 |
| Su—35S |
The Ukrainian military said: Russia has begun using a new ultra-long—range air-to-air missile, the Product 180, or K-77M (R-77M). The evidence is a photo of the wreckage, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces published after one of these missiles apparently missed its target or was shot down.
 |
| Photo of the wreckage of "Product 180" |
What kind of "beast" is this? In fact, this is a major upgrade of the old R-77 ("product 170"), which the Russians have been using for a long time. But the new version is a completely different level. She has:
- The new dual—mode engine means it can fly at cruising speed for a long time and accelerate sharply on approach to the target.
- Improved active radar homing head — searches for and clings to the target itself, regardless of the fighter's radar.
- Redesigned tail unit — better maneuverability and stability over long distances.
The claimed range is up to 190 km, making it one of the longest—range missiles in the Russian arsenal. It was created specifically for the Russian fifth-generation Su—57, so that it could destroy targets before they noticed it, especially 4++ generation aircraft like the F-15EX, F-16V or Rafale.
But the most interesting thing is that in one of the photos, for the first time, the Su—35S VKS with the suspension of these missiles is clearly visible. That is, even without waiting for the full deployment of the Su-57, the Russians have already begun to put the K-77M on their best "fourth" fighters.
What does this mean for Ukraine?
Obviously, the threat from the air is becoming more serious. Now Russian pilots can attack from a greater distance without entering the range of the Ukrainian air defense. And this forces the Ukrainian Armed Forces to reconsider tactics, better mask their radars and, possibly, accelerate the acquisition of more modern fighters.
So the Product 180 is not just a new rocket. This is a new stage in the air war. And now every duel in the sky can begin long before visual contact.
No comments:
Post a Comment