Images confirm the use of the new long-range weapon against Ukrainian aviation
Russian Su-35 fighters have begun to be equipped with the new long-range air-to-air missile K-77M, marking an evolution in the Russian Air Force’s capabilities in its aerial campaign against Ukraine.
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An image released by open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts on the @TheDeadDistrict profile on social network X shows a Su-35 armed with a set of missiles, including the K-77M, along with the already known R-77 and R-73.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Telegram channel “General Staff Colonel” published photos of identifiable fragments of the K-77M missile found in combat zones, indicating recent use.
However, analysis of the images suggests that the number of K-77M missiles is still limited. Of the four missiles mounted under the wing of the Su-35 in the published photo, only one can be confirmed as a K-77M. Two others appear to be R-77 or R-77-1 models, while the fourth could not be identified due to visual obstruction by the landing gear. This may indicate that the new weapon is still in limited production.
Developed by the Vympel design bureau, part of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, the K-77M (also known as “Product 180”) is a modernized version of the R-77-1 missile. Unlike its predecessor, the new missile uses conventional control surfaces instead of lattice fins and features redesigned stabilizers, possibly for compatibility with the internal bays of the stealth Su-57 fighter.
One of the main innovations of the K-77M is its dual-pulse solid fuel motor, which extends the nominal range from 110 km (R-77-1) to up to 190 km. It is also visually longer: 4,000 mm compared to the R-77-1’s 3,710 mm, according to diagrams shared by the Ukrainian channel “Vodohrai”.
The use of the K-77M represents a significant expansion of Russia’s long-range engagement capability, especially against targets with higher mobility and electronic protection.
Source and images: Militarnyi, X @TheDeadDistrict. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
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