K-5 (missile)

Not to be confused with K-5 (ballistic missile).

The Kaliningrad K-5 (NATO reporting name AA-1 Alkali), also known as RS-1U or product ShM, was an early Soviet air-to-air missile.

K-5 AA-1 Alkali
K-5M
Type	Short-range air-to-air missile
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1957-1977
Used by	Soviet Air Force
Production history
Manufacturer	Kaliningrad Series Production Plant
Variants	K-55
Specifications
Mass	82.7 kg (182 lb)
Length	2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
Diameter	200 mm (7.9 in)
Warhead	High explosive
Warhead weight	13 kg (29 lb)
Engine	Rocket
Operational range	2 to 6 kilometres (1.2 to 3.7 mi)
Maximum speed	2,880 km/h (1,790 mph) (Mach 2.33)
Guidance system	beam riding
Launch platform	MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21, Su-9

History

The development of the K-5 began in 1951. The first test firings were in 1953. It was tested (but not operationally carried) by the Yakovlev Yak-25. The weapon entered service as the Grushin/Tomashevich (Russian: Грушин/Томашевич) RS-2U (also known as the R-5MS or K-5MS) in 1957. The initial version was matched to the RP-2U (Izumrud-2) 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 (Sapfir) 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 (R-55 in service), which replaced the beam-riding seeker with the semi-active radar homing or infrared seekers of the K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll'). The weapon was 7.8 kg (17 lb) heavier than the K-5, but had a smaller 9.1 kg (20 lb) 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: 2,500 mm (8 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 654 mm (2 ft 1.7 in)
• Diameter: 200 mm (7+7⁄8 in)
• Launch weight: 82.7 kg (182 lb)
• Speed: 800 m/s (2,880 km/h; 1,790 mph)
• Range: 2–6 km (1+1⁄4–3+3⁄4 mi)
• Guidance: beam riding
• Warhead: 13.0 kg (28.7 lb)

Operators

Map with former K-5 operators in red

Current operator

 North Korea

Used on MiG-21PFM.

Former operators

 Soviet Union

Both the Soviet Air Force (VVS) and the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) operated the K-5.

 Albania

The Air Force of the Albanian People's Army received 400 PL-1 from China in 1965 and 1966 for its Shenyang F-5 (MiG-17F) aircraft^[1]

 China

The People's Liberation Army Air Force operated licensed Chinese copy of Kaliningrad K-5 designated as PL-1 (PL: short for Pi Li or Pili, meaning thunderbolt).

 Czechoslovakia

The Czechoslovak Air Force operated RS-2U and RS-2US.

 East Germany

The Air Forces of the National People's Army operated RS-2U on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21PF.

 Hungary

The Hungarian Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs, MiG-21PFs and MiG-21MFs.

Mali

Malian Air Force^[2]

 Poland

The Polish Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-17PMs, MiG-19PMs and MiG-21s.^[3]

 Romania

Locally produced A-90 copy by Electromecanica Ploiesti (1984)

See also

• List of missiles