K-13 missile

The K-13, also known by the NATO reporting name AA-2 Atoll, is a Soviet short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile family developed by NPO Vympel from captured AIM-9B Sidewinder technology. Smithsonian and Missilery.info describe it as an early Cold War design that entered service in the 1960s, with later R-3R and K-13R radar-homing variants broadening the family.

K-13 missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll').jpg

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: NPO Vympel
Type: Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile
Service note: Cold War design; limited service
Designer: OKB-134 Vympel design bureau
Designed: Mid-1950s
Produced: 1960s-1970s
Variants: R-3, R-3S, R-3R, K-13A, K-13R
Developed from: AIM-9B Sidewinder

air defense NATO

Specifications

Guidance: Passive infrared homing
Length: About 2.838 m (R-3S)
Diameter: 127 mm
Weight: About 75.3 kg (R-3S)
Warhead: About 11.3 kg high-explosive fragmentation
Range: About 7.6 km maximum; about 0.9 km minimum

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered service in 1962 as the R-3S; the R-3R entered service in 1967.

Carrier Aircraft

The L-39ZA page says the light combat variant was wired to carry K-13 or R-60 missiles on the outer weapons pylons.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

Aero L-39 Albatros

Jet trainer and light attack aircraft

American Airpower Museum says the L-39ZA was wired to carry K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) missiles on the outer weapons pylons.

Sources: American Airpower Museum L-39ZA Albatros

K-13 missile Images

K-13 missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll').jpg

K-13 missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: AA-2 seeker.jpg

K-13 missile, Short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: K-13 Missile at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Dec 2017.jpg

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Sources

R-3S aircraft missile (K-13, item 310 and 310A)Publisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports K-13 background, development history, service entry, guidance, dimensions, warhead, range, and the R-3S/R-3R family designations. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Missile, Air-to-Air, AA-2 Atoll (Russian: Vympel K-13)Publisher: National Air and Space Museum | Note: Supports K-13 origin, manufacturer, dimensions, and the reverse-engineered Sidewinder history. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 American Airpower Museum L-39ZA AlbatrosPublisher: American Airpower Museum | Note: Supports the L-39ZA light combat variant being wired to carry K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) missiles on the outer weapons pylons. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll').jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the primary K-13 missile image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AA-2 seeker.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a seeker close-up of the AA-2 Atoll / K-13 missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 K-13 Missile at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Dec 2017.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a museum display image of the K-13 missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-23