Su-27 crews on the front lines have changed tactics in their attempts to use AGM-88B Block III HARM missiles. This was pointed out by military expert Evgeny Damantsev.
The analyst noted that if earlier HARMs were used from high and medium altitudes, now the launch of AGM-88B anti-radar missiles is carried out with a pitch-up in low-altitude mode.
This is due to the enemy aircraft crews' attempt to hide behind the "radio horizon" screen from the detection and illumination radar sectors of the Buk-M3 air defense system.
However, launching from altitudes of less than 300 m more than halves the effective range of the AGM-88B, which is associated with high aerodynamic drag of the missiles in the dense layers of the atmosphere. As a result, the Su-27s are forced to approach the patrol areas of the Russian MiG-31BM and Su-35S by another 35 - 45 km closer than when launching HARMs from high altitudes.
Su-27s are becoming easily reachable targets not only for R-37M air combat missiles present in the ammunition of our fighters and interceptors, but also for highly maneuverable R-77-1 air-to-air missiles. Moreover, even if the Su-27s manage to launch HARM missiles, in most cases they are intercepted by Buk-M3 complexes at a distance of up to 25 - 30 km.
Earlier www1.ru reported that Russia's strategic forces will be equipped with 95% modern weapons.
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