Ukrainian MiG‑29 expertly dodges Russian missile barrage
The war in Ukraine marks the first conflict in decades in which the involved nations possess similar military capabilities. Numerous recordings now depict situations that were once known only to a select few. One such scenario involves a fighter jet successfully outmaneuvering an incoming missile. We delve into the intricacies of this aerial battle.
The video below showcases a Ukrainian MiG-29 evading hits from Russian air-to-air missiles or an anti-aircraft defense system. It's important to emphasize that every missile has a limit where it can be outmaneuvered.
Duel: Aircraft vs. air-to-air/anti-aircraft missiles — an extremely difficult fight for survival
Each missile is equipped with a rocket engine, sometimes two, that operates for a limited duration (usually 10 seconds or less). Once the engines burn out, the missile travels toward its target in a ballistic trajectory. If the aircraft successfully maneuvers, the missile may no longer possess the energy needed to launch another attack.
Missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM or the Russian R-77 Vympel, despite having a declared range of over 62 miles, are most effective at shooting down a fighter jet at much shorter distances (the exact date is unknown, but it's likely to be half or less of the declared range).
However, the pilot must execute specific maneuvers at the right speed and timing. The greater the speed difference, the more the missile has to turn with a force multiplier that the aircraft can withstand. If this difference is too significant, the missile will miss its target, as shown in the video, or it could even disintegrate.
Critical support for the pilot includes systems that detect radar illumination or incoming missiles through optoelectronic detectors operating in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum. These systems provide information about the missile's position and even its distance.
The only exceptions are short-range missiles like the R-73 Vympel, IRIS-T, or AIM-9 Sidewinder, which usually have a range of 12-19 miles, and their rocket engines operate for most of the flight. These missiles can conduct several attacks due to their capacity to regain energy, effectively ensuring they hit their targets. Additionally, some missiles, like the IRIS-T, are designed by manufacturers to simulate attack profiles, conserving energy for optimal moments while the targeted aircraft loses energy during evasive maneuvers.
Another innovation is missiles equipped with jet engines, such as the European Meteor. Although they are in the same format as regular medium-range missiles, they contain a larger rocket fuel load because they do not require an oxidizer in their structure (oxygen needed for combustion is drawn from the atmosphere). This allows for longer engine operation with thrust regulation, significantly extending the so-called "No Escape Zone" (NEZ), when the missile has its greatest maneuverability and can, for instance, attempt another attack if the first one fails.
