Newly released images of Russia’s advanced new fighter jets seem to show some modified versions of long-range air-to-air missiles under their wings, suggesting Moscow is pushing the weapons onto new platforms, greatly enhancing their ability to patrol the skies.
Commemorative videos celebrating the centennial of the opening of Russia’s Akhtubinsk Flight Test Center in Astrakhan Oblast included some interesting footage of potential new missile designs that could make Russia’s long-range interceptors even more potent.
One aircraft seems to have the K-77M missile, a highly advanced design that incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker radar, designed to compensate for enemy pilots’ extreme maneuvers intended to trick the missile and evade it. The regular R-77 missile is a rough analogue of the United States’ AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile, and its upgrades in range have paralleled those of the AMRAAM, with the K-77M reportedly having a vastly extended range of up to 100 miles. The missile is intended to become the Su-57’s primary air weapon.
In another, much shorter video on Akhtubinsk put out by the Russian Ministry of Defense, an Su-35S is seen launching what seems to be an R-37M air-to-air missile. The missile is well-known; its ultra-long range – reported as being up to 186 miles – is well-suited to the MiG-31, Russia’s primary long-range interceptor, which sports a special, powerful radar that can use the R-37M to maximum effect.
A Russian Su-35S fighter jet fires what appears to be an R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missile in a promotional video by the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Su-57 has also been tested as a platform for the ultra-long-range missile.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
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