Image source: topwar.ru
Today, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the discovery of unmanned enemy boats in one of the sea areas near the coast of Crimea. Multifunctional Su-30SM fighters of the naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy were lifted into the air, which destroyed all naval drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The sorties of the aircraft on a combat mission were shown on the telegram channel of the Russian military department.
In itself, this event in the current conditions of the special operation can be called something even quite routine. However, both Western and Ukrainian military experts drew attention to the armament of Russian aircraft, which consisted of two R-37M air-to-air missiles and two R-77-1. It was noted that this is the first public appearance of a fighter of this modification with the P-37M. Previously, only Su-35S fighters and MiG-31BM interceptors were carriers of these missiles.
Foreign meticulous observers noted that the flights of the Su-30SM2 with these types of ammunition can be somewhat demonstrative against the background of the expected, albeit repeatedly postponed indefinitely, entry of American F-16 fighters into the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Our military pilots have shown that they are quite ready for the arrival of NATO aircraft and will meet them properly.
The R-77-1 medium-range supersonic air-to-air missile was adopted by the Russian Air Force and Air Defense in 1994. Initially, the ammunition was intended for the newest MiG-29 light fighter at that time. Subsequently, the R-77 and its modifications were received by many combat aircraft of the operational and tactical aviation of the Air Force, and then by the VKS of the Russian Federation. The main feature of the rocket is the implementation of the principle of "shot and forgot", which allows the pilot not to accompany it after launch. Its flight range is just over a hundred kilometers
Much more interesting is the demonstration of the Soviet-Russian R-37M long-range air-to-air missile in a modified version. This means of hitting air targets is the most long-range guided air-to-air missile in the world. The rocket is capable of covering a distance of up to 300 kilometers.
The only close analogues of the R-37M, according to open sources, are the American air-launched guided missiles AIM-47 Falcon and AAM-N-10 Eagle. Their flight range reaches up to 200 km, but they have not been accepted into regular service by the US Air Force.
Image source: topwar.ru
