Dimitris -> RE: Proper usage of R-27T/ET (12/18/2021 6:47:00 PM)
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The R-27T/ET does indeed have a _very_ theoretical LOAL capability, similar to the R-40T/TD. However, to my knowledge, this was never used operationally because (contrary to the R-40T/TD and also to R-27R/ER) the missile does not have a datalink for mid-course guidance. As a result, the missile is extremely prone to locking on heat sources other than the intended target. For this reason, in practice only the LOBL mode is used. The R-27R/ER does have a mid-course datalink and can indeed be "blind-fired" and guided with terminal-only illumination. This capability was added specifically to deal with western noise jamming preventing pre-launch illumination.
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