| R-4 AA-5 Ash | |
|---|---|
R-4 missile under wing ofTupolev Tu-128 | |
| Type | Heavy air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1963-1990 |
| Used by | Soviet Air Forces |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Bisnovat |
| Specifications (R-4R) | |
| Mass | 492.5 kg (1,086 lb) |
| Length | 5.44 m (17 ft 10 in) |
| Diameter | 310 mm (12 in) |
| Warhead | High explosive |
| Warhead weight | 53 kg (117 lb) |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 2 to 25kilometres (1.2 to 15.5 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.6 |
Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing (R-4R) Infrared homing (R-4T) |
Launch platform | Tu-128 |
TheBisnovat (laterMolniya)R-4 (NATO reporting nameAA-5 'Ash') was an earlySoviet long-rangeair-to-air missile. It was used primarily as the sole weapon of theTupolev Tu-128 interceptor, matching its RP-SSmerch ('Tornado')radar.
Development of the R-4 began in 1959, initially designated asK-80 orR-80, entering operational service around 1963, together with Tu-128.[1] Like many Soviet weapons, it was made in bothsemi-active radar homing (R-4R) andinfrared-homing (R-4T) versions.[2] Standard Soviet doctrine was to fire the weapons in SARH/IR pairs to increase the odds of a hit.[3] Target altitude was from 8 to 21 km. Importantly for the slow-climbing Tu-128, the missile could be fired even from 8 km below the target.
In1973 the weapon was modernized toR-4MR (SARH) /MT (IR) standard, with lower minimal target altitude (0.5–1 km),[4] improved seeker performance, and compatibility with the upgraded RP-SMSmerch-M radar.
The R-4 survived in limited service until 1990, retiring along with the last Tu-128 aircraft.[1]