Russia Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
R-73
A short-range, high-off-boresight infrared-homing air-to-air missile, NATO-reported as AA-11 Archer, that set the benchmark for helmet-mounted-sight-cued dogfight missiles when introduced. It remains the standard within-visual-range weapon of Russian and many former-Soviet-aligned fighter fleets.
In service since 1984 · 30 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
30
km range
2.5
Mach
7
kg warhead
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 30 operators
In service since 1984. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 2.5 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 30 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 7 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Blast-fragmentation, laser proximity fuze |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Infrared homing, Helmet-mounted sight cueing |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 2.9 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 105 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Solid-fuel rocket |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 30 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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R-73 vs
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73? +
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 has a maximum range of 30 km.
How much does the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 weigh? +
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 has a combat weight of 105 kg.
What is the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 used for? +
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 is a missile typically used for air superiority.
How many countries operate the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73? +
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 is operated by 30 countries.
How much does the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73 cost? +
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) R-73: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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