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Nimrod (missile)larger figure on 0 of 2
R-37 (missile)larger figure on 2 of 2
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Length
Single sourceLength : 265 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics · Length : 265 cm
Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Nimrod (missile) | R-37 (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | — | Mach 6+[source] |
| Role | long-range air-to-surface missile[source] | Russian very long-range air-to-air missile[source] |
| Source measurement | Nimrod has a semi-active laser guidance system that operates day or night. Its flight trajectory can be set below obscuring cloud layers, while a forward reconnaissance scout team uses a laser designator to direct it from up to 26 km (16 mi).[source]Nimrod (missile) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Nimrod allows a gunner to pre-select a flight trajectory mode. This can be direct trajectory, high cruise trajectory or low cruise trajectory , the cruise altitude being constant and between 300–1,500 m (980–4,920 ft).[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage |
4.06 metres (13 ft 4 in)[source]
Wingspan
Single source72 centimetres (28 in)[source]
conventional or thermonuclear
Single source60 kg (135 lb), conventional or thermonuclear[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
The gimballed and stabilised seeker head acquires, tracks and homes in on its target using localised proportional navigation. It is said to have a view angle of more than 30°. The seeker has a search area 5 km (3.1 mi) wide and deep. In the terminal flight phase, the weapon adopts a dive angle of approximately 45° to strike an armoured target on the thinner, more vulnerable upper surfaces.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The missile is stored in a sealed canister which also acts as the launcher. Total weight of the missile and canister is 150 kg (330 lb). It has five main sections: seeker, guidance and control, warhead, solid-propellant rocket motor, and servo. It is roll-stabilised in flight. Time to come into action at a launch site is less than 3 minutes; there is no need to survey the site for alignment or levelling, nor does it require a direct line of sight to a target. The weapon can be fired in single-round, ripple, or salvo modes.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Effective range : 300 - 36,000 meters[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Length : 265 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Diameter : 17 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Body : 18 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Span 40 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Weight : 100 kg[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Speed : ~1000 km/h or Mach 0.8[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Nimrod 2 – A dual guidance, laser and Global Positioning System (GPS), homing missile, with a range of 26 km (16 mi), and a mobile launcher. The warhead is 14 kg (31 lb), and the missile supports various warheads for a variety of targets. This missile is well suited to rapid response and for coastal defence.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Nimrod 3 – An extended variant of Nimrod 2. The missile has a range of 50 km (31 mi) with 50 kg (110 lb) warhead. It supports various warheads for a wide range of targets, and has a mobile launcher.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Nimrod SR – A short-range (8 km (5.0 mi)) variant that can be fired from ground and airborne platforms.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
According to Janes there are two variants, the R-37 and the R-37M ; the latter conceived as having a jettisonable rocket booster that increases the range to "300–400 km" (160–220 nm). In 2023, Rosoboronexport introduced the export version of the R-37M, designated RVV-BD . It has a launch range of up to 200 kilometres (120 mi; 110 nmi) and maximum altitude of 25 kilometres (82,000 ft) with a 60 kilograms (130 lb) warhead . The missile is compatible with Sukhoi Su-57 , Sukhoi Su-30 , Sukhoi Su-35 , Mikoyan MiG-31BM and Mikoyan MiG-35 .[source]R-37 (missile) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Mid-body strakes enhance lift and hence increase range. According to Defence Today , the range depends on the flight profile, from 80 nautical miles (150 km) for a direct shot to 215 nautical miles (398 km) for a cruise glide profile.[source]R-37 (missile) · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The R-37M designation has since been used for a modernized variant of the missile, also known as RVV-BD (Raketa Vozduh-Vozduh Bolshoy Dalnosty, or Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile). R-37M's range exceeds 200 km, and it is capable of hypersonic speeds (~Mach 5). It will be carried by the modernized MiG-31BM interceptors and Su-35S and Su-57 multirole fighters.[source]R-37 (missile) · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The missile can attack targets at altitudes of 15 metres (49 ft)–25 kilometres (82,000 ft), guided semi-actively or actively through the Agat 9B-1388 system.[source]R-37 (missile) · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The missile was designed in the early 1980s and first flown in 1989. Testing of the R-37 continued through the 1990s, and in 1994, a trial round scored a kill at a range of 162 nautical miles (300 km). However, the program appears to have been dropped around 1998 on grounds of cost. Work on the missile appears to have restarted in late 2006, as part of the MiG-31BM program to update the Foxhound with a new radar and ground attack capability.[source]R-37 (missile) · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 2018, the R-37M had finished its operational validation tests. Zvezda TV reports have recorded the Su-35 carrying the R-37, apparently as part of an air combat loadout. In this configuration, the craft carries two R-73s in the central wing pylon, two R-77s slung underneath the engine nacelles, and two R-37s on the hardpoints between the engines, with an option to carry a few more missiles, such as a Kh-31 anti-radiation missile .[source]R-37 (missile) · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The US Defense Intelligence Agency revealed in a 2025 report that Russia is fielding a nuclear-armed air-to-air missile. While the report does not mention any specific missile, analysts believe that it refers to a nuclear-capable variant of the R-37M missile.[source]R-37 (missile) · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The R-37M has, since October 2022, been the main threat against the Ukrainian Air Force . During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , MiG-31 aircraft have reportedly shot down several Ukrainian aircraft, mainly by using the long range R-37. By remaining at high speed and high altitude, MiG-31s have been able to operate virtually unopposed due to Ukrainian fighters lacking range, speed, or altitude necessary to engage the MiG-31. The Ukrainian Air Force lacked fire and forget missiles until the introduction of the AMRAAM and MICA. They relied on the R-27 missiles, both the R-27R and R-27ER. The Ukrainian pilot must illuminate the Russian aircraft with their radar to guide the missile to the target. Russian pilots firing active radar, fire and forget, R-77 give the Russian pilots the ability to launch their missiles and then take evasive action. Ukrainian pilots were forced to "exploit ground clutter and terrain-masking to get close enough to fire before being engaged".[source]R-37 (missile) · History / Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) states that in October some six R-37Ms were being fired at the Ukrainian Air Force a day. The Su-35S is also used as a carrier for the R-37M. Four MiG-31 were also deployed to Crimea at the Belbek Air Base in mid 2022.[source]R-37 (missile) · History / Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In February 2023, Ukraine obtained wreckage of a R-37M which would be of interest to Ukraine and Western countries.[source]R-37 (missile) · History / Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage According to Ukrainian pilots, the R-37M isn't achieving a lot of "hard kills", the destruction of actual Ukrainian aircraft. However, their launch forces pilots to abandon their current mission and take evasive action. Ukrainian pilots believe that the only defence is for their allies to supply them with F-16 fighter jets and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. While it won't close the distance, Ukrainian pilots hope that it will push back the effective range of missiles like the R-37. However, according to a Ukrainian official, Ukraine is looking for opportunities to modernize the F-16 Block 20 MLU fighter jets planned for transfer. Early generation AN/APG-66 radars of older F-16 Block 20 MLU only have similar range to Ukrainian MiG-29s and possess no significant advantage compared to current Ukrainian fighters and both are inferior to the radar of current Russian fighters used in the war such as Irbis-E and N110M Bars-M .[source]R-37 (missile) · History / Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Indian Air Force : As of April, 2026, it is reported that Russia has approved the export of roughly 300 R-37M missiles for the Indian Air Force (equipped with SU-30MKI ), with a range of more than 350 km. As per the reports, the value of the deal is approximately US$1.2 billion, and the deliveries will begin within twelve to eighteen months from the deal signing.[source]R-37 (missile) · Future operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage |
| Country of origin | Israel[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 5, cell 2; revision 1349150138; retrieved 2026-10-02 | — |
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| Type | — | Very long-range air-to-air missile[source] |
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| Place of origin | — | Russia[source] |
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| In service | — | 2019–present[source] |
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| Used by | — | Russian Aerospace Forces Algerian Air Force[source] |
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| Designer | — | Tactical Missiles Corporation[source] |
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| Designed | — | 1980s[source] |
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| Manufacturer | — | Vympel NPO[source] |
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| Developed from | — | R-33[source] |
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| Produced | — | Since 1985 (Prototype) 2019–present (Operational version)[source] |
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| Variants | — | R-37M RVV-BD (Export version)[source] |
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| Warhead | — | HE, fragmentation[source] |
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| Propellant | — | Dual-pulse solid rocket motor[source] |
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| Guidance system | — | INS + Active radar homing[source] |
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| Launch platform | — | Su-57 , Su-35S , Su-30 , MiG-31[source] |
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| Reported operators |
| — |
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