AA-8 "Aphid"
| Date of Production | 1961 |
| Country of Origin | Russia (Former Soviet Union) |
| Proliferation: Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Viet Nam, Yemen | |
Background
The Vympel K-13 (NATO reporting name: AA-2 "Atoll") is a short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union. It is similar in appearance and function to the American AIM-9 Sidewinder from which it was reverse-engineered. Although it since has been replaced by more modern missiles in frontline service, it saw widespread service in many nations. The Sidewinder was quickly reverse engineered as the K-13 (also called R-3 or Object 300) and entered limited service only two years later in 1960. This was followed by the improved K-13A (R-3S, Object 310), which entered service in 1962. The R-3S was the first version to enter widespread production, in spite of a very long seeker settling time on the order of 22 seconds, as opposed to 11 seconds for the original version. The R-3S was seen by the West in 1961 and given the NATO reporting name AA-2A 'Atoll'. Minimum engagement range for the R-3S is about one kilometer. All K-13 variants are physically similar to Sidewinder, sharing the 5-inch (127 mm) diameter. Subsequent examination of AA-2 missiles captured by NATO forces showed that parts from an AIM-9 could be interfaced with parts from an AA-2 and either combination would still work.
General Characteristics
| Name | K-13; NATO: AA-2 Atoll |
| Type | Infrared Homing Air-to-Air Missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Length | 2.830 m |
|
Diameter
|
127 mm |
| Wingspan | 631 mm |
| Weight | 90 kg |
| Warhead Weight | 7.4 kg |
| Engine | solid-fuel rocket engine |
| Operational Range | 1.0 to 3.5 km |
| Maximum Speed | Mach 2.5 |
| Guidance System | infrared homing |
| Launch Platform(s) | MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-19, Sukhoi Su-17/20/22 |
Threat Characteristics
| Rear Aspect Range | 2 Nautical Miles |
| Front Aspect Range | 3 Nautical Miles |
| Countermeasure Vulnerability | Very High |
Threat Counter Tactics Discussion
The AA-2 Atoll is most dangerous when launched undetected. Counter tactics should emphasis visual lookout responsibilities and sanitization.
Threat Reactions
A maximum performance turn in excess of 3Gs while deploying flares has a high probability of defeating this threat.