" | 4.78 | 350 | 130 | ? | 39 | AR |
| R-27EM "AA-10 Alamo" | 4.78 | 350 | 170 | ? | 39 | SAR |
| R-27ER "AA-10 Alamo-C" | 4.78 | 350 | 130 | ? | 39 | SAR |
| R-27ET "AA-10 Alamo-D" | 4.78 | 350 | 130 | ? | 39 | IR |
| R-27P "AA-10 Alamo" | ? | ? | ? | ? | 39 | PR |
| R-27R "AA-10 Alamo-A" | 4.08 | 235 | 60 | ? | 39 | SAR |
| R-27T "AA-10 Alamo-B" | 3.80 | 245 | 40 | ? | 39 | IR |
| R-33 "AA-9 Amos" | 4.15 | 490 | 120 | ? | 47 | SAR |
| R-37 | ? | 600 | 150 | ? | ? | AR |
| R-40RD "AA-6 Acrid" | 5.98 | 461 | 70 | 4.5 | 38 | SAR |
| R-40TD "AA-6 Acrid" | 5.98 | 460 | 30 | 4.5 | 38 | IR |
| R-60 "AA-8 Aphid" | 2.14 | 45 | 7 | 2.5 | 4 | IR |
| R-60M "AA-8 Aphid" | 2.14 | 45 | ? | 2.5 | 4 | IR |
| R-60MK "AA-8 Aphid" | 2.14 | 45 | 12 | 2.5 | 4 | IR |
| R-73/R-73M1 "AA-11 Archer" | 2.90 | 105 | 15 | ? | 7 | IR |
| R-73E/R-73M2 "AA-11 Archer" | 2.90 | 110 | 30 | ? | 7 | IR |
| R-77 RVV-AE "AA-12" | 3.60 | 175 | 90 | 3.0 | 18 | IMTARH |
| South Africa |
| Darter | 2.75 | 89 | 10 | 4.2 | 16 | IR |
| V3B Kukri | 2.94 | 73 | 4 | 3.9 | ? | IR |
| Taiwan |
| Sky Sword I | 2.87 | 90 | 15 | ? | ? | IR |
| Sky Sword II | 3.60 | 190 | 40 | ? | ? | SAR |
| United Kingdom |
| Active Sky Flash (cancelled) | 3.66 | 208 | 50 | 4.0 | 30 | AR |
| Sky Flash | 3.66 | 192 | 50 | 4.0 | 30 | SAR |
| United States of America |
| AIM-7M Sparrow | 3.66 | 230 | 100 | 2.5 | 39 | SAR |
| AIM-7P Sparrow | 3.66 | 230 | 45 | ? | 39 | SAR |
| AIM-7R Sparrow | 3.66 | ? | 45 | ? | ? | IR+SAR |
| AIM-9J Sidewinder | 3.07 | 78 | 15 | 2.5 | ? | IR |
| AIM-9L Sidewinder | 2.87 | 87 | 18 | 2.5 | 10 | IR |
| AIM-9M Sidewinder | 2.87 | 87 | 8 | 2.5 | 10 | IR |
| AIM-9P Sidewinder | 3.07 | 82 | 8 | 2.5 | 12 | IR |
| AIM-9R Sidewinder | 2.87 | 87 | 8 | 2.5 | 10 | Opt |
| AIM-9S Sidewinder | 2.87 | 87 | 8 | 2.5 | 10 | IR |
| AIM-54C Phoenix | 4.30 | 463 | 200 | 4.0 | 60 | IMTARH |
| AIM-92A Stinger | 1.52 | 14 | 5 | 2.0 | 3 | IR |
| AIM-120A AMRAAM | 3.65 | 157 | 75 | 4.0 | 22 | IMTARH |
| Have Dash | 3.00 | 180 | 50 | 3.0 | ? | AR+IR |
Note: The figures and numbers above are guess-estimates based on the averaging of data from many
sources including Danshistory website, Janes Defense Information Group and the Russian Aviation Page. This
may account for small variations of the numbers compared to other sources.
Note: Part of the 'Air-to-Air (A2A) Missiles' introduction text is from Wikipedia.
1996-2007 Fighter Planes and Military Aircraft