- Side
- Iraq
ACIG's Iraqi air-to-air victory table lists Iraqi MiG-23ML engagements in the war using R-60MK against an Iranian F-14A on 11 August 1984 and R-60M against an Iranian AH-1J on 25 June 1988.
Munitions
R-60 missile
Also known as
- AA-8 Aphid
- AA-8 Aphid-A
- AA-8 Aphid-B
- AA-8 Aphid-C
- Izdeliye 62
- Izdeliye 62M
- K-62M
- R-60K
- R-60M
- R-60MK
- R-60KM
- R-60MU
- UZ-62
- URZ-60
The R-60, known to NATO as the AA-8 Aphid, is a Soviet short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile developed by Molniya for close-in fighter combat and export fighter armament. Specialist air-combat records document Iraqi R-60-family use during the Iran-Iraq War, while Ukrainian intelligence-linked reporting documents Russian Geran-2/Shahed drones adapted to carry R-60 missiles in the Russia-Ukraine War.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- Russia
Ukrainska Pravda, citing Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the War&Sanctions portal, reported a Russian Geran-2 UAV variant equipped with an R-60 missile to threaten Ukrainian helicopters and aircraft intercepting Russian UAVs.
Role detailsProfile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Built by
- Molniya (later Vympel)
- Type
- Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile
- Service note
- Late 1960s design; entered service in the 1970s
- Designed
- Late 1960s
- Produced
- 1973 onward for R-60; R-60M production listed from 1982
Specifications
- Guidance
- Infrared homing; R-60 uses an uncooled OGS-60TI Komar seeker, while R-60M uses a cooled OGS-75 Komar-M seeker
- Weight
- 43.5 kg for R-60; 44 kg for R-60M/R-60MK in listed references
- Length
- 2.096 m for R-60; 2.138 m for R-60M/R-60MK
- Diameter
- 0.12 m
- Fin span
- 0.39 m
- Range
- R-60 listed at 7 km maximum and 4 km practical; R-60M/R-60MK listed at 10 km maximum and 7 km practical
- Minimum engagement range
- 250 m in Weaponsystems.net data
- Warhead
- Continuous-rod; 2.7-3 kg for R-60 and 3.5 kg for R-60M/R-60MK
- Fuze options
- Strizh optical fuze on R-60/R-60M; Kolibri or Kolibri-M active radar fuze on radar-fuzed variants
- Propulsion
- Single-stage solid-propellant rocket motor; RedStar.gr identifies PRD-259 for R-60M/MK
- Speed
- Mach 2.5 in Weaponsystems.net data; RedStar.gr lists 2,655 km/h for R-60M/MK
- Launch altitude
- 30 m to 20 km
- Design limit
- R-60 listed at 42 g in flight; R-60M listed at 47 g in flight
Variants
The R-60 family uses AA-8 Aphid NATO reporting names, Soviet article indexes, optical or radar fuze distinctions, and inert training rounds across the original and improved R-60M lines.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| R-60 | Original production missile | Original R-60 production version, associated with the AA-8 Aphid-A reporting name and Strizh optical fuze. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60 |
| R-60K | Radar-fuzed original variant | Original R-60 fitted with the Kolibri-M radar fuze while otherwise remaining similar to the baseline missile. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60 |
| UZ-62 / URZ-60 | Inert training version | Training version of the original R-60 family with an inert warhead. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60 |
| R-60M | Improved production missile | Improved 1982 production version, associated with AA-8 Aphid-B, a cooled wider-angle seeker, a 3.5 kg continuous-rod warhead, and Strizh optical fuze. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, RedStar.gr R-60 M/MK |
| R-60MK | Export radar-fuzed R-60M | Export R-60M-family missile; sources identify the R-60MK export designation and Kolibri-M active radar fuze. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, RedStar.gr R-60 M/MK |
| R-60KM | Radar-fuzed R-60M-family variant | R-60M-family variant using the same Kolibri-M radar fuze named for the original R-60K. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60 |
| R-60MU | Inert R-60M training version | Training version of the improved R-60M family with an inert warhead. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60 |
Carrier Aircraft
Reference sources identify the R-60 family as compatible with Soviet fighter, attack, strike, and helicopter platforms; this section links only carrier types already represented by public catalog records.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Jet trainer and light attack aircraft | American Airpower Museum says the L-39ZA was wired to carry R-60 missiles on the outer weapons pylons. |
 | Supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft | Weaponsystems.net lists the MiG-21 among fighter aircraft that used the R-60, while Polot says MiG-21 SMT aircraft were used for early R-60 launch work. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Variable-sweep fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft | Weaponsystems.net lists the MiG-23 as an R-60 fighter platform, and Polot describes the MiG-23 as the missile's first carrier after early MiG-21 SMT and MiG-23M launches. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | High-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft | Weaponsystems.net identifies the MiG-25 among long-range fighters that could use the R-60, and Polot lists the MiG-25 among aircraft equipped with R-60M missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Air defense fighter | Weaponsystems.net says the R-60 and MiG-29 combination became a Soviet aviation icon, and Polot lists the MiG-29 among aircraft equipped with R-60 missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Long-range interceptor | Weaponsystems.net names the MiG-31 among long-range fighters that could use the R-60, and Polot lists the MiG-31 among aircraft equipped with R-60M missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber | Weaponsystems.net describes the R-60 as used by ground-attack aircraft including the Su-17, and its R-60 image caption shows the missile fitted to a Su-17-series fighter. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Variable-sweep-wing fighter-bomber | Weaponsystems.net lists the Su-22 among R-60-capable aircraft, and Polot lists the Su-22 among aircraft equipped with R-60M missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Variable-geometry tactical bomber and strike aircraft | Weaponsystems.net names the Su-24 among ground-attack aircraft that could use the R-60, and Polot lists the Su-24 among aircraft equipped with R-60M missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Ground-attack aircraft | Weaponsystems.net names the Su-25 among ground-attack aircraft that could use the R-60, and Polot lists the Su-25 among aircraft equipped with R-60M missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Air-superiority fighter | Weaponsystems.net identifies the Su-27 among long-range fighters that could use the R-60, and Polot lists the Su-27 among aircraft equipped with R-60M missiles. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Polot R-60 guided missile |
 | Attack helicopter and armed assault transport | Weaponsystems.net says Mi-24 helicopters may use the R-60, and Deagel also lists the missile as available for the Mi-24 attack and assault helicopter. Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, Deagel R-60 |
Adapted Drone Launch Platform
Russian Geran-2/Shahed-136 adaptation reporting documents the R-60 mounted on a UAV-borne aviation launch rail rather than a normal aircraft pylon.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | One-way attack UAV adapted as an air-to-air missile carrier | Ukrainska Pravda, citing Ukrainian Defence Intelligence and War&Sanctions, reported a Geran-2 variant fitted with an R-60 missile to threaten Ukrainian aircraft and helicopters intercepting Russian UAVs. Sources: Ukrainska Pravda Russian Geran R-60 |
Timeline
R-60 missile Key Events
Molniya develops the R-60
Specialist references place R-60 development in the late 1960s by the Molniya design bureau as a compact short-range successor to the older K-13/AA-2 class.
Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60
R-60 production begins
Weaponsystems.net lists R-60 production from 1973, preceding the widely cited 1974 service-entry date.
Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60
R-60 enters service
Reference sources list 1974 service entry for the R-60 short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile.
Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60, RedStar.gr R-60 M/MK
R-60M improvement enters production
The improved R-60M line is listed from 1982 with a cooled seeker, wider target angle, heavier warhead, and improved fuze options.
Sources: Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60
Geran-2 R-60 adaptation documented
Ukrainska Pravda reported Ukrainian Defence Intelligence documentation of a Russian Geran-2 UAV variant equipped with an R-60 missile to threaten Ukrainian aircraft intercepting Russian drones.
Sources: Ukrainska Pravda Russian Geran R-60
Media
R-60 missile Videos
R-60 missile Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60Publisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports the R-60's Soviet origin, short-range air-to-air missile type, Molniya developer, late-1960s development, 1974 service entry, production dates, AA-8/Izdeliye designations, variants, dimensions, seeker types, fuze options, warheads, range, speed, launch altitude, and g limits. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ODIN R-60 AA-8 AphidPublisher: U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command | Note: Government reference page supporting the R-60/AA-8 Aphid identity as a Russian short-range infrared-homing air-to-air missile and its light launch-weight class. | Accessed: 2026-07-03RedStar.gr R-60 M/MKPublisher: RedStar.gr | Note: Supports R-60M/R-60MK identity, AA-8 Aphid reporting name, K-62M alias, Molniya/Vympel designer attribution, 1974 service entry, R-60MK export designation, R-60M/MK dimensions, weights, warhead weight, speed, launch range, flight altitude, PRD-259 motor, and infrared guidance. | Accessed: 2026-07-03AA-8 AphidPublisher: Military Periscope | Note: Supports the R-60 as a short-range infrared homing dogfighting missile developed for the MiG-23 and mounted on several types of Russian aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-03American Airpower Museum L-39ZA AlbatrosPublisher: American Airpower Museum | Note: Supports the L-39ZA light combat variant being wired to carry K-13 or R-60 missiles on the outer weapons pylons. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Polot R-60 guided missilePublisher: Polot.net | Note: Supports early R-60 launch work with MiG-21 SMT and MiG-23M aircraft, MiG-23 first-carrier context, and listed R-60/R-60M aircraft including MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-17, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, and Su-27. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Deagel R-60Publisher: Deagel | Note: Supports broad R-60 platform context including fixed-wing Soviet aircraft and availability for the Mi-24 attack and assault helicopter. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ACIG Iraqi Air-to-Air Victories since 1967Publisher: ACIG.org | Note: Supports R-60MK and R-60M missiles used by Iraqi MiG-23ML aircraft during the 1980 Iran-Iraq War in listed air-to-air engagements. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Ukrainska Pravda Russian Geran R-60Publisher: Ukrainska Pravda | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War Russian fielding context: reports R-60 missiles fitted to Russian Geran-2 UAVs to threaten Ukrainian aircraft and helicopters intercepting Russian UAVs. | Accessed: 2026-07-03R-60.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the primary R-60 image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Aphid Missile.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the R-60 diagram image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03R-60 in Museum of technique 2016-08-16.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the museum display image of the R-60. | Accessed: 2026-07-03