K-5 (missile)
Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:One source Template:Infobox weapon The Kaliningrad K-5 (NATO reporting name AA-1 Alkali), also known as RS-1U or product ShM, was an early Soviet air-to-air missile.
History
The development of the K-5 began in 1951. The first test firings were in 1953. It was tested (but not operationally carried) by the Yakovlev Yak-25. The weapon entered service as the Grushin/Tomashevich (Template:Langx) RS-2U (also known as the R-5MS or K-5MS) in 1957. The initial version was matched to the RP-2U (Izumrud-2) radar used on the MiG-17PFU, MiG-19PM. An improved variant, K-5M or RS-2US in PVO service, entered production in 1959, matched to the RP-9/RP-9U (TsD-30) radar of the Sukhoi Su-9. The People's Republic of China developed a copy under the designation PL-1, for use by their J-6B fighters.
The difficulties associated with beam-riding guidance, particularly in a single-seat fighter aircraft, were substantial, making the 'Alkali' primarily a short-range anti-bomber missile. Around 1967 the K-5 was replaced by the K-55 (R-55 in service), which replaced the beam-riding seeker with the semi-active radar homing or infrared seekers of the K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll'). The weapon was Template:Convert heavier than the K-5, but had a smaller Template:Convert warhead. The K-55 remained in service until about 1977, probably being retired with the last of the Sukhoi Su-9 interceptors.
Specifications (RS-2US / K-5MS)
- Length: Template:Convert
- Wingspan: Template:Convert
- Diameter: Template:Convert
- Launch weight: Template:Convert
- Speed: 800 m/s (Template:Convert)
- Range: Template:Convert
- Guidance: beam riding
- Warhead: Template:Convert
Operators
Current operator
- Template:PRK
- Used on MiG-21PFM.
Former operators
- Template:USSR
- Both the Soviet Air Force (VVS) and the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) operated the K-5.
- Template:Flaglist
- The Air Force of the Albanian People's Army received 400 PL-1 from China in 1965 and 1966 for its Shenyang F-5 (MiG-17F) aircraft<ref name="SIPRI">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:CHN
- The People's Liberation Army Air Force operated licensed Chinese copy of Kaliningrad K-5 designated as PL-1 (PL: short for Pi Li or Pili, meaning thunderbolt).
- Template:CZS
- The Czechoslovak Air Force operated RS-2U and RS-2US.
- Template:GDR
- The Air Forces of the National People's Army operated RS-2U on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21PF.
- Template:HUN
- The Hungarian Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs, MiG-21PFs and MiG-21MFs.
- Template:Flag
- Malian Air Force<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>
- Template:POL
- The Polish Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21s.<ref>SRCP-WR z ITWL. pl.</ref>
- Template:ROU
- Locally produced A-90 copy by Electromecanica Ploiesti (1984)
See also
References
- Citations
- Bibliography
External links
- RS-2U - Air-to-Air missile at aviation.ru
- K-5 at airwar.ru
- Template:In langK-5 Template:Webarchive at missiles.ru
- - Electromecanica website: Air-to-Air missileTemplate:Dead link
Template:Russian and Soviet missiles Template:Russian and Soviet Aircraft Ordnance