K-8 (missile)

The Kaliningrad K-8 (R-8) (NATO reporting name AA-3 'Anab') was a medium-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union for interceptor aircraft use.

The K-8 was developed by OKB-339/NII-339 (currently Phazotron NIIR). The infrared seeker was developed by TsKB-589 GKOT (currently TsKB Geofizika), 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 (better known as R-98) 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 Oryol-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 ("Eagle") radar. The final variant, introduced from 1973, was the R-98M1 (NATO 'Advanced Anab') 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The R-98M1 remained in service through the 1980s, being withdrawn with the last Su-15 'Flagon' interceptors.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)

 * Length: (R-98MT) 4 m (13 ft 1 in); (R-98MR) 4.27 m (14 ft)
 * Wingspan: 1300 mm (4 ft 3 in)
 * Diameter: 280 mm (11 in)
 * Launch weight: (R-98MT) 272 kg (600 lb); (R-98MR) 292 kg (642 lb)
 * Speed: Mach 2
 * Range: 23 km (14.4 mi)
 * Guidance: (R-98MT) infrared homing; (R-98MR) semi-active radar homing
 * Warhead: 40 kg (88 lb) blast fragmentation