The R-73, NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer, is a short-range infrared-homing air-to-air missile that entered service in the 1980s. It became famous for changing Western assessments of Soviet close-combat missile capability.
R-73 combined high maneuverability with wide seeker angles and helmet-mounted sight integration on aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-27. That allowed pilots to shoot at targets far from the aircraft nose, a major advantage in close-range air combat.
The R-73's performance helped spur Western urgency behind missiles such as AIM-9X and ASRAAM upgrades. Its continued export and use show how a strong short-range missile design can remain tactically relevant for decades.
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