SP, MLRS and SPAA Developments

[DRG]

KNDS Plans to Deliver First RCH 155 to Ukraine in April 2025


https://mil.in.ua/en/news/knds-plans...in-april-2025/

[MarkSheppard]

Ukraine:

https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/...rc=twsrc%5Etfw

Ukrainian forces modified a 9K33 Osa surface-to-air system to fire R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missiles.

The project, funded by
@BackAndAlive
, is the first time a charity has modernized a SAM system like this.

"The aviation missile has some advantages, because it works on the "fire it and forget it" principle, it does not need to be accompanied like a regular Osa missile. Immediately after firing the R-73, you can move from your position so as not to receive a retaliatory strike,"

Photos in this:

https://x.com/kvistp/status/1866913690311602410

[DRG]

I'm dealing with an overload of issues ATM....... I cannot find this weapon in the game. It may be under a different name or number designation.

If you know where it is let me know

The other question is does it do anything better "game-wise" than the existing SAM inventory......... like the SA-8b Gecko that is already in the already crowded OOB?

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well, you will find this interesting Ukraine has been doing some modifications which is fielded and unfortunately might complicate the issue.

Ukraine has had the R-73 apparently for a longtime it was designed to be an Air-to-Air missile.

The R-73 is the better missile with double the range of the Gecko. Just about across the board overall it's pretty much in all the categories head-to-head.

I've gotten myself sick and CINCLANTHOME just came out to get me.

What's interesting is what launcher they chose to use for the R-73. think GECKO.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...n-military-aid
https://defence-blog.com/ukraine-mod...-new-missiles/

I desperately need to get some sleep as I'm still a "working man" and before I get a return visit!?!

Hope my answer on Rosamak turret helped?

Regards,
Pat

[MarkSheppard]

Originally Posted by DRG

I'm dealing with an overload of issues ATM....... I cannot find this weapon in the game. It may be under a different name or number designation.

From Wiki:

The Vympel R-73 (NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer) is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by Vympel NPO that entered service in 1984.

NATO ended up testing a pile of them when East Germany fell; and found that the R-73 was far more capable than the Sidewinders of the era (1990), which forced development of all the modern short range missiles (AIM-9X, etc) by NATO.

A close analog would be OBAT12 USA - Weapon 129 - MIM-72 SAM used for the M48 Chaparral; with adjustments to account for:

Greater Range (R73 is 6.5 inches in diameter versus 5 inches for Sidewinder -- that 1.5 extra inches gives more range)

Slightly Improved Accuracy (accounting for off-axis capability of R73 seeker head)

But as you said, the AFU OBAT is getting pretty crowded; and we don't know just how many of these new FrankenSAMs are being made.

[DRG]

I had a full post ready to send and my new keyboard bit me in the ***

IN THE GAME from the info I have found the R-73 would use pretty much the same stats as the existing Ukraine weapon 140 9M33M3 Osa but with the max game range of 255 and a WH of 11 instead of 10 the 9M33M3 has

In RL the R-73 would be an improvement...... especially when the supply of 9M33M3's have dried up but in the game I don't see it making any difference at all but I will build a unit and wait and see what develops between now and whenever we finally release V18

Right now I see this as a minor upgrade but in RL this is an important modification to a weapon I assume they and others who support Ukraine have a significant stock of

AH!............."All anti-aircraft missile regiments of Ukraine’s Land Forces equipped with the Osa system have received these upgraded systems."-

https://armyrecognition.com/focus-an...reign-supplies

The Hornet project is separate from the FrankenSAM initiative, which focuses on integrating Soviet-era systems with NATO missile technologies. FrankenSAM efforts include retrofitting Buk-M1 systems with RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles and adapting Soviet radars to work with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. A third FrankenSAM system under development combines Patriot missile components with Ukrainian radar systems. Testing of this system has shown it can destroy aerial targets, and it is expected to be operational by winter. Western allies have supported Ukraine's air defense efforts, contributing systems such as Patriot and IRIS-T as part of military aid totaling over $100 billion since February 2022.

[DRG]

Here's another question........ how many does it carry ?

[DRG]

Apparently, they have been looking for ways to use this for a while.......May 7, 2024 for the naval drone

https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and...les-10421.html

Ukrainian Magura V5 ( Marine ) Drone Equipped with R-73 Anti-Aircraft Missiles

[DRG]

Well...... we are down to 13 unused weapons slots as they received the SAMP/T at the end of September


https://kyivindependent.com/italy-to...-of-september/

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Called out at 0530, so simply put the R-73 is superior to the 9M33 missiles.

I did some further "back checking" on my two sources from my last post.

So,
1) I'm not going to make this hard on myself, so I feel comfortable just to "cut and paste" from them.

2) It'll show a clear separation between the two.

9M33/GECKO
"The original 9K33 Osa system, equipped with various 9M33 series missiles, has a range of up to 7.5 miles and relies on radio command guidance."

However, I have found enough to support the following from ref. 1 last post same para.
The version most likely in use by Ukraine is the Osa-AKM (SA-8B Gecko Mod-1) , which employs 9M33M3 missiles with a maximum range of 9.3 miles and a ceiling of 40,000 feet. Unlike the original model, which carries four exposed missiles, the Osa-AKM features six missiles housed in box-type containers. (I believe in game that's the picture we have x6.

R-73/NATO AA-11 Archer
"The modified Osa systems can now carry a pair of rail-launched R-73s, replacing the standard canisterized 9M33 missiles. The R-73, a short-range missile with an infrared homing head, is designed for intercepting and destroying highly maneuverable enemy aircraft and drones in close air combat. It is effective day and night, from any direction, against targets in both the front and rear hemispheres and performs well under active electronic countermeasures. "

Further from my ref. 2 last post.
"Key characteristics of the R-73 include its ability to lock onto targets after launch (LOAL), allowing it to engage highly maneuverable and fast-moving aerial targets. The missile has a thrust-vectoring system, which enhances its maneuverability, making it highly effective in dogfights. It has an operational range of up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles vs. 9.3 miles for GECKO.) and can engage targets at altitudes from 500 meters (1640 feet.) to 20 kilometers (65,600+ feet vs. 40,000 feet for GECKO.) . The R-73 is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead and an infrared seeker, providing all-aspect targeting capability, allowing it to strike targets from any angle."

This is like comparing "Apples to Oranges".
https://defence-blog.com/ukraine-mod...-new-missiles/
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...n-military-aid
(Reposted from last.)
https://weaponsystems.net/system/1064-9K33%20Osa
(The main page pictured unit (Bulgaria) is the same as was operated by the Ukraine 6-Luancher version.)
https://ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-PLA-PD-SAM.html#Gecko
(Scroll down 3/4 of the page.)
https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-PLA-...mozTocId969013
(Pay attention what we are discussing which is a modification of an Air-to-air missile. However, it's worth the view for characteristic purposes.
Scroll down near bottom of page.)
https://ausairpower.net/search.html
(Homepage and about the best in what they do IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO DO SO.)

That was "SHORT and QUICK" just the way Don likes them to be.

Regards,
Pat