R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles in Special Operations
Still from an interview with a fighter pilot, November 2022. A Su-35S aircraft has a Rocket R-37M (part of the fairing and body are visible)
Russian fighter aviation has a wide range of air-to-air guided missiles, including products of different classes with different characteristics. The R-37M long-range missile occupies a special place in its arsenals. It has unique characteristics and is capable of solving the most complex combat missions. Such products are used during the current Special Operation and, together with other missiles, cause irreparable damage to the enemy air force.
Rockets and planes
From the first days of the Special Operation, Russian fighters have been involved in the process of destroying enemy aircraft. Back in the summer of 2022, the first reports of successful interceptions of enemy aircraft at ranges of at least 150-200 km appeared. Which weapon allowed to do this, it was not reported then. Details emerged only a few months later.
At the beginning of November 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense showed a report on the work of our fighters. In an interview with a pilot participating in the Special Operation, a Su-35S aircraft was captured on camera. Along with other weapons, the R-37M long-range air-to-air missile was suspended on it. This product has the highest flight characteristics and is the longest-range weapon of our Aerospace Forces for combating air targets.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense and domestic media and blogs repeatedly published new photographs and videos of Su-35S fighters and their long-range missiles. New information has also been received about the combat use of R-37M products and the successful destruction of targets over the entire range of ranges.
It has long been known that the Su-35S is not the only carrier of the R-37M missile in the Russian Aerospace Forces. Other aircraft also use similar weapons during Special Operations. Thus, at the end of November 2023, the Ministry of Defense showed the preparation and departure of MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors with long-range missiles. Aircraft of this type are also on duty in the air and are involved in the radical demilitarization of the “military forces.”
R-37M under the fuselage of a MiG-31BM interceptor, November 2023.
On May 22, 2024, the Ministry of Defense published a video of the combat work of the Black Sea aviation fleet. Along with other equipment, the combat mission shown included a Su-30SM2 fighter armed with two or three R-37M missiles. Previously, such aircraft with these weapons have not appeared in open materials.
It is curious that the appearance of R-37M missiles in the combat zone did not go unnoticed abroad. Since the beginning of last year, disturbing publications have repeatedly appeared in the foreign press about the Russian Aerospace Forces having a missile with a range of more than 300 km. The potential of such weapons was assessed, incl. in conjunction with different media. Of particular concern was the theoretical possibility of the R-37M being used by the latest Su-57 fighter.
Combat application
All details of the combat use of aviation missile weapons, incl. R-37M products are, for obvious reasons, unknown. However, the available information allows us to imagine how and with what results fighters use modern long-range weapons. In addition, enemy complaints about such missiles are known.
In March 2023 RIA News with reference to their sources, revealed some details of the first months of combat use of the R-37M. With the help of such missiles it was possible to shoot down planes and helicopters of all types in the enemy's arsenal. Several UAVs were also hit, including foreign equipment of highly advertised models. At the same time, good statistics are shown - the probability of hitting a target approaches one. In fact, only one missile is spent on one typical target.
Takeoff of the MiG-31BM interceptor with R-37M missiles
Russian fighter aviation patrols specified areas with the aim of interdicting enemy flights. Flights of Su-35S, MiG-31BM fighters, etc. can work independently and search for air targets using their standard equipment. Support from other systems and complexes is also possible. Fighters can receive target designation from ground-based radars or from AWACS aircraft. In both cases, the controlled area expands and it becomes possible to use the full potential of the R-37M missile.
According to open data, the R-37M product has a launch range of 300 km. This allows fighter carriers to engage air targets before they reach their weapons range and can threaten our assets. In addition, the MiG-31BM or Su-35S gain the ability to control enemy airspace to great depth, remaining above their territory and under the protection of their air defense systems. The missile's long range and corresponding flight duration also make it possible to carry out an additional attack in case of a miss.
The enemy now has to take into account the presence of long-range missiles in our Aerospace Forces and their presence in the combat zone. R-37M products have become an additional threat and significantly complicate the planning of aircraft combat operations. Any sortie that comes within 300 km or less of Russian fighters can now result in the loss of the aircraft and/or pilot. Given the shortage of material and flight personnel, this becomes a big problem.
To date, Russian armed forces have hit or destroyed more than 600 Ukrainian aircraft, approx. 270 helicopters and almost 25 thousand UAVs. Some of these victories were achieved by fighter aircraft and their missiles. For obvious reasons, how many enemy aircraft were destroyed using R-37M missiles is unknown. However, the available data shows that the rocket makes a significant contribution to the overall results.
Long range missile
History The R-37 missile dates back to the early eighties, when it was decided to develop a new long-range munition for the MiG-31 interceptor. The promising missile was supposed to surpass the existing R-33 in its main characteristics and subsequently replace it. The development was entrusted to the Vympel State Design Bureau (now part of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation). The project received the working designation K-37; subsequently the letter “K” was replaced by “P”.
Su-30MS2 naval aviation of the KChF with R-37M missiles, May 2024.
Testing of the R-37 began in 1988, but subsequent events in the country’s history prevented the product from being finalized and put into service. In the late nineties, taking into account new realities, the missile began to be modified, and subsequently a full modernization was carried out. The resulting product received the designations R-37M and RVV-BD (“Long-range air-to-air missile”). The R-37M modification was first shown in 2011, when the missile was already being tested.
According to known data, the R-37M was adopted by the Air Force in 2014; At the same time, the production and implementation of missiles in units began. The first carrier of the missile was the MiG-31BM interceptor. Also, over the past decade, work has been carried out to integrate this product into the ammunition load of other current fighter aircraft. The results of these processes can now be observed during the Special Operation.
The R-37M is built according to the traditional “air-to-air” design for domestic missiles. A cylindrical body with an ogive fairing is used, inside of which a homing head, a warhead and a solid propellant engine are sequentially placed. In the central part of the hull there are X-shaped wings, in the tail there are rudders of a similar design. The length of the product exceeds 4 m, the diameter of the body is 380 mm. Starting weight – 600 kg.
The solid propellant engine accelerates the rocket to a speed of about 6 Mach. After running out of fuel, the ammunition flies by inertia until it meets the target. The maximum launch range against a target in the forward hemisphere is determined to be 300 km. At the moment, the R-37M is the longest-range missile of its class in the world.
Model of the RVV-BD export missile at the MAKS-2015 exhibition
Products of the R-37 family have a combined control system. The main part of the flight occurs using inertial navigation with correction according to the commands of the carrier aircraft. Due to these means, the missile approaches the target several tens of kilometers, after which it turns on the active radar seeker. The latter detects the target and accompanies it until it is defeated.
The R-37M carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 60 kg with contact and non-contact target sensors. A direct hit from a missile with such a warhead is guaranteed to destroy any aircraft, and an explosion at a distance of several meters or tens of meters causes fatal damage from fragments.
Today and tomorrow
The Russian Aerospace Forces fighter aircraft are armed with various air-to-air missiles, incl. product R-37M. It has unique flight characteristics and is also compatible with modern fighters and interceptors of the main types. This missile helps our pilots win aerial victories, and also significantly changes the situation in the air and provides a noticeable advantage over opponents.
In the foreseeable future, R-37M missiles and other weapons of this class will continue to participate in the demilitarization of the Ukrainian Air Force. After its completion, such products will remain in service and, possibly, will undergo a new modernization with an additional increase in the main characteristics. Obviously, such weapons are of particular importance for the Aerospace Forces, and they will serve for as long as possible.
Information