Belarus Air Force Yak-130 Combat-Trainer Launches R-73 Guided Missile

Pilots of the 116th Guards Assault Air Force Base and Air Defense of the Republic of Belarus carried out missile launches from the Russian-made Yak-130 combat training aircraft.

During the exercise, R-73 air-to-air guided missiles were launched and hit the designed target, an Irkut statement said today.

"The successful launches of missiles from the Yak-130 combat-trainer means an increase in air defence capabilities and an efficient execution of tasks through the use of the unique capabilities of the Yak-130," said Boris Budaev, Deputy Commander of the Belarus Air Force and Air defense Armament in an interview with a TV channel, VoenTV Belarus, the statement said.

The first batch of combat training aircraft Yak-130 was handed over by Irkut corporation Russian Belarusian military in April 2015.

During MAKS-2015 the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus and the Irkut Corporation Irkut signed a contract for the delivery of a new batch of combat training aircraft Yak-130.

According to published information, the R-73 is an infrared homing (heat-seeking) missile. It can be targeted by a helmet-mounted sight allowing pilots to designate targets by looking at them. Minimum engagement range is about 300 meters, with maximum aerodynamic range of nearly 30 km at altitude. The weapon is used by the MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27, Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft.  It can also be carried by Russian attack helicopters, including the Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-28, and Kamov Ka-50/52.

The R-73 is believed to have prompted the development of a number of western air-to-air missiles including the ASRAAM, IRIS-T, MICA IR, Python IV and the latest Sidewinder variant, the AIM-9X which entered squadron service in 2003.