Kaliningrad K-8
Encyclopedia
The Kaliningrad K-8 (NATO reporting name
AA-3 'Anab') was a medium-range air-to-air missile
developed by the Soviet Union
for interceptor aircraft
use.
Developed by OKB-339/NII-339 (currently Phazotron NIIR
). Infrared seeker was developed by TsKB-589 GKOT (currently TsKB Geofizika), who also developed seeker for 9M31 missile of 9K31 Strela-1.
or infrared
seeker heads. The original missile was compatible with the Uragan-5B radar
used on the Sukhoi Su-11
and several developmental aircraft from Mikoyan-Gurevich.
It was upgraded to R-8M (better known as R-98) standard in 1961, giving the SARH weapon the capability for head-on intercepts. In 1963 it was further upgraded to the R-8M1, making it compatible with the RP-11 Oriol-D radar of the Sukhoi Su-15
and Yakovlev Yak-28P
.
Subsequent development led in 1965 to R-8M2, more commonly called R-98, with longer range and improved seekers, compatible with the upgraded RP-11 Oryol-M ("Eagle") radar. The final variant, introduced from 1973, was the R-98M1 (NATO 'Advanced Anab') with better countermeasures resistance and longer range, matched to the Taifun-M radar of the Su-15TM
and Yak-28PM
interceptors.
The R-98M1 remained in service through the 1980s, being withdrawn with the last Su-15 'Flagon' interceptors.
A variant using the seeker heads of the K-13, giving better dogfight capability, was developed in 1960 as the K-88, but it did not enter service.
An inert training version was also developed, designated UR-8M.
The R-98 brought down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 on Sept. 1, 1983.
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...
AA-3 'Anab') was a medium-range air-to-air missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
developed by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
for interceptor aircraft
Interceptor aircraft
An interceptor aircraft is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically to prevent missions of enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Interceptors generally rely on high speed and powerful armament in order to complete their mission as quickly as possible and set up...
use.
Developed by OKB-339/NII-339 (currently Phazotron NIIR
Phazotron
JSC Phazotron , is Russia's largest developer of military radars and avionics. Named after one of the major projects and the most important one it was involved in, the first cosmotron in the former-USSR, it was first formed in 1917 to produce aviation instruments...
). Infrared seeker was developed by TsKB-589 GKOT (currently TsKB Geofizika), who also developed seeker for 9M31 missile of 9K31 Strela-1.
History
The K-8's development began in 1955, known as R-8 in service. Like most Soviet air-to-air missiles, it was made with a choice of semi-active radar homingSemi-active radar homing
Semi-active radar homing, or SARH, is a common type of missile guidance system, perhaps the most common type for longer-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems. The name refers to the fact that the missile itself is only a passive detector of a radar signal – provided by an external ...
or infrared
Infrared homing
Infrared homing refers to a passive missile guidance system which uses the emission from a target of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum to track and follow it. Missiles which use infrared seeking are often referred to as "heat-seekers", since infrared is just below the...
seeker heads. The original missile was compatible with the Uragan-5B radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
used on the Sukhoi Su-11
Sukhoi Su-11
|-See also:-External links:***...
and several developmental aircraft from Mikoyan-Gurevich.
It was upgraded to R-8M (better known as R-98) standard in 1961, giving the SARH weapon the capability for head-on intercepts. In 1963 it was further upgraded to the R-8M1, making it compatible with the RP-11 Oriol-D radar of the Sukhoi Su-15
Sukhoi Su-15
The Sukhoi Su-15 was a twin-engined supersonic interceptor developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s to replace the Sukhoi Su-11, which was becoming obsolete as the United States and Britain introduced newer and more capable strategic bombers...
and Yakovlev Yak-28P
Yakovlev Yak-28
The Yakovlev Yak-28 was a swept wing, turbojet-powered combat aircraft used by the Soviet Union. Produced initially as a bomber, it was also manufactured in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, interceptor, and trainer versions, known by the NATO reporting names Brewer, Firebar, and Maestro...
.
Subsequent development led in 1965 to R-8M2, more commonly called R-98, with longer range and improved seekers, compatible with the upgraded RP-11 Oryol-M ("Eagle") radar. The final variant, introduced from 1973, was the R-98M1 (NATO 'Advanced Anab') with better countermeasures resistance and longer range, matched to the Taifun-M radar of the Su-15TM
Sukhoi Su-15
The Sukhoi Su-15 was a twin-engined supersonic interceptor developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s to replace the Sukhoi Su-11, which was becoming obsolete as the United States and Britain introduced newer and more capable strategic bombers...
and Yak-28PM
Yakovlev Yak-28
The Yakovlev Yak-28 was a swept wing, turbojet-powered combat aircraft used by the Soviet Union. Produced initially as a bomber, it was also manufactured in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, interceptor, and trainer versions, known by the NATO reporting names Brewer, Firebar, and Maestro...
interceptors.
The R-98M1 remained in service through the 1980s, being withdrawn with the last Su-15 'Flagon' interceptors.
A variant using the seeker heads of the K-13, giving better dogfight capability, was developed in 1960 as the K-88, but it did not enter service.
An inert training version was also developed, designated UR-8M.
The R-98 brought down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 on Sept. 1, 1983.
Specifications (R-98MT / R-98MR)
- Length: (R-98MT) 4 m (13 ft 1 in); (R-98MR) 4.27 m (14 ft)
- Wingspan: 1300 mm (4 ft 3 in)
- Diameter: 280 mm (11 in)
- Launch weight: (R-98MT) 272 kg (600 lb); (R-98MR) 292 kg (642 lb)
- Speed: Mach 2Mach numberMach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure...
- Range: 23 km (14.4 mi)
- Guidance: (R-98MT) infraredInfraredInfrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
homing; (R-98MR) semi-active radar homingSemi-active radar homingSemi-active radar homing, or SARH, is a common type of missile guidance system, perhaps the most common type for longer-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems. The name refers to the fact that the missile itself is only a passive detector of a radar signal – provided by an external ... - Warhead: 40 kg (88 lb) blast fragmentationFragmentation (weaponry)Fragmentation is the process by which the casing of an artillery shell, bomb, grenade, etc. is shattered by the detonating high explosive filling. The correct technical terminology for these casing pieces is fragments , although shards or splinters can be used for non-preformed fragments...