The Kaliningrad K-8 (R-8) (NATO reporting name AA-3 'Anab') was a medium-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union for interceptor aircraft use. The K-8 was developed by OKB-339/NII-339 (currently Phazotron NIIR). The infrared seeker was developed by TsKB-589 GKOT (currently TsKB Geofizika), who also developed the seeker for 9M31 missile of 9K31 Strela-1.
== History == The K-8's development began in 1955, known as R-8 in service. Like most Soviet air-to-air missiles, it was made with a choice of semi-active radar homing or infrared seeker heads. The original missile was compatible with the Uragan-5B radar used on the Sukhoi Su-11 and several developmental aircraft from Mikoyan-Gurevich. It was upgraded to R-8M (better known as R-98) standard in 1961, giving the SARH weapon the capability for head-on intercepts. In 1963 it was further upgraded to the R-8M1, making it compatible with the RP-11 Oryol-D radar of the Sukhoi Su-15 and Yakovlev Yak-28P. Subsequent development led in 1965 to R-8M2, more commonly called R-98, with longer range and improved seekers, compatible with the upgraded RP-11 Oryol-M ("Eagle") radar. The final variant, introduced from 1973, was the R-98M1 (NATO 'Advanced Anab') with better countermeasures resistance and longer range, matched to the Taifun-M radar of the Su-15TM and Yak-28PM interceptors. The R-98M1 remained in service through the 1980s, being withdrawn with the last Su-15 'Flagon' interceptors. A short-range variant using development of the K-8 medium-range missile and the Malyutka infrared seeker head being developed for the K-13, was developed in 1960 as the K-88, but it did not enter service. Losing out to K-55 missile An inert training version was also developed, designated UR-8M. Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was shot down by a K-8 launched from an Su-15 on September 1, 1983.
== Operators == Soviet Union Soviet Air Defence Forces
Specifications (R-98MT / R-98MR)
Length: (R-98MT) 4 m (13 ft 1 in); (R-98MR) 4.27 m (14 ft) Wingspan: 1300 mm (4 ft 3 in) Diameter: 280 mm (11 in) Launch weight: (R-98MT) 272 kg (600 lb); (R-98MR) 292 kg (642 lb) Speed: Mach 2 Range: 23 km (14.4 mi) Guidance: (R-98MT) infrared homing; (R-98MR) semi-active radar homing Warhead: 40 kg (88 lb) blast fragmentation
== References == Citations
Bibliography
External links
(in Russian) R-8 on the site of aviation encyclopaedia «Sky corner» (airwar.ru) (in Russian) R-98 on the site of aviation encyclopaedia «Sky corner» (airwar.ru)