The Su-57 received the new RVV-SDM missile.
First, a photo of a pair of missiles in the cargo hold of a Su-57, then a press release promising "improved performance." Thus, in late July 2026, the new RVV-SDM medium-range air-to-air missile was unveiled to the public. The munition is designed for the latest generation of fighters, and, simultaneously with its premiere, it was already being launched on the international market.
For different customers
On July 29, 2026, Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec state corporation) issued a press release. It publicly disclosed the new RVV-SDM missile for the first time, outlined some of its characteristics and capabilities, and announced the start of its international marketing.
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) reportedly developed the system. The start and completion dates for the design work have not been specified.
The missile was officially presented as a new weapon for the Su-57E fighter and other Russian aircraft, following appropriate modifications. However, judging by public reports, this is purely a launch of a global marketing campaign: details of its serial deployment in Russian Aerospace Forces units and combat use are not being disclosed.
The product is currently ready for international market launch. Rosoboronexport has announced the launch of a marketing campaign in anticipation of export orders. Apparently, international sales involve a separate export version of the missile.
The RVV-SDM will be offered primarily as weapon for the export Su-57E. It could also be used on older Russian-made aircraft, again after some modifications. Integration with foreign carriers is also possible.
Much of this depends on the Su-57E itself. As of 2026, several export contracts for this fighter have been announced, with Algeria named among the key customers. At the same time, it has been noted that actual serial production volumes and delivery rates remain limited, which is also holding back the new missile's entry into the international market. Therefore, the first contracts for the RVV-SDM are unlikely to be signed tomorrow, and their scale and timing directly depend on how the agreements already signed for the aircraft are implemented.
Medium-range missile
The RVV-SDM is the next step in the development of the R-77/K-77 family. The basic model was developed back in the 1980s and accepted into service in 1994. In the mid-1910s, the Russian frontline aviation received a modernized R-77-1 (export designation - RVV-SD) with improved characteristics.
RVV-SD guided missile (in the foreground)
At the same time, new R-77 modernization projects—the "180" and "180BD"—surfaced in the open press. They are considered possible predecessors of the RVV-SDM, but their identification has not been officially confirmed.
Rosoboronexport showed a photograph of a Su-57 with a pair of RVV-SDM missiles in its internal cargo hold and revealed several specifications. This is enough to provide a fairly detailed picture of the munition.
So, the RVV-SDM is a medium-range air-to-air guided missile. It is designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, drones and other air targets - at any time of day, in any weather and in interference conditions.
The layout is standard for such a weapon: a cylindrical body and an ogive (pointed-arrow) radio-transparent nose cone. In the center is a low-aspect-ratio X-shaped wing with folding outer panels, and in the tail are rudders that fold out in flight. Based on available images, it can be cautiously assumed that, unlike the early R-77s with lattice rudders, this one uses a traditional flat rudder design. There is no official description yet of the RVV-SDM rudder type.
The missile fits in the Su-57's cargo bay, but its exact dimensions are unknown. It's logical to assume that its size and weight are essentially the same as its predecessors in the family. For reference, here are the parameters of the export version of the R-77, known as the RVV-AE:
- length - 3,6 m;
- case diameter - 200 mm;
- wingspan - 400 mm;
- starting weight - 175 kg;
- warhead weight - 22 kg.
The guidance system is a composite system consisting of several components. The missile navigates to the target area using inertial navigation, and additionally receives radio correction via a communications link.
A dual-mode seeker performs target acquisition and final guidance. In active mode, the seeker operates as a radar, searching for radio-contrast targets. In passive mode, it is guided by emitted radio signals. According to the developer, both modes achieve high reliability and accuracy, implement the "fire-and-forget" principle, and ensure immunity to jamming.
The solid-fuel engine has improved energy characteristics. An increase in launch range compared to the base RVV-SD is claimed, but no specific figure was provided. For comparison, according to open sources, the RVV-SD has a launch range of approximately 110 km.
Su-57 in export version
According to publicly available data, the RVV-SD family of missiles can engage air targets at altitudes of approximately 20–25 km at target speeds of up to Mach 3. Official sources provide the same approximate parameters for the RVV-SDM, without disclosing detailed performance characteristics. The available overload and a number of other important parameters are also left undisclosed.
Tactical advantages
The primary carrier of the RVV-SDM is the fifth-generation Su-57E fighter, and in the future, the Russian Aerospace Forces' Su-57. Both the missile and the aircraft have their own strengths, and in the most common air combat scenarios, their combined performance offers more than the sum of their advantages.
First and foremost, the new missile increases the system's combat radius when engaging air targets. The developer claims an increase in range compared to the RVV-SD, but does not confirm a figure. In some situations, this increase allows for attacking the enemy before they can use their weapons. And the autonomous seeker allows the carrier fighter to immediately escape a potentially dangerous area.
The RVV-SDM is a medium-range air-to-air missile, and it's appropriate to compare it to foreign models. The American AIM-120D for the F-15/F-16/F-35 has a stated maximum range of approximately 160-180 km and has already seen action in real-world conflicts. The European Meteor, powered by a ramjet engine, has a range of approximately 150-200 km, according to open sources, and a large kill zone due to its high cruising speed. The Chinese PL-15 is estimated to have a range of up to 250-300 km and is designed for use on AWACS aircraft and tankers. Against this background, the RVV-SDM occupies the niche of a "classic" medium-range missile, coexisting in the Russian arsenal with long-range missiles such as the RVV-BD.
The missile's passive seeker mode deserves a separate discussion. In this mode, the missile focuses on the target's own emissions—onboard radars, communications links, and data channels—and does not activate its own radar. For an adversary deploying noise jamming and electronic countermeasures, this is an unpleasant surprise: a passive missile doesn't reveal itself with additional emissions, making it more difficult to detect and take countermeasures in a timely manner. Combined with the Su-57's stealth and internal weapon placement, the passive mode increases the chances of a stealthy attack, leaving the target little time to react.
It's worth remembering that the Su-57's ammunition loadout, including export variants, isn't limited to medium-range missiles. The fighter also uses short-range RVV-MD2 and long-range RVV-BD missiles against air targets. Compatibility with munitions from previous models is also maintained.
In the air-to-surface segment, customers—both domestic and international—are offered a wide range of options. These include the Kh-38 and Kh-69 multirole missiles and the Kh-35UE anti-ship missile. The system can also carry guided bombs weighing up to 1500 kg.
New opportunities
As a result, Russian industry has expanded the range of ammunition for the latest domestic fighter. Moreover, the missile belongs to one of the most sought-after classes: its medium-range capability covers the main range of air combat and significantly impacts the carrier's potential.
There are, however, some caveats. Open sources do not yet contain independent documented confirmation of the RVV-SDM's large-scale combat use or its effectiveness in actual combat. All that is available are official statements from the developer and exporter.
Finally, the missile's potential is determined by more than just its stated figures. The Russian defense industry has been operating under sanctions in recent years, which has complicated access to modern components and can delay the development and production of complex electronics. Add to this the already-mentioned limited production and export rates of the Su-57 itself, which limits the potential launch vehicle fleet. All of this will need to be taken into account when assessing the actual speed with which the Russian Aerospace Forces and foreign customers will receive new medium-range air-to-air missiles.
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