K-5 (missile)


The Kaliningrad K-5, also known as RS-1U or product ShM, was an early Soviet air-to-air missile.

History

The development of the K-5 began in 1951. The first test firings were in 1953. It was tested by the Yakovlev Yak-25. The weapon entered service as the Grushin/Tomashevich RS-2U in 1957. The initial version was matched to the RP-2U 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 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, which replaced the beam-riding seeker with the semi-active radar homing or infrared seekers of the K-13 . The weapon was heavier than the K-5, but had a smaller warhead. The K-55 remained in service until about 1977, probably being retired with the last of the Sukhoi Su-9 interceptors.

Specifications (RS-2US / K-5MS)

  • Length:
  • Wingspan:
  • Diameter:
  • Launch weight:
  • Speed: 800 m/s
  • Range:
  • Guidance: beam riding
  • Warhead:

    Operators

Current operator

;: Used on MiG-21PFM.

Former operators

; : Both the Soviet Air Force and the Soviet [Air Defence Forces] operated the K-5.
; : The Air Force of the Albanian People's Army received 400 PL-1 from China in 1965 and 1966 for its Shenyang F-5 aircraft
; : Used by the Bulgarian Air Force as late as December 1984
; : The People's [Liberation Army Air Force] operated licensed Chinese copy of Kaliningrad K-5 designated as PL-1.
; : Used by the Cuban [Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force] as late as December 1984
; : The Czechoslovak Air Force operated RS-2U and RS-2US.
; : The Air Forces of [the National People's Army] operated RS-2U on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21PF.
; : The Hungarian Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs, MiG-21PFs and MiG-21MFs.
; : Used by the Iraqi Air Force as late as December 1984
; : Malian Air Force
; : The Polish Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21s. Remained in service as late as December 1984
; : Locally produced A-90 copy by Electromecanica Ploiesti