Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the medium-range sam category.
01 / Overview
R-73
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1982–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MEDIUM-RANGE SAM · COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the medium-range sam category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- System TypeAir-to-air missile
- Service Entry Year1984
- Engagement Layer (SHORAD/Med/Long)Visual-range
- MobileYes
- In ServiceYes
◈Effector / Missile5MOD.5
- Missile / EffectorR-73 / R-74
- Maximum Range40 km
- Minimum Range0.3 km
- Missile Speed (Mach)2.5 Mach
- Warhead TypeHigh-explosive fragmentation
▣Guidance5MOD.5
- Guidance TypeAll-aspect infrared homing
- Fire-and-ForgetYes
- Command GuidanceNo
- Track-Via-MissileNo
- All-WeatherNo
◇Radar & Sensors3MOD.3
◆Gun (if applicable)1MOD.1
▤Mobility & Deployment2MOD.2
- PlatformFixed-wing aircraft and helicopters
- AmphibiousNo
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Variants7
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1982Production started
- 1997Sale: United States (100 units)
- 1998First deployment: Eritrean–Ethiopian War
44
years in service
40
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
R-73 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win·100% loss
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
R-73SALES1records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 100 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
MEDIUM-RANGE SAM RANKING Medium-Range SAM · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
20MEDIUM-RANGE SAM1COLD WAR · MEDIUM-RANGE SAM439RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · MEDIUM-RANGE SAM
ⓘ Rankings are within theMedium-Range SAMcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Omni-directional protection provided by a missile system, enabling targets to be engaged from any angle.
Fire-and-forget refers to a missile guidance system where the missile guides itself to its target after launch, requiring no further input from the operator.
Mobile: a capability indicating the MANPADS can be transported and operated by a single soldier or small team, enabling rapid deployment and relocation.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources