K-5 (missile)

The Kaliningrad K-5 (NATO reporting name AA-1 Alkali), also known as RS-1U or product ShM, was an early Soviet air-to-air missile.

Not to be confused with K-5 (ballistic missile).
K-5
AA-1 Alkali
K-5M
TypeShort-range air-to-air missile
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1957-1977
Used bySoviet Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerKaliningrad Series Production Plant
VariantsK-55
Specifications
Mass82.7 kg (182 lb)
Length2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
Diameter200 mm (7.9 in)
WarheadHigh explosive
Warhead weight13 kg (29 lb)
EngineRocket
Operational
range
2 to 6 kilometres (1.2 to 3.7 mi)
Maximum speed 2,880 km/h (1,790 mph) (Mach 2.33)
Guidance
system
beam riding
Launch
platform
MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21, Su-9

History

The development of the K-5 began in 1951. The first test firings were in 1953. It was tested (but not operationally carried) by the Yakovlev Yak-25. The weapon entered service as the Grushin/Tomashevich (Russian: Грушин/Томашевич) RS-2U (also known as the R-5MS or K-5MS) in 1957. The initial version was matched to the RP-2U (Izumrud-2) radar used on the MiG-17PFU, MiG-19PM. An improved variant, K-5M or RS-2US in PVO service, entered production in 1959, matched to the RP-9/RP-9U (Sapfir) radar of the Sukhoi Su-9. The People's Republic of China developed a copy under the designation PL-1, for use by their J-6B fighters.

The difficulties associated with beam-riding guidance, particularly in a single-seat fighter aircraft, were substantial, making the 'Alkali' primarily a short-range anti-bomber missile. Around 1967 the K-5 was replaced by the K-55 (R-55 in service), which replaced the beam-riding seeker with the semi-active radar homing or infrared seekers of the K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll'). The weapon was 7.8 kg (17 lb) heavier than the K-5, but had a smaller 9.1 kg (20 lb) warhead. The K-55 remained in service through about 1977, probably being retired with the last of the Sukhoi Su-9 interceptors.

Specifications (RS-2US / K-5MS)
  • Length: 2,500 mm (8 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 654 mm (2 ft 1.7 in)
  • Diameter: 200 mm (7 7⁄8 in)
  • Launch weight: 82.7 kg (182 lb)
  • Speed: 800 m/s (2,880 km/h; 1,790 mph)
  • Range: 2–6 km (1 1⁄4–3 3⁄4 mi)
  • Guidance: beam riding
  • Warhead: 13.0 kg (28.7 lb)

Operators
Map with former K-5 operators in red

Former operators
 Soviet Union
Both the Soviet Air Force (VVS) and the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) operated the K-5.
 China
The People's Liberation Army Air Force operated licensed Chinese copy of Kaliningrad K-5 designated as PL-1 (PL: short for Pi Li or Pili, meaning thunderbolt).
 Czechoslovakia
The Czechoslovakian Air Force operated RS-2U and RS-2US.
 Hungary
The Hungarian Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs, MiG–21PFs and MiG–21MFs.
 Poland
The Polish Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21s, still in use as practice target.[1]
 Romania
Locally produced A-90 copy by Electromecanica Ploiesti (1984)
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See also

References
  1. SRCP-WR z ITWL. pl.
  • Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
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