Ukraine Tests Upgraded R-60 Missiles for Air Defense Systems

Ukraine is testing upgraded R-60 air-to-air missiles.

A representative of the Center of Innovative Technologies Program shared this with Militarnyi, commenting on the first results.

The homing heads on the missiles have been upgraded.

“The first test has already been conducted. From the ground, the missile can hit targets at a distance of up to 6.5 km,” the company stated.

During modernization of the R-60MK and other missile versions, analog components were replaced with digital ones, significantly increasing the sensitivity of the outdated infrared homing heads.

In addition, the missile is being adapted for launch from ground-based launchers. This will enable effective use of Soviet-era missiles still in service and stored in Ukrainian arsenals.

In particular, the Center of Innovative Technologies Program has developed a DRAGON ground-based launcher for R-60 missiles.

The DRAGON launcher is equipped with three air-to-air missiles with infrared homing heads.

The system can be deployed within 15 minutes and operate in active mode for up to eight hours or remain in standby mode for up to 14 days.

The R-60 used in the DRAGON system is a Soviet small-sized short-range air-to-air guided missile developed in the late 1960s.

It is equipped with an infrared homing head that captures the thermal radiation of aircraft or helicopter engines and is designed to engage maneuvering aerial targets at short ranges.

In Ukraine, the missile has been modernized and adapted for new roles, including use in ground-based systems.