| R-77/RVV-AE AA-12 Adder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Medium rangeradar guidedair-to-air missile |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1994 (R-77) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Molnija OKB, Artem,Vympel |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 175 kg (R-77), 190 kg (R-77-1) |
| Length | 3.6 m (R-77), 3.71 m (R-77-1) |
| Diameter | 200 mm |
| Wingspan | 700 mm |
| Warhead | 22.5 kgHE fragmenting (R-77) |
Detonation mechanism | laser proximity fuse |
| Engine | Solid fuel rocket motor (R-77), air-breathing ramjet (R-77-PD) |
Operational range | |
| Flight altitude | 5–25 km (16,000–82,000 ft) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4,[5] Mach 5 for K-77PD (RVV-AE-PD)[6] |
Guidance system | Transis guiding phase:Inertial guidance with mid-courseSARH anddatalink update. Terminal homing phase:Active radar homing/infrared homing (R-77T)/passive radiation homing (R-77P). |
Launch platform | MiG-21UPG,MiG-29,MiG-31BM,Su-27,Sukhoi Su-30,Sukhoi Su-34,Sukhoi Su-35,Sukhoi Su-57,J-11,Sukhoi Su-47,Mikoyan Project 1.44 |
TheVympel NPOR-77missile (NATO reporting name:AA-12 Adder) is a Russianactive radar homingbeyond-visual-rangeair-to-air missile. It is also known by its export designationRVV-AE. It is the Russian counterpart to the AmericanAIM-120 AMRAAM missile.[7]
The R-77 was marked by a severely protracted development. Work began in the 1980s, but was not completed before theSoviet Union fell. For many years, only the RVV-AE model was produced for export customers.[8] Production was further disrupted when theRusso-Ukrainian War resulted in a Ukrainianarms embargo against Russia, severingsupply chains. TheRussian Aerospace Forces finally entered the R-77-1 (AA-12B) into service in 2015.[8][9] It was subsequently deployed bySu-35S fighters in Syria oncombat air patrols.[8] The export model of the R-77-1 is called RVV-SD.[4]
Work on the R-77 began in 1982 by „Molnija OKB“ inUkrainian SSR. After the dissolution of theSoviet Union the R-77 (Izdelie 170) missiles were produced inKyiv's "Artem" plant.[10] It represented Ukraine's and later also Russia's first multi-purpose missile for tactical and strategic aircraft forfire-and-forget use against aircraft ranging from hovering helicopters to high-speed, low-altitude aircraft. Gennadiy Sokolovski, general designer of theVympel Design Bureau, said that the R-77 missile can be used against medium and long range air-to-air missiles such as theAIM-120 AMRAAM andAIM-54 Phoenix, as well as SAMs such as thePatriot. The munition has a laser-triggeredproximity fuze and an expanding rod warhead that can destroy targets of various sizes. It can be used againstcruise missiles andprecision-guided munitions (PGMs). First seen in 1992 at the Moscow Airshow (MAKS) 1992, the R-77 was immediately nicknamed Amraamski by Western journalists. The basic R-77 is known as theizdeliye 170, while the export variant is known as theizdeliye 190 or RVV-AE. The R-77 and RVV-AE have a range of 80 km (50 mi).[1][11][2] Vympel did not have adequate funding during the 1990s and the first part of the following decade to support further evolution of the R-77, either for the Russian Air Force or the export market. The basic version of the R-77 is not thought to have entered the Russian Aerospace Forces inventory in significant numbers.[3]
The R-77 can be used by upgraded Su-27, MiG-29 andMiG-31 variants in Russian Aerospace Forces service. Some variants of the Su-27 in China'sPeople's Liberation Army Air Force, including the domestically producedJ-11 variants, can also employ the missile. The newer Su-30MKK has aN001 (Su-27 radar) with a digital bypass channel incorporating a mode allowing it to use R-77s. The export RVV-AE has been sold widely, with China and India placing significant orders for the munition, as was the case for theR-73. The baseline R-77 was designed in the 1980s, with development complete by around 1994. India was the first export customer for the export variant, known as the RVV-AE, with the final batch delivered in 2002.[12][13]
There are other variants under development. One has an upgraded motor to extend a range at high altitudes to as much as 120–160 km; it is known as the RVV-AE-PD (PovyshenoyDalnosti—improved range). This variant has been test-fired and uses a solid-fuelramjet engine. Its range puts it in the long-range class and is equivalent in range to theAIM-54 Phoenix. In another version of the R-77, a terminalinfrared homing seeker is offered. This is in line with the Russian practice of attacking targets by firing pairs of missiles with different homing systems. This complicates end-game defensive actions for the target aircraft, as it needs to successfully defeat two homing systems. If a radar-guided medium-range missile is fired at an enemy jet aircraft outside the non-escape attack zone, the target aircraft may be able to escape through emergency maneuver. But at this moment, in fact, the infrared guidance has an advantage: once the jet aircraft turns to escape, the engine nozzle is exposed, and the infrared characteristics are exposed. This method of attack may not always be available as IR seekers typically have less range and less resistance to poor weather than radar seekers, which may limit the successful use of mixed seeker attacks unless the IR missile is initially directed by radar or some other means.[14][15]
Another improvement program was designated the R-77M, which made the missile longer and heavier, making use of a two-stage motor as well as an improved seeker.[16] A further product-improvement of the R-77, designated the R-77M1 and then the R-77-PD, was to feature aramjet propulsion device. This missile was destined for theMiG 1.44 that for the MFI program. The munition has a laser fuse and an expanding rod warhead that can destroy the variable sized targets. However, due to funding shortage and eventual cancellation of the MiG 1.44, development of this model may have stopped by 1999; no information or announcement regarding the R-77M and R-77-PD has appeared since.[citation needed]
Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, also known as TRV (Takticheskoe Raketnoe Vooruzhenie – Тактическое Ракетное Вооружение), unveiled the RVV-SD and RVV-MD missiles for the first time at the Moscow Air Show (MAKS) in August 2009. The RVV-SD is an improved version of the R-77, while the RVV-MD is a variant of the R-73. The RVV-SD includes the upgrades associated with theizdeliye 170-1, or R-77-1.[1] The RVV-SD, along with the RVV-MD, seem to be part of Russia's bid for India'smedium multirole combat aircraft competition. Both designations were included by MiG on a presentation covering MiG-35 Fulcrum armament during Aero India Air Show in February. The initial RVV-SD offering is likely no more than a stopgap to try to maintain its position, and to provide a credible radar-guided weapon to offer as part of fighter export packages and upgrade programs.[3]
According to specifications, the R-77-1 and its export variant RVV-SD is 15 kg (33 lb) heavier than the basic R-77 / RVV-AE, weighing 190 kg (420 lb) rather than 175 kg (386 lb). Maximum range is increased to 110 km (68 mi) from 80 km (50 mi).[4] The missile is also slightly longer at 3.71 m (12.2 ft), rather than the 3.6 m (11.8 ft) of the basic variant. Additional improvements include upgrades to the missile's radar seeker and boat tail rear section to reduce drag. Russian missile manufacturer Agat previously confirmed it was working on seeker upgrades for the R-77, implying that at least two projects were underway, one for export and one for the Russian Air Force.[3][1]
Vympel, a which had merged to be part of TRV, has been developing a more extensive upgrade of the missile than the R-77-1. Designated theizdeliye 180 or K-77M and eventually R-77M when operational, this missile is a mid-life upgrade for the missile and is intended to be the main medium-range missile for theSukhoi Su-57. This upgrade aims to provide a further improvement in range, with the design including a dual-pulse motor configuration. Theizdeliye 180 uses anactive electronically scanned array seeker and conventional rear fins instead of the R-77's lattice fins. This missile is intended to match the performance of the latest AIM-120 variants.[3][1] Though it uses the same designation as the earlier R-77M improvement program, it is not known if these two missiles are the same or are related.
On October 4, 2020 footage of Su-57 fighter flying with R-77M missile was revealed in a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 929th Chkalov State Flight-Test Center[17][18]
For the first forty years, the aerodynamics combinedvestigialcruciform wings withgrid fins used as tailcontrol surfaces (similar devices are used on theOTR-23 Oka, and USAF uses them onMOAB). The flow separation which occurs at high angles of attack enhances its turning ability, giving the missile a maximum turn rate of up to 150° per second. However, the grid fins also increase drag and radar cross section. Updated variants of the R-77, such as theizdeliye 180 that is destined for the Sukhoi Su-57, will use conventional fins instead.[1]
The missile uses a multi-functiondoppler-monopulse active radar seeker developed by OAO Agat.[19] The radar features two modes of operation, over short distances, the missile will launch in an active "fire-and-forget" mode. Over longer distances the missile is controlled by aninertial guidance auto pilot with occasional encodeddata link updates from the launch aircraft's radar on changes in spatial position or G of the target. As the missile comes within 20 km (12 mi) of its target, the missile switches to its active radar mode. The host radar system maintains computed target information in case the target breaks the missile's lock-on.[citation needed]
At the beginning of February 2016, four Su-35S were deployed to Syria.[20][21]
Since the2022 Invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been using R-77-1s in Su-35s, Su-30SMs to shoot down Ukrainian jets, which outranged all Ukrainian missiles. In July 2025,The War Zone reported that R-77M appeared to have made it operational debut in Ukraine following the wreckage of the missile and pictures taken onSu-35S showing the pylons equipped with R-77M,R-74M and 2 SAP-518M wingtip pods that form part of theKhibiny-M ECM system.[22]
Algeria[26] – for the MIG-29M/M2 and Su-30MKA[citation needed]
Egypt – 300 for the MIG-29M/M2[27]
Eritrea[28]
People's Republic of China – for the Su-35, Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2[citation needed]
India – formerly on theMiG-21 Bison,[29]MiG-29UPG[30] andSu-30MKI.[31] Received 500 missiles in 2014-15, ordered 400 more in 2019,[32][33] and more batches of RVV-SD (export R-77-1s) in May 2025.[34][35]
Indian Naval Air Arm[8] on MiG-29K/KUB.
Indonesia – for the Su-30MK2 and Su-27SKM[36][37]
Kazakhstan – for the Su-30SM[8]
Malaysia – 150 missiles delivered as of 2008[28]
Russia – basic variant never officially introduced in series, Su-30SMs and Su-35S' were spotted with R-77-1s when they were deployed to Syria.[8] Two contracts have reportedly been signed in 2015 for 13 billion rubles and in 2020 concerning modernized and import-substituted missiles for 65 billion rubles.[38]
Serbia – Serbia ordered 32 R-77-1 missiles for its modernized MiG-29s[39][40]
Sudan – for the MiG-29SE[41]
Syria – for the MiG-29SM[42]
Uganda[8]
Venezuela – 100 missiles ordered for Su-30MK2s[8]
Vietnam – for the Su-30MK2[43]
Yemen – 100 missiles delivered by 2006[28]
