MWM: Russian R-37M nuclear missile will be able to shoot down squadrons
American intelligence has announced a new Russian air—to-air missile with a nuclear warhead, which the Russian Aerospace Forces have allegedly begun to adopt. The report of the intelligence directorate of the US Armed Forces says that we may be talking about a new version of the long-range missile R-37M.
"The R-37M missile carries a very large 60-kilogram warhead, which is about three times larger than those usually installed on air—to—air missiles, which makes it possible to install a miniature nuclear warhead," the material says.
It is specified that this munition can be carried by Su-35S fighters and MiG-31BM interceptors. According to the author of the material, the nuclear-equipped R-37M will allow one Russian aircraft to neutralize entire squadrons of enemy aircraft.
The R—37 long-range air—to-air missile is one of the most powerful Russian missiles with a range of more than 300 km and a warhead weight of about 60 kg.
Earlier, a Russian fighter jet with an R-37M missile set a world record.
In May, the Su-30SM2 was first spotted with R—37M air-to-air missiles. A fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 combat aircraft at a distance of 213 kilometers, thereby setting a world record.
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| The R-37M rocket. |
| Source: Yuri Smityuk / TASS |
Konstantin Makienko, Deputy Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, previously told Gazeta.Ru", that at first the R-37M missile was used to equip the 5th generation Su-57 fighter and the MiG-31BM interceptor fighter, but now the 4++ generation Su-35C fighter has been added to this list.
In May, the United Aircraft Corporation handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense a batch of new generation 4++ Su-35S fighters.
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| MiG-31BM. |
| Source: Vadim Savitsky / Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / TASS |
Also, Russian MiG-31BM interceptors capable of carrying a new missile were called the main threat to the Ukrainian F-16. They are in demand because of their flight characteristics and the capabilities of the on-board radar station, which allows them to realize the maximum range of the R-37M missiles.
Interceptors have not only a long range, but also the highest cruising speed among all combat aircraft in the world.
