K-5 (missile)

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 1951. The first test firings were in 1953. It was tested (but not operationally carried) by the Yakovlev Yak-25. The weapon entered service as the Grushin/Tomashevich () RS-2U (also known as the R-5MS or K-5MS) in 1957. The initial version was matched to the RP-2U (Izumrud-2) radar used on the MiG-17PFU, MiG-19PM. An improved variant, K-5M or RS-2US in PVO service, entered production in 1959, matched to the RP-9/RP-9U (TsD-30) radar of the Sukhoi Su-9. The People's Republic of China developed a copy under the designation PL-1, for use by their J-6A fighters.

The difficulties associated with beam-riding guidance, particularly in a single-seat fighter aircraft, were substantial, making the 'Alkali' primarily a short-range anti-bomber missile. Around 1967 the K-5 was replaced by the K-55 (R-55 in service), which replaced the beam-riding seeker with the semi-active radar homing or infrared seekers of the K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll'). The weapon was heavier than the K-5, but had a smaller warhead. The K-55 remained in service until about 1977, probably being retired with the last of the Sukhoi Su-9 interceptors.

Specifications (RS-2US / K-5MS) Length: Wingspan: Diameter: Launch weight: Speed: 800 m/s () Range: Guidance: beam riding Warhead:

Operators

Current operator Used on MiG-21PFM.

Former operators Both the Soviet Air Force (VVS) and the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) operated the K-5. The Air Force of the Albanian People's Army received 400 PL-1 from China in 1965 and 1966 for its Shenyang F-5 (MiG-17F) aircraft Used by the Bulgarian Air Force as late as December 1984 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). Used by the Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force as late as December 1984 The Czechoslovak Air Force operated RS-2U and RS-2US. The Air Forces of the National People's Army operated RS-2U on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21PF. The Hungarian Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs, MiG-21PFs and MiG-21MFs. Used by the Iraqi Air Force as late as December 1984 Malian Air Force The Polish Air Force operated RS-2US on MiG-19PMs and MiG-21s. Remained in service as late as December 1984 Locally produced A-90 copy by Electromecanica Ploiesti (1984)

K-5 (missile)

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