See old threads for history section, this thread will focus more on how the missile is implemented in-game instead of the real life performances.
Old thread link
Archived link
The Vympel R-27 was the first missile designed with modularity in mind for the Soviet Union. It’s performance through history was subpar, but when it did work it outshined any other air-launched SARH missile in history.
Description
The missile stands apart from other SARH missiles by incorporating inertial guidance and datalink. This allows the missile to be fired at targets beyond the range at which the on-board receiver can pick up the radar returns. This also allows for the aircraft to drop lock, and then later re-lock an enemy aircraft to continue guidance.
The R-27 series is quite modular, allowing for thermal and radar homing heads as well as a choice between two motors. The first is the standard motor, which has poor acceleration and average range in comparison to other SARH missiles at the battle rating. (AIM-7F and Super 530D outperform it). However, the extended range booster found on the R-27ER and R-27ET is quite a performance enhancer. The booster has some of the highest acceleration for a missile in the game and also some of the most kinematic range of any missiles in the game aside from the Phoenix. The time to target is incredibly fast, and makes this SARH lethal enough to be used against early active radar homing types.
Technical specs
R-27R
Spoiler
Dimensions
Length: 4m
Diameter: 0.23m
Mass: 253kg
Empty Mass: 183kg
Guidance / Receiver
Receiver: 9B-1101K
Gimbal: 55 degrees
Range: 25km
Guidance time: 60s
Features: Inertial guidance, datalink with mid-course radio correction
Warhead
Explosive mass: 24kg
Proximity fuse: Yes, 10m
Propulsion
Booster type: R-300 (Single stage)
Burn time: 6s
Propellent: 70kg
Thrust: (booster only)
26,000N (5,845 lbf)
Maneuvering G limit: 30G
Structural limit: ?
Launch G limit: ?
Engagement ranges:
Maximum launch ranges
50-60km (55km in-game) frontal aspect (TRK PD HDN recommended) . . . 16-18km rear aspect (TRK PD)
Minimum launch ranges
1.2km frontal aspect . . . 0.5km rear aspect (TRK PD only)
R-27ER
Spoiler
Dimensions
Length: 4.7m
Diameter: 0.26m
Mass: 350kg
Empty Mass: 208kg
Guidance / Receiver
Receiver: 9B-1101K
Gimbal: 55 degrees
Range: 25km
Guidance time: 60s
Features: Inertial guidance, datalink with mid-course radio correction
Warhead
Explosive mass: 24kg
Proximity fuse: Yes, 10m
Propulsion
Booster type: R-300E (two stage, boost + sustainer)
Burn time: 2s
Propellent: 64kg booster, 78kg sustainer
Thrust: (booster)
Booster: 73,600N (16,546lbf) for 2 seconds
Sustainer: 25,575N (5,749lbf) for 7 seconds
Maneuvering G limit: 30G
Structural limit: ?
Launch G limit: ?
Engagement ranges:
Maximum launch ranges
(100km in-game stats)
Minimum launch ranges
(30m in-game stats)
R-27T
Spoiler
Dimensions
Length: 4m
Diameter: 0.23m
Mass: 245kg
Empty Mass: 177.5kg
Guidance / Receiver
Receiver: TGS " Geofizika 36T"
Gimbal: +/- 45 degrees
Track Rate: 30 deg/s
Range: 16-18km detection
Guidance time: 60s
Features: None, typical all aspect IR AAM.
Warhead
Explosive mass: 24kg
Proximity fuse: Yes, 10m
Propulsion
Booster type: R-300 (Single stage)
Burn time: 6s
Propellent: 67.5kg
Thrust: (booster only)
26,000N (5,845 lbf)
Maneuvering G limit: 30G
Structural limit: ?
Launch G limit: ?
Engagement ranges:
Maximum launch ranges
(50km in-game stats)
Minimum launch ranges
(20m in-game stats)
R-27ET
Spoiler
Dimensions
Length: 4m
Diameter: 0.23m
Mass: 343kg
Empty Mass: 201kg
Guidance / Receiver
Receiver: TGS “A3-10” or (“MK-80M”) -note, early models used the same seeker as R-27T.
Gimbal: +/- 50 degrees
Track Rate: 60 deg/s
Range: Up to 30km frontal, 100km rear aspect (8km frontal against non-afterburning and slow target for MK-80M)
Guidance time: 60s
Features: Two phase pulse modulation, two-spectral multi element photodetector , reprogrammable noise immunity algorithms. (IRCCM)
Warhead
Explosive mass: 24kg
Proximity fuse: Yes, 10m
Propulsion
Booster type: R-300E (two stage, boost + sustainer)
Burn time: 2s
Propellent: 64kg booster, 78kg sustainer
Thrust: (booster)
Booster: 73,600N (16,546lbf) for 2 seconds
Sustainer: 25,575N (5,749lbf) for 7 seconds
Maneuvering G limit: 30G
Structural limit: ?
Launch G limit: ?
Engagement ranges:
Maximum launch ranges
(67.5km in-game stats)
Minimum launch ranges
(20m in-game stats)
Sources:
Manuals
Spoiler
[1] MiG-29 weapons employment manual
[2] “According to the range and duration of the MiG-29 aircraft with RD-33 engines” manual
[3] Yugoslavian MiG-29 manual (1990)
Online links
Spoiler
[11] http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/aerospace-systems/air-to-air-missile/r-27r1/
[12] http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/aerospace-systems/air-to-air-missile/r-27t1/
[13] The Russian Philosophy of Beyond Visual Range Air Combat
[14] ГосМКБ «Вымпел» » Управляемые авиационные ракеты «воздух-воздух»
[15] Ruská raketa typu vzduch-vzduch R-27 (AA-10 Alamo)
[16] Уголок неба ¦ Р-27
[17] MilitaryRussia.Ru — отечественная военная техника (после 1945г.) | Статьи
[18] cmano-db.com
[19] Ukrainian Defense Review #2 [April-June 2013] by Defense Express - Issuu
[20] https://docs.tuyap.online/FDOCS/23347.pdf
[21] https://kbmia.com/production-en/airforce-en/inertial-semi-active-seeker-9b-1101k/
[22] SE SFTF "Ukroboronexport"
[23] https://kbmia.com/production-en/airforce-en/guided-missiles-r-27-air-to-air/
[25] https://www.loneflyer.com/2015/11/11/vympel-r-27-aa-10-alamo/
[26] July 26 2004 | Aviation Week (page 36)
[27] http://www.ausairpower.net/PDF-A/0915-ADM-Rebuttal.pdf (page 8)
[28] https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/APDR_Sept_2022_Whole-Mag_Interactive.pdf (page 23)
[29] https://docs.rferl.org/az-AZ-Latn/2015/02/11/3cda1357-0655-41b4-827d-0a34fb5262d4.pdf (page 162)
[30] http://www.defence.org.cn/aspnet/vip-usa/uploadFiles/2007-11/20071113075531____1lu46D.pdf
[31] https://www.armscom.net/products/r_27_medium_range_air_to_air_missile_family
[32] Houthis unveil Russian air-to-air missiles as SAMs
[33] https://www.deagel.com/Defensive Weapons/R-27/a001034
[34] Aircraft missile R-27 (K-27) | Missilery.info
[35] Ukrainian Defense Review #1 [January-March 2017] by Defense Express - Issuu
[36] R-27 - "AIR-TO-AIR" GUIDED MISSILE
[37] The R-27 is a Soviet medium-range air-to-air.. | ВКС РОССИИ | VK
[38] https://chtyvo.org.ua/authors/Ukrainian_Defense_Review/2013_N2.pdf
[39] R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) :: Ruslet
[40] http://www.ausairpower.net/SP/DT-Missile-Survey-May-05.pdf (page 66)
[41] Arms & Security 2021 Expo: Radionix Introduces its New Active Radar Seeker for Use with SAM Missile Coral | Defense Express
[42] https://www.researcher-app.com/paper/10026464
[43] https://www.machtres.com/lang1/kab1.html
[44] https://www.vayuaerospace.in/article/763/index.aspx
[45] Air-to-Air Missiles - What’s New Around
[46] A Guide To China’s Increasingly Impressive Air-To-Air Missile Inventory
[47] https://www.keymilitary.com/article/fulcrum-part-one-story-russian-classic
[48] https://www.armadainternational.com/2017/11/of-sparrows-and-sidewinders-aam/
[49] https://static.rusi.org/russian_and_chinese_combat_air_trends_whr_final_web_version.pdf
[50] American Innovation: Threat Analysis: Su-35S Part II - Armament R-27 & R-73
[51] https://www.foi.se/rest-api/report/FOI-R--4991--SE
[52] Here’s how Houthis were able to deploy R-27/R-60/R-73/R-77 Air-to-Air Missiles as SAMs against Saudi-led Coalition Aircraft - The Aviation Geek Club
[53] Security
[54] https://books.google.com/books?id=ff-zDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT396&lpg=PT396&dq=R-27R+“datalink”&source=bl&ots=5CDTVCf7Wu&sig=ACfU3U3MKgiuRnGhSvAzFscl8MIttp31GQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA-Pi6icb8AhVCIUQIHZBeBa0Q6AF6BQjDAhAD
[55] http://www.defence.org.cn/aspnet/vip-usa/uploadFiles/2007-11/20071113075531____1lu46D.pdf
[56] https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/69/d1/79/4740f42ef147c3/RU2259536C1.pdf
Bibliography
Spoiler
[24] Soviet air to air missiles, Viktor Markovsky & Konstantin Perov
Pic of cover
https://youtu.be/V3TlOEeb6Bw
https://youtu.be/UFV8bwNhHD0
