The Bisnovat (later Molniya) R-4 (NATO reporting name AA-5 'Ash') was an early Soviet long-range air-to-air missile, initially designated K-80 or R-80.

[edit] History

Development of the R-4 began in 1959, entering operational service in 1963. It was used primarily on the Tupolev Tu-128 interceptor, matched to the Tu-128's RP-S Smerch ('Tornado') radar, although some reports suggested the MiG-25 sometimes carried it as well.

Like many Soviet weapons, it was made in both semi-active radar homing (R-4R) and infrared-homing (R-4T) versions. Standard Soviet doctrine was to fire the weapons in SARH/IR pairs to increase the odds of a hit. Target altitude was from 8 to 21 km, the missile could be fired from an aircraft flying 8 km below target.

In 1973 the weapon was modernized to R-4MR (SARH) / MT (IR) standard, with lower minimal target altitude (0.5-1 km), improved seeker performance and compatibility with the upgraded RP-SM Smerch radar.

R-4T (inner pair) and R-4R (outer pair) missiles under wings of Tupolev Tu-128 prototype

The R-4 survived in limited service through at least the late 1980s, retiring along with the last Tu-128 aircraft after the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

[edit] Operators

 Soviet Union

• Soviet Anti-Air Defence

[edit] Specifications (R-4T / R-4R)

• Length: (R-4T) 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in); (R-4R) 5.45 m ( ft in)
• Wingspan: 1300 mm (4 ft 3 in)
• Diameter: 310 mm (12.2 in)
• Launch weight: (R-4T) 480 kg ( lb); (R-4R) 492.5 kg ( lb)
• Speed: Mach 1.6
• Range: (R-4T) 2-15 km (9.35 mi); (R-4R) 2-25 km
• Guidance: (R-4T) infrared homing; (R-4R) semi-active radar homing
• Warhead: 53 kg ( lb) high explosive

[edit] External links

• К-80, Р-4 - description in Russian, with pictures.