Novator KS-172 AAM-L
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The Novator KS-172 AAM-L (also known as R-172) is an extremely long-range air-to-air missile developed in Russia. It was designed to arm the CIS Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi Su-35 'Flanker' aircraft.
The KS-172 was first shown as a mock-up at an air show in Abu Dhabi in 1993, but the poor financial situation of the post-Soviet CIS meant that it was not funded, although flight testing was reportedly done. Revival of development has been broached at several points, in 1997 as a purely Russian project, and more recently with discussions taking place in 2004 with India to launch an Indo-Russian co-venture to produce the missile, which would then arm Indian Su-30MKI aircraft.
The KS-172 may have been based on the airframe of the 9K37M1 Buk-M (NATO reporting name SA-11 'Gadfly') surface-to-air missile. It used a two-stage rocket engine with a flight speed of about Mach 4 and a claimed maximum range of 400 km (250 mi). The AAM-L flies to the vicinity of the target by inertial navigation, then activates its own active radar for terminal homing.
The AAM-L missile is intended for use against Airborne Early Warning, tanker, and maritime patrol aircraft, giving an air force the ability to attack these vital assets without having to engage their fighter escorts. Enhanced-range versions have also been suggested as possible anti-satellite weapons.
The weapon is planned for carriage by Su-27/Su-30, Su-35, and Mikoyan MiG-31 aircraft.
[edit] Specifications (estimated)
- Length: 7,400 mm (24 ft 3.5 in)
- Wingspan: 750 mm (2 ft 5.5 in)
- Diameter: 510 mm (20 in)
- Launch weight: 750 kg (1,650 lb)
- Speed: Mach 4
- Range: 400 km (250 mi)
- Guidance: inertial navigation with active radar for terminal homing
- Warhead: 50 kg (110 lb)
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