R-60 missile

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 defense. Reference sources describe it as a lightweight, highly maneuverable missile that entered service in the 1970s and remained in use with export operators, with later R-60M-family improvements.

R-60 missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: R-60.jpg

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
Variants: R-60, R-60K, R-60M, R-60KM, UZ-62 / UZR-60

air-to-airinfraredmissile NATO

Specifications

Guidance: Infrared homing
Weight: 43.5 kg
Length: 2.096 m
Diameter: 0.12 m
Range: 7 km maximum; about 4 km practical
Warhead: 2.7-3 kg continuous-rod
Speed: Mach 2.5

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered service in 1974 and remains in use with some export operators.

Carrier Aircraft

The L-39ZA light combat variant is documented as a carrier for 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 R-60 missiles on the outer weapons pylons.

Sources: American Airpower Museum L-39ZA Albatros

R-60 missile Videos

R60 APHID: The USSR's Radioactive Dogfight Missile Was The Right Missile At The Wrong Time

R-60 missile Images

R-60 missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: R-60.jpg

R-60 missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Aphid Missile.svg

R-60 missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: R-60.jpg

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Sources

Weaponsystems.net Molniya R-60Publisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports the R-60's Soviet origin, short-range air-to-air missile type, developer, service entry, production dates, dimensions, weight, guidance, and range. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AA-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: 2026-06-23 American Airpower Museum L-39ZA AlbatrosPublisher: American Airpower Museum | Note: Supports the L-39ZA light combat variant being wired to carry K-13 or R-60 missiles on the outer weapons pylons. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 R-60.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the primary R-60 image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Aphid Missile.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the R-60 diagram image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 R-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: 2026-06-23