Missile R-40 (AA-6 Acrid)

The AA-6 Acrid, designated R-40 in Russia, was a long-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It was one of the first Soviet missiles capable of engaging targets beyond visual range and served to counter the American AIM-54 Phoenix missile carried by the F-14 Tomcat.

The R-40 Acrid entered service in the early 1970s arming MiG-25 Foxbat interceptors. It utilized semi-active radar homing requiring the launch aircraft to illuminate the target until missile impact. Acrid was capable of ranges exceeding 60 miles when fired at high supersonic speeds from the MiG-25.

The missile had limited capabilities compared to the later active radar guided R-33 and R-37 missiles. But it gave Soviet interceptors their first true look-down/shoot-down BVR air-to-air combat capability. The long range posed a serious threat to American bombers as well as escorting fighters like the F-4 Phantom.

The AA-6 was progressively retired during the 1990s as more advanced Soviet BVR missiles were introduced. But it served its role of providing long range intercept capability for the high-speed MiG-25 during the Cold War. The R-40 was an interim Soviet solution while more sophisticated missile technologies were still in development.