K-5 (missile)

K-5
AA-1 Alkali
K-5; AA-1 Alkali
	Su-9

The Kaliningrad K-5 (NATO reporting name AA-1 Alkali), also known as RS-1U or product ShM, was an early Soviet air-to-air missile.

History

The development of the K-5 began in

People's Republic of China developed a copy under the designation PL-1, for use by their J-6

B fighters.

The difficulties associated with

K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll'). The weapon was 7.8 kg (17 lb) heavier than the K-5, but had a smaller 9.1 kg (20 lb) warhead. The K-55 remained in service through about 1977, probably being retired with the last of the Sukhoi Su-9

interceptors.

Specifications (RS-2US / K-5MS)

Length: 2,500 mm (8 ft 2 in)

Wingspan: 654 mm (2 ft 1.7 in)

Diameter: 200 mm (77⁄8 in)

Launch weight: 82.7 kg (182 lb)

Speed: 800 m/s (2,880 km/h; 1,790 mph)

Range: 2–6 km (11⁄4–33⁄4 mi)

Guidance: beam riding
Warhead: 13.0 kg (28.7 lb)

Operators

Current operator

North Korea: Used on MiG-21PFM.

Former operators

Soviet Union: Both the
Soviet Air Force (VVS) and the Soviet Air Defence Forces
(PVO) operated the K-5.
China: The People's Liberation Army Air Force operated licensed Chinese copy of Kaliningrad K-5 designated as PL-1 (PL: short for Pi Li or Pili, meaning thunderbolt).
Czechoslovakia: The
Czechoslovakian Air Force
operated RS-2U and RS-2US.
Hungary: The Hungarian Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs, MiG-21PFs and MiG-21MFs.
Mali: Malian Air Force^[1]
Poland: The Polish Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-17PMs, MiG-19PMs and MiG-21s, still in use as practice target.^[2]
Romania: Locally produced A-90 copy by Electromecanica Ploiesti (1984)