NATO A-A missiles

[lasttopol]

Good night everyone!

I would like to ask, how many air-to-air missiles of various types (aim-120, aim-7, sidewinders) has NATO airforce? And how much each of them costs? I just heavly interested, how many ALARMs already exist, and the cost of them, if to compare with Aim-7M.

[lasttopol]

Sorry, of course, AMRAAM!

[SwingKid]

It's a good question.

 

This question was asked once, by a non-proliferation group. I don't have the link, but I remember that they commented how the US sold AMRAAMs to nations, using the argument that the opponent was equipped with RVV-AE. But in fact, only about 300 RVV-AE have been built and sold around the world, while the number of AMRAAMs was around (I think) 9000. The authors were using this argument to show that the sales of AMRAAM can't be justified for this reason, rather, it's only a political trick by the AMRAAM manfuacturer to obtain export licenses around the world.

 

-SK

[355th_Flip]

(NATO is not an Airforce, its an alliance between western and central european armed forces. Ground , Air and Sea together, not only Airforce)

 

Medium Range Air to Air Missiles in NATO use.

 

AIM-120 Type A (exported to other nations)

AIM-120 Type B (exported to other nations, for example German Airforce)

AIM-120 Type C (C-7 being the newest, US only, newest technology kept us eyes only. UNIT cost unknown)

 

AIM-7C/D/E versions

 

Skyflash operated by the Royal Airforce

 

 

Short Range Missiles

 

AIM-9L (exported, for example German Airforce)

AIM-9M (mainly US forces)

AIM-9P (Turkey i think has some of that type)

ASRAAM (RAF)

IRIS-T (German Airforce, Royal Norwegian Airforce, Royal Canadian Airforce

 

Hope this helps a little..

 

FLip

[lasttopol]

Thanks for answers!

300 Archers against 9000 AMRAAM - realy pessimistic situation :cry:

And how many Russian Air force has its own R-27 (radar and infrared), R-77, R-73 and R-60 - this question is also disturbing me. Have anyone this info? And how long the such (NATO and Russian) missiles can be kept operational? I heard most of Russian missiles have exhausted their guarantee period.

[Pilotasso]

According to a menber of the ED staff, the factory that produced the R-27's was located in Ukraine and the stockpile Russia has now is comprised mainly by 15 year old examples. I dunno if the russians ever made newer batches, but as I see it many of those wont hit anything but thin air due to old age and the design obselescense itself. The R-27 has a bad rep in combat. Of the few dozens fired theres only one uncorfirmed indirect hit (plane made it to base) wich led to the later scrapping of an eritrean Mig-29A.

 

On the other hand the R-73 (this one is Archer not the R-77 wich is Adder), has a far better combat record with several hits comfirmed, one made by a Su-22.

 

My apreciation of the R-77 is that it probably doesnt match the AMRAAM in seeker capability like most of the russian missiles, wich is probably one of the reasons why RuAF is not so keen to expend much money on it yet.

 

All this what I said about these missiles may explain the reason behind why Russian Su-27 were made to carry lots of radar missiles. it never made much sence to me that these planes carry up to 12 missiles, 10 of wich Radar Guided if they do not have multi engagement capability. It seems to me that the Flanker has this huge amount of missiles carried for the simple reason they are to be shot consecutively from max range as it gets closer and closer to target untill its destroyed. Then it makes sense.

 

In contrast the Mig-31 only Carries 4 R-33's, because I think it may be far more capable of guiding its missiles sucessfuly with a strong radar signal and a large missile head to see it.

[nscode]

Su-27 can fire at two targets at once.

[Pilotasso]

Actualy 4, but thats with AESA and there are very few, almost all of them are indian. SO yes thats a potent aircraft, but theres much to do with the remainder Migs and SU's.

 

Silmultaneous target capability is often mentioned but reality is, thats possible in a very limited way and no true multi engagement capability for the bulk of Mig-29's and Su-27's. Like shooting one ET at one target and then swich to an R-27 at the other, but then you are limited to the ET's seeker range.

 

I heard its also possible to have 2 ER's in the air at the same time for diferent targets, but since its a SARH missile this is surely only possible when the first missile is about to hit its target and the second one is flying by datalink, in the hopes of reaquiring its corresponding target after the first has reached its objective.

 

BTW I managed a triple kill on the MIg-29S a few nights ago ;)

[GGTharos]

To engage two targets in this manner, they would have to be flying pretty straight, and timing would be critical indeed. It -is- possible, from things I've heard, but this capability is apparently somewhat over-rated.

 

On a similar note, according to some USAF pilots, the R-77 is to be respected ... while Russian engineers seem to think it's worse than the AMRAAM, it is apparently a significant threat nonetheless.

[Pilotasso]

One thing I believe. The R-77 would have had left an impression in the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict. 10 of them on an indian Su-30MKI and I will say "yikes" then. ;)

[nscode]

I don't over-rate it, i know it's limited, but it's there. And timing is something thay rely on hevily anyway.. that big clock :D

[Pilotasso]

Well Somehow I think the indian Su-30 has something better than that.

[GGTharos]

Hehehe :D THE CLOCK! :D

[GGTharos]

Well Somehow I think the indian Su-30 has something better than that.

 

We're talking about the Su-27S ... the new 30's are an entirely different story, more closely comparable to original F-15C.