| K-8 AA-3 Anab | |
| Origin: | Soviet Union |
| Type: | Medium-range air-to-air missile |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 1960-1992 |
| Used By: | Soviet Air Defense Forces |
| Designer: | Matus Bisnovat |
| Manufacturer: | Kaliningrad Series Production Plant |
| Spec Label: | R-98MR |
| Weight: | 292kg (644lb) |
| Length: | 14feet |
| Diameter: | 280mm |
| Filling: | Blast fragmentation |
| Filling Weight: | 40kg (90lb) |
| Engine: | Solid-fuel rocket |
| Speed: | Mach 2 |
| Guidance: | Semi-active radar homing (R-98MR) Infrared homing (R-98MT) |
| Launch Platform: | Su-11, Su-15, Yak-28P |
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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
The R-98M1 remained in service through the 1980s, being withdrawn with the last Su-15 'Flagon' interceptors.[1]
A variant using the seeker heads of the K-13, giving better dogfight capability, was developed in 1960 as the K-88, but it did not enter service.[1]
An inert training version was also developed, designated UR-8M.[1]
The R-98 brought down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 on September 1, 1983.