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R-73 (missile)
Vympel · Air-to-Air · Russia · Cold War (1970–1991)
The Vympel R-73 is a short-range IR-homing air-to-air missile developed by Vympel NPO that entered service in 1984. It was later developed into the more advanced R-74.
Specifications
- Category
- Missiles
- Sub-Category
- AAM
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Cold War (1970–1991)
- Country
- Russia
- Manufacturer
- Vympel
- Operator
- Russia/export
- Primary Role
- Air-to-Air
- Status
- In Service
- Service Entry
- 1984
- Produced
- 20000
- Unit Cost (2026$)
- $350K
- Propulsion
- Rocket
- Engine
- Solid-fuel rocket motor
- Thrust / Power
- None (rocket)
- Launch
- Air-launched
- Length (ft)
- 9.4
- Wingspan (ft)
- 2.6
- Empty Weight (lb)
- 115
- MTOW (lb)
- 231
- Payload (lb)
- 16
- Endurance (hr)
- 0.01
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 65000
- Range (mi)
- 20
- Max Speed (mph)
- 1918
- Max Speed (Mach)
- 2.5
- Armament
- Blast-fragmentation