K-8 (missile)


The Kaliningrad K-8 was a medium-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union for interceptor aircraft use.
The missile was developed by OKB-339/NII-339. The infrared seeker was developed by TsKB-589 GKOT, who also developed the seeker for 9M31 missile of 9K31 Strela-1.

History

The K-8's development began in 1955, known as R-8 in service. Like most Soviet air-to-air missiles, it was made with a choice of semi-active radar homing or infrared seeker heads. The original missile was compatible with the Uragan-5B radar used on the Sukhoi Su-11 and several developmental aircraft from Mikoyan-Gurevich.
It was upgraded to R-8M standard in 1961, giving the SARH weapon the capability for head-on intercepts. In 1963 it was further upgraded to the R-8M1, making it compatible with the RP-11 Oriol-D radar of the Sukhoi Su-15 and Yakovlev Yak-28P.
Subsequent development led in 1965 to R-8M2, more commonly called R-98, with longer range and improved seekers, compatible with the upgraded RP-11 Oryol-M radar. The final variant, introduced from 1973, was the R-98M1 with better countermeasures resistance and longer range, matched to the Taifun-M radar of the Su-15TM and Yak-28PM interceptors.
The R-98M1 remained in service through the 1980s, being withdrawn with the last Su-15 'Flagon' interceptors.
A variant using the seeker heads of the K-13, giving better dogfight capability, was developed in 1960 as the K-88, but it did not enter service.
An inert training version was also developed, designated UR-8M.
The R-98 brought down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 on September 1, 1983.

Operators

;: Soviet Air Defence Forces

Specifications (R-98MT / R-98MR)