The Vympel R-27 missile (with the NATO reporting name AA-10 Alamo) is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and air forces of the former Commonwealth of Independent States.

The R-27 is manufactured in infrared-homing (R-27T), semi-active-radar-homing (R-27R), and active-radar-homing (R-27AE) versions, in Russia and Ukraine. This missile is carried by the Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, and some of the later-model MiG-23MLD fighters were also adapted to carry it. The R-27 missile is also license-produced in the PRC, though the production license was bought from the country of Ukraine instead of Russia. The Chinese-licensed production does not include the active-radar-homing version, and China developed its own active-radar version by adapting into it the active-radar seeker of the Vympel R-77 missile, which was sold to the PRC by Russia in the R-27 missile.

Versions of the R-27 missile

• R-27R AA-10 Alamo-A, semi-active radar homing. Range up to 80 km under optimal conditions
• R-27T AA-10 Alamo-B, infrared homing, passive homing using the Avtomatika 9B-1032 (PRGS-27) IR seeker head. Weight 248 kg. Range 3.0 km to 70 km.
• R-27ER AA-10 Alamo-C, the semi-active-radar homing extended-range version, which is 70 cm longer and slightly wider. Range 130 km. Entered service 1990.
• R-27ET AA-10 Alamo-D, the infrared-homing extended-range version, which is 70 cm longer and slightly wider, using the Avtomatika 9B-1032 (PRGS-27) seeker head. Range 120 km. Weight 348 kg. Entered service in 1990.
• R-27AE AA-10 Alamo-E, active-radar-homing long-range version. Range 1.0 km to 130 km. Weight 349 kg.
• R-27EM, the naval version. Semi-active-radar homing with an upgraded seeker head, enabling it to engage targets flying at three meters above the sea.
• R-27P, a passive anti-radiation missile, similar to the US/NATO "Shrike" missile.

Operational service

During the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from May 1998 to June 2000, R-27 missiles were used in combat by both Ethiopian Su-27s and Eritrean MiG-29s.Even if a number of aircraft from both sides were reported shot down, it cannot be determined whether they were downed by R-27s, or infrared-guided R-73s or R-60s, or by air-to-air gunfire.

Deployers of the R-27

Former Deployers of the R-27

• / /Serbia and Montenegro

See also

• List of missiles

References

1. [1]

• Russia's Arms Catalog 2004

External links

• http://www.airwar.ru/weapon/avv/r27.html
• http://www.military.cz/russia/air/weapons/rockets/aam/r27/r27.htm