"The R-37M missile carries a 60kg warhead, about three times larger than the warheads typically fitted to air-to-air missiles. It is suitable for carrying a miniaturized nuclear warhead," Military Watch Magazine reported.
So what exactly is the R-37M long-range air-to-air missile that has attracted so much attention from US and Western intelligence?
The missile destroyed its target at a distance of over 200km.
The R-37M (NATO designation: AA-13 "Axehead") is an upgraded version of the R-37 missile, developed since the 1980s by Vympel Corporation. The initial goal was to create a very long-range air-to-air missile (VLRAAM) capable of destroying airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft and aerial refueling aircraft, key targets in modern warfare.
After numerous tests, the R-37M officially entered service in 2014, primarily equipping air superiority fighter aircraft such as the Mig-31BM and Su-35S. According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense , the missile passed rigorous tests, including hitting a moving target at an altitude of 25 km and a speed of 4,500 km/h.
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The R-37M missile is currently one of the world's longest-range air-to-air missiles. Photo: TASS |
The R-37M missile's strength lies in its range of up to 400km when launched from an altitude above 20km, reaching Mach 6 (six times the speed of sound). For highly maneuverable targets, the missile's range is reduced to just over 200km. The missile is equipped with the AGSN-37 active radar system combined with inertial guidance, updating the target position from the launch aircraft during the mid-phase to engage targets at long distances.
Russian military expert, Major General Mikhail Khodarenok, commented: “The R-37M is not just a defensive weapon; it forces the enemy to maintain a safe distance, disrupting NATO’s long-range attack tactics. A squadron of Mig-31s carrying the R-37M can control an airspace of 300,000 km².” In combat, the R-37M has proven effective by shooting down a flying target at a record distance of 217 km.
Konstantin Makienko, Deputy Director of the Russian Center for Strategic and Technological Analysis, told Gazeta that the R-37M missile was initially intended for equipping the 5th-generation Su-57 fighter jet and the MiG-31BM interceptor, but the 4++ generation Su-35S fighter jet has now been added to this list.
According to expert Konstantin Makienko, the R-37M missile and the Mig-31BM aircraft are a perfect "pair," as the missile can utilize the carrier aircraft's powerful airborne radar system to attack targets at ultra-long ranges. In particular, with its small nuclear warhead, a single R-37M missile is capable of destroying an entire squadron of enemy fighter jets with just one successful hit.
R-37M from the perspective of Western experts.
As a powerful weapon in Russian air combat, the R-37M missile has also received high praise from Western military experts. Former US Air Force Commander, Dr. David Deptula, commented: "The R-37M deprives opponents of their long-range air-to-air advantage. Even the F-22 Raptor has to be cautious when entering the 300km radius of the MiG-31."
Another strength of the R-37M missile is its AGSN-37 radar system, which uses the Ka-band (27-40 GHz) frequency, making it more difficult to jam compared to conventional X-band frequencies.
However, the R-37M missile is also said to have a weakness: it relies on fighter aircraft equipped with powerful airborne radar to maximize its range. Justin Bronk, an expert at the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies in the UK, assessed: "The R-37M needs a powerful radar like the Zaslon-M of the MiG-31 to detect targets at long range. If the mother aircraft is disabled, the missile is unlikely to accurately strike targets at long range.”
Expert Justin Bronk emphasized that each R-37M missile costs an estimated $2-3 million, five times more expensive than the AIM-120D. This limits the widespread use of this expensive missile. Furthermore, despite its high speed, the R-37M missile faces challenges when engaging the F-35 or J-20 due to its lack of infrared sensors.
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| The R-37M is the primary armament on the Russian Air Force's Mig-31BM heavy fighter jet. Photo: RIAN |
According to Jane's Defence magazine, the R-37M currently leads in range, but the American AIM-260 JATM missile (expected to be deployed in 2025) could level the playing field thanks to its multi-mode guidance technology.
According to the military magazine Topwar, Russia may be testing a version of the R-37MKH missile with a speed of Mach 8 and a range of 500km, incorporating infrared sensors to counter stealth targets. However, to be able to counter hypersonic weapons, the development path for a new version of the R-37 missile will be very long.
TUAN SON (compiled)
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Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nhan-dien-ten-lua-khong-doi-khong-moi-cua-nga-253520.html
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