AA-6 'ACRID' (R-40)
TYPE:
Medium range IR and radar guided air-to-air missile.
DEVELOPMENT:
AA-6 'Acrid' is the NATO designation and code for this
Russian R-40 air-to-air missile developed in the late
1960s and probably the first of the third generation
of
Russian air-to-air missiles comprising AA-6 'Acrid',
AA-7 'Apex' and AA-8 'Aphid'. Again, two versions have
been reported, an IR (R-40T) and a semi-active radar
guided (R-40R). These have been updated and improved
since their original design with the improved versions
designated R-40TD and R-40RD.
DESCRIPTION:
AA-6 'Acrid' is similar in shape, but much larger than,
the AA-3 'Anab' air-to-air missile. The missile has
four small clipped delta control fins near the nose,
four large clipped delta wings with control surfaces
aft and a distinctively long tapered boat tail. The
radar and the IR missiles are about the same
dimensions, having a length of 6.2 m, a body diameter
of 355 mm and a wingspan of 1.8 m. With their 70 kg HE
fragmentation warhead both missiles weigh around 475
kg
at launch.
SPECIFICATIONS:
'Acrid' (R-40R)
Length: 6.2 m
Body diameter: 355 mm
Wingspan: 1.8 m
Launch weight: 475 kg
Warhead: 70 kg HE fragmentation
Fuze: Radar and active laser
Guidance: Command, inertial and semi-active radar
Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 30 km
'Acrid' (R-40TD)
Length: 6.2 m
Body diameter: 355 mm
Wingspan: 1.8 m
Launch weight: 475 kg
Warhead: 70 kg HE fragmentation
Fuze: Radar and active laser
Guidance: Command, inertial and IR
Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 30 km