R-27 vs R-33
The R-27 and the R-33 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-33 has a range of 160 km — 2.0x the R-27's 80 km. The R-27 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 5,556 km/h for the R-33. The R-27 carries a 39 kg warhead vs 47.5 kg for the R-33. Launch weight is 253 kg for the R-27 vs 490 kg for the R-33. The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R-33 relies on Inertial and semi-active radar homing. The R-33 entered service 2 years before the R-27 (1981 vs 1983).
| 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 |
| Soviet air-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, carries a 47.5 kg warhead. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1981 |
| 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 | 160.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 490 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 47.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.15 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial and semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-27 or R-33?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the R-27's 80 km.
Which is faster, the R-27 or R-33?
Both the R-27 and R-33 have the same maximum speed of Mach 4.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-27 or R-33?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the R-27's 39 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-27 or R-33?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the R-27's 253 kg.
Which is longer, the R-27 or R-33?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the R-27's 4.08 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-27 and R-33 use?
The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-27 or R-33?
The R-33 entered service first in 1981, 2 years before the R-27 which entered service in 1983.