I have just returned from a short vacation in Crimea.

I spoke to a former PVO officer from Belbek with experience maintaining the Su-15, MiG-23, MiG-25 and Su-27. He confirmed that the R-27R radio antennae are in the fins and that the R-27T does not use radio correction. The R-40T and R-24T, however, do use it.

The reason for removing the radio correction from the R-27T was partly because of advances in enemy radio electronic countermeasures. Experience showed that the most success was accomplished by making unobserved attacks from the rear using heat-seeking missiles. Radio-correction signals can be jammed and require use of the radar which alerts the enemy aircraft to the attack.

The R-27T is therefore optimized for range of direct pursuit. The R-73 is optimized for the maneuvering dogfight. They do not contradict in role. The difference is whether or not the target has been alerted.

Hope this helps,

-SK