The Bisnovat (later Molniya) R-4 (NATO reporting name AA-5 'Ash') was an early Soviet long-range air-to-air missile. It was used primarily as the sole weapon of the Tupolev Tu-128 interceptor, matching its RP-S Smerch ('Tornado') radar.
| R-4 AA-5 Ash | |
|---|---|
 R-4 missile under wing of Tupolev Tu-128 | |
| Type | Heavy air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1963-1990 |
| Used by | Soviet Air Forces |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Bisnovat |
| Specifications (R-4R) | |
| Mass | 492.5 kg (1,086 lb) |
| Length | 5.44 m (17 ft 10 in) |
| Diameter | 310 mm (12 in) |
| Warhead | High explosive |
| Warhead weight | 53 kg (117 lb) |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 2 to 25 kilometres (1.2 to 15.5 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.6 |
Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing (R-4R) Infrared homing (R-4T) |
Launch platform | Tu-128 |
History
editDevelopment of the R-4 began in 1959, initially designated as K-80 or R-80, entering operational service around 1963, together with Tu-128.[1] Like many Soviet weapons, it was made in both semi-active radar homing (R-4R) and infrared-homing (R-4T) versions.[2] Standard Soviet doctrine was to fire the weapons in SARH/IR pairs to increase the odds of a hit.[3] Target altitude was from 8 to 21 km. Importantly for the slow-climbing Tu-128, the missile could be fired even from 8 km below the target.
In 1973 the weapon was modernized to R-4MR (SARH) / MT (IR) standard, with lower minimal target altitude (0.5–1 km),[4] improved seeker performance, and compatibility with the upgraded RP-SM Smerch-M radar.
The R-4 survived in limited service until 1990, retiring along with the last Tu-128 aircraft.[1]
Operators
edit
Specifications (R-4T / R-4R)
edit- Length: (R-4T) 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in); (R-4R) 5.45 m (17 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 1300 mm (4 ft 3 in)
- Diameter: 310 mm (12.2 in)
- Launch weight: (R-4T) 480 kg (1,058 lb); (R-4R) 492.5 kg (1,086 lb)
- Speed: Mach 1.6
- Range: (R-4T) 2–15 km (9.35 mi); (R-4R) 2–25 km
- Guidance: (R-4T) infrared homing; (R-4R) semi-active radar homing
- Warhead: 53 kg ( 116.6 lb) high explosive
References
edit- ^ a b Gunston 2000, p. 435.
- ^ Gunston 2000, p. xvi.
- ^ Gunston 2000, p. xxvi.
- ^ "Russia's Super-Sized Tu-128 Fighter: The Supersonic B-52 Killer". April 2017.
- Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
- Gunston, Bill (2000). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84176-096-4.
External links
edit- К-80, Р-4 - description in Russian, with pictures.