Russian Air Force uses new R-77M air-to-air missile to engage targets in Ukraine from nearly 200 kilometers away.

On July 24, 2025, La Souris released a picture confirming for the first time the operational deployment of Russia’s R-77M air-to-air missile under the wing of a Su-35S fighter aircraft, in what appears to be a combat mission. This public image aligns with footage released in October 2020 during the centenary of Russia’s 929th Chkalov State Flight Test Center, where Su-57 aircraft were observed carrying similar missiles externally. Ukrainian sources reported corresponding missile wreckage recovered in the country, supporting claims of its use in active combat. The R-77M is reportedly used by both the Su-35S and the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft, and this confirmed operational sighting marks a transition from development and limited testing to field use.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The R-77M, or Izdelie 180, is widely considered a complete overhaul of the R-77, aimed specifically at meeting the requirements of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter program, the Su-57, while remaining compatible with advanced fourth-generation aircraft like the Su-35S. (Picture source: Military Avia via X/La Souris)

The R-77M, also known as K-77M or Izdelie 180, is a major update to the R-77 missile family, originally designed in the 1980s by the Soviet-era Vympel Design Bureau under the designation Izdeliye 170. The baseline R-77 (also known as RVV-AE or K-77) entered service in the 1990s and was followed by the R-77-1 (Izdeliye 170-1 or RVV-SD), which introduced aerodynamic refinements and seeker improvements. Both retained the original lattice fin design and had engagement ranges of approximately 70–80 km for the R-77 and 110 km for the R-77-1. Russian sources acknowledge the limitations of the lattice control fins, which failed to deploy reliably, increased drag, and raised radar signature for both the missile and its launch platform. The R-77M abandons these fins in favor of cropped cruciform stabilizers, lowering radar cross-section and improving internal carriage compatibility with the Su-57’s weapons bays.

The development of the R-77M began in the early 2010s, with production handled by the Vympel Design Bureau, part of the Tactical Missiles Corporation. Initial trials were conducted on Su-57 prototypes, and despite claims of internal carriage, public images continue to show external mounts. Reports indicate that production has now reached operational levels, and deployment has been observed on aircraft conducting missions in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, sources mention a separate variant known as Izdeliye 180-PD or R-77ME, reportedly incorporating a ramjet propulsion system and offering extended range, but this missile is not yet confirmed in service. Earlier plans for a similar system, the R-77-PD (RVB-AE-PD), were suspended in 2013 at the research and development stage. The fielding of the R-77M indicates that Russia has prioritized expanding the operational range and flexibility of its standard air-to-air missile inventory to respond to developments in NATO and Chinese air forces.

The R-77M introduces a dual-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor to replace the single-pulse design used in earlier models. This engine enables controlled thrust output during the missile’s flight, extending its range and improving its ability to engage maneuvering targets in the terminal phase. Russian sources claim a maximum range of 190 km against high-altitude targets, though actual performance depends on launch conditions such as altitude, speed, and trajectory. The missile is also equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker, specifically the 9B-1348M developed by the Agat Research Institute. This seeker provides a wider field of view, rapid response to evasive maneuvers, and enhanced resistance to jamming. Some variants of the R-77M are reported to include hybrid guidance systems with active, passive, and semi-active modes, allowing cooperative engagements using radars such as the N011M Bars-R, N035 Irbis-E, and N036 Belka.

Technical reports from Russian sources describe the missile’s aerodynamic configuration as using a lift-generating body with low-chord wings and flat control surfaces. The dual-pulse engine permits sustained thrust throughout the trajectory and contributes to higher average speeds of 3500 km/h and maximum speeds up to 5100 km/h. The missile is claimed to reach interception altitudes of up to 30,000 meters and to withstand overloads up to 25–27 Gs, compared to 8 Gs for the longer-ranged R-37M. Russian defense media state that the R-77M is capable of intercepting cruise missiles and incoming air-to-air missiles with speeds between 4500 and 5100 km/h. According to Russian reports, the missile may also use guidance heads such as the 9B-1103M-200PS or 9B-1103M-200PA, which include active and passive modes, allowing target illumination by external radars and the ability to track emitting sources in passive mode at ranges between 25 and 5 km.

The R-77M is compatible with several Russian combat aircraft, including the Su-35S, Su-30SM2, Su-57, MiG-31BM, and potentially future aircraft like the Su-75. The missile’s appearance on Su-35S platforms, alongside standard R-77-1 and R-73/74 missiles, was documented in recent Russian media. In these images, the R-77M is visibly mounted under the engine intake pylons, distinct from the central wing pylons used for older missiles. Ukrainian defense media note that this introduction of the R-77M into regular service increases the threat to Ukrainian fighters such as MiG-29s, especially as the missile is suited for high-altitude patrol tactics and long-range standoff engagements. The range increase and upgraded seeker are described as factors that may necessitate improvements to Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

Western defense analysts, including Douglas Barrie from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, regard the R-77M as a significant upgrade over the R-77-1, though its effectiveness remains subject to conditions in contested electronic warfare environments. The War Zone and other observers have stated that the R-77M's confirmed appearance in combat raises its relevance in air-to-air competition, particularly in view of the forthcoming deployment of Western platforms such as the F-16AM and Mirage 2000-5F in Ukrainian service. U.S. reports, including from the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment, have also noted Russia’s development of nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles for MiG and Su-series aircraft, though the status of these systems remains uncertain. Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov, before his death in 2023, described Russian long-range missiles like the R-37M as reducing the operational flexibility of Ukrainian pilots. The addition of the R-77M is expected to further complicate Ukrainian air operations.

The emergence of the R-77M/K-77M also coincides with continued interest in a further variant, known as the R-77ME or Izdeliye 180-PD, which reportedly uses ramjet propulsion. While not confirmed to be in service, this missile would likely offer extended range and higher terminal velocity, rivaling the European MBDA Meteor. The K-77M is already being integrated with various Russian platforms, including the Su-30SM2, MiG-35, and potentially the future Su-75. Russian reports also mention that the missile was recently spotted during flight trials at the Zhukovsky Gromov Flight Research Institute and that mass production has commenced. Furthermore, Russian sources claim the missile may be capable of intercepting air-to-air and anti-radiation missiles in flight, expanding its defensive utility. As such, the R-77M is seen as a cornerstone of Russia’s air dominance strategy through the end of the decade.