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Bisnovat R-4


NATO: AA-5 Ash


Overview

R-4T and R-4R air to air missiles

Tupolev Tu-128 interceptor on display fitted with both R-4R and R-4T air to air missiles.
Source: www.airwar.ru - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Long range air to air missile
Entered service
1963 for R-4R / R-4T
1973 for R-4MR / R-4MT
Status
Out of service
Development
1959 - 1963
Developer
Soviet Union - Bisnovat
Production
1963 - 1970's
Producer
Soviet Union
Designations
AA-5 Ash (NATO reportning name)
R-80, K-80 (early Soviet designations)
Notable users
Soviet Union

Description

Introduction

The R-4 is a long rang air to air missile of Soviet origin. It was developed in the early 1960's as the sole weapon to equip the huge Tu-128 Fiddler interceptor. In the West the R-4 is known as the "AA-5 Ash". The R-4 was later supplemented by the more capable R-40 which was used on the MiG-25 Foxbat interceptor.

Layout

The R-4 has a conventional Cold War era design with large wings. The seeker is mounted in the nose and is followed by the warhead. The rear half is made up rocket engine. The R-4 has four large wings in the middle and four tail wings that provide steering.

Guidance

In accordance with Soviet doctrine the R-4 missile was developed with two types of guidance. One version uses semi-active radar homing (SARH). The other uses infrared homing (IR). Both types require a lock on before launch. The SARH variant was the first Soviet missile with all aspect engagement capability and could even be launched from an altitude 8 km below the target. The maximum IR seeker range is 15 km, thus limiting the maximum engagement range. The IR variant can only be fired from the target's rear aspect.

Firepower

The SARH variant has a maximum range of 25 km and the IR variant may reach up to 15 km. Targets may maneuver up to 4 G, which is increased up to 5 G for the improved R-4M series. The 53 kg warhead will even ensure a kill against large aircraft.

Platforms

The R-4 series was only used on the Tu-128 in conjunction with the RP-S Smerch radar. The improved R-4M series was carried on the Tu-128M which uses the improved RP-SM Smerch-M radar. There are reports that the MiG-25 was also able to carry the missile. The Tu-128 could carry four missiles with the usual loadout being two SARH and two IR versions. In a typical engagement one missile of each type would be fired to maximize the odds of a hit.

Users

The R-4 was only adopted by the USSR. Since the Tu-128 was never exported the R-4 missiles haven't been exported either. After nearly 40 years of service the last R-4M missiles were retired along with the Tu-128 in 1990.

Variants

R-4T and R-4R air to air missiles

Forward view of R-4T (left) and R-4R (right) missiles.
Source: www.saidpvo.livejournal.ru - © copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the R-4 missile

R-4R
Initial production model with semi-active radar homing. It requires constant target illumination from the RP-S Smerch radar used on the Tu-128, but has an all aspect engagement capability.
R-4T
Initial production model with infrared homing. It requires a lock on before launch but is autonomous after launch. Maximum range is limited by seeker lock on range.
R-4MR
Improved model with semi-active radar homing introduced in the late 1970's. It has a reduced minimum engagement range and is fitted with an improved seeker that is used in conjunction with the RP-SM Smerch-M radar.
R-4MT
Improved model with infrared homing, also introduced in the late 1970's. The improved seeker no longer limits the engagement range.

Details

Facts R-4R R-4T R-4MR R-4MT
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Air to air missile
Dimensions
Length
5.45 m
Diameter
310 mm
Wingspan
1.3 m
Weight
493 kg
Guidance
Terminal phase
Semi-active radar homing
Warhead
Type
HE blast
Weight
54 kg
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Single-stage solid propellant rocket motor
Speed
Mach 1.6
Range
25 km maximum
2 km minimum
Altitude
21 km ceiling
8 km minimum

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