Vympel R-37M / RVV-BD

Also known as

R-37M
RVV-BD
AA-13 Axehead

The Vympel R-37M, exported as RVV-BD, is a Russian very-long-range air-to-air missile for engaging aircraft and cruise-missile targets from fighter and interceptor aircraft. Rosoboronexport lists inertial navigation with radio correction and active radar terminal homing, while RUSI documents Russian combat air patrols using R-37M missiles from MiG-31BM and Su-35S aircraft in Ukraine.

Vympel R-37M / RVV-BD, Very-long-range air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: MAKS Airshow 2013 RVV-BD image

Use in Conflicts

Side: Russia
Role: Very-long-range air-to-air missile

RUSI reported Russian MiG-31BM and Su-35S combat air patrols using R-37M missiles to threaten Ukrainian aircraft at very long range during the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Russia
Built by: VympelTactical Missiles Corporation
Type: Very-long-range air-to-air missile
Service note: Post-Soviet Russian long-range air-to-air missile in service during the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present.
Designed: Post-Soviet modernization of the R-37 long-range missile family

air-to-air guided missile radar-guided air defense

Specifications

Guidance: Inertial navigation with radio correction and active radar homing in the terminal phase
Launch weight: Up to 510 kg
Warhead: 60 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead
Range: Up to 200 km export range listed for RVV-BD
Target set: Aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and remotely piloted vehicles listed by Rosoboronexport
Launch platforms: Documented from MiG-31BM and Su-35S combat air patrols in RUSI reporting

Carrier Aircraft

RUSI identifies the R-37M as a very-long-range air-to-air missile used from Russian fighter and interceptor patrols over Ukraine.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

MiG-31, Long-range interceptor with MiG-31K air-launched ballistic missile carrier variant, Aircraft & UAVs

Long-range interceptor

RUSI reported MiG-31BM combat air patrols using R-37M missiles against Ukrainian aircraft.

Sources: RUSI: Russian Air War and Ukrainian Requirements for Air Defence

Su-35, Single-seat multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVs

Multirole fighter

RUSI reported Su-35S combat air patrols alongside MiG-31BM patrols using R-37M missiles in Ukraine.

Sources: RUSI: Russian Air War and Ukrainian Requirements for Air Defence

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Sources

Rosoboronexport: RVV-BD Long-Range Air-to-Air Guided MissilePublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Supports RVV-BD identity, target set, guidance description, warhead, launch weight, and export-range specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-30 RUSI: Russian Air War and Ukrainian Requirements for Air DefencePublisher: Royal United Services Institute | Note: Direct Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present source for Russian MiG-31BM and Su-35S combat air patrols using R-37M missiles against Ukrainian aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-30 MAKS Airshow 2013 RVV-BD imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing source for an RVV-BD missile displayed at MAKS 2013. | Accessed: 2026-06-30