R-73 missile (AA-11) stocks by 1990

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Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 545

Does anybody know if stocks of R-73 ( AA-11 archer) were enough to equip the VVS/PVO fighters by the end of the cold war in 1990
any news on this is great

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Member for

17 years 11 months

Posts: 1,010

which fighter types exactly? in 1990 the r-73 could be carried by su-27, mig-29 and 500-1000 of modernized mig-23mld. So total of roughly 2000 fighters was capable of carrying it, with usual loadout configuration of 2 per mig23, 4 per mig29 and 2/4 per flanker. Roughly some 7000 missiles would have been needed if half the mentioned fleet had the operational chance to use two full loads.

I've no numbers on r-73 production but if it was anything close to US production of sidewinder, it should've been at least 1500 per year, once full serial production was commenced.

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 545

which fighter types exactly? in 1990 the r-73 could be carried by su-27, mig-29 and 500-1000 of modernized mig-23mld. So total of roughly 2000 fighters was capable of carrying it, with usual loadout configuration of 2 per mig23, 4 per mig29 and 2/4 per flanker. Roughly some 7000 missiles would have been needed if half the mentioned fleet had the operational chance to use two full loads.

I've no numbers on r-73 production but if it was anything close to US production of sidewinder, it should've been at least 1500 per year, once full serial production was commenced.


I was thinking mostly Mig-23, when was the R-73 accepted for full scale production?

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 545

so seems like R-73 entered production by 1984, even if 1000 were made per yr is it safe to assume USSR had 5000 R-73 by 1990 ?

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 5,396

Possibly 5000. But that doesn't mean all were serviceable. There are two factors which limit the life of air-to-air missiles:

First is component failures caused by the severe environment due to captive carry on an external pylon. Acoustics of 130-160 dB literally shakes the seeker and guidance electronics to pieces.

Second is the embrittlement or reversion of long string polymers which caused the propellant to crack or slump, even in the best of storage conditions.

This is why missiles are only carried for a few sorties before being sent to depot for inspection and rebuild. A substantial percentage of missile inventory is constantly being cycled through depot for repair.

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 545

great points thanks
I suggested 5000 as by 1990 that would be enough to give atleast 2 x R-73 to every mig-29/su-27 in PVO/VVS and have some for reserve

How long does it take to manufacture an AAM like R-73 ? since they are likely to have high expenditure when a conflict starts