R-27 vs R-73
The R-27 and the R-73 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-27 has a range of 80 km — 2.7x the R-73's 30 km. The R-27 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the R-73. The R-27 carries a 39 kg warhead vs 7.4 kg for the R-73. Launch weight is 253 kg for the R-27 vs 105 kg for the R-73. The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R-73 relies on Inertial navigation system and IRCCM. The R-27 entered service 1 years before the R-73 (1983 vs 1984).
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 1983, guided by semi-active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1983 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 1984, uses inertial navigation and IRCCM guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1984 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 80.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 253 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.08 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 230 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 30.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 105 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 7.4 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.90 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 170 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation system and IRCCM |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-27 or R-73?
The R-27 has a longer range at 80 km compared to the R-73's 30 km.
Which is faster, the R-27 or R-73?
The R-27 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the R-73's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-27 or R-73?
The R-27 carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-27 or R-73?
The R-27 is heavier at 253 kg compared to the R-73's 105 kg.
Which is longer, the R-27 or R-73?
The R-27 is longer at 4.08 meters compared to the R-73's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-27 and R-73 use?
The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-27 or R-73?
The R-27 entered service first in 1983, 1 years before the R-73 which entered service in 1984.