Missile R-23 & R-24 (AA-7 Apex)
Summary
| NATO Designation | AA-7 Apex |
| Category | Air-to-Air Missiles |
| Sub-type | Infrared or semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Status | In service |
| Year of service | 1981 |
Technical specifications
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead weight | 35 kg (77 lb) |
| Diameter | 223 mm (8.8 in) |
| Span | 1,000 mm (39.4 in) |
| Length | 4,500 mm (177.2 in) |
| Flight altitude | 25,000 m (82,021 ft) |
| Weight | 235 kg (518 lb) |
| Range | 50 km (31 mi) |
| Max. speed | 3,704 km/h (Mach 3.7) |
R-23 & R-24 scale diagram
Description
The AA-7 Apex was a medium-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union to succeed earlier R-3 and K-13 missiles. It entered service in the 1970s in two variants - the R-23 with semi-active radar homing and the R-24 with infrared homing.
The R-23/24 provided an improved beyond visual range capability for Soviet fighters and interceptors compared to earlier technology. With a range over 30 miles, it extended engagement envelopes though still relying on reasonably close ranges and initial visual contact.
The infrared R-24 variant introduced a "fire and forget" heat seeking capability to Soviet fighters like the MiG-23 and Su-15. The radar-guided R-23 required the launch aircraft to illuminate the target until missile impact.
Though considered primitive compared to third generation missiles, the Apex's greater speed and range improved Soviet BVR tactics during the 1970s and into the 1980s. It was exported to over 25 nations and saw combat in conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War on Iraqi aircraft.
The R-23/24 was ultimately replaced by more advanced missiles like the active radar R-27 Alamo and R-77 Adder in Russian service. But the AA-7 Apex represented an important interim advancement in Soviet missile technology until later long range fire-and-forget missiles were perfected.