History

     The history of GosMKB "Vympel" began on November 18, 1949 with the reorganization of Plant No. 43. A group of designers and production workers of the design bureau, headed by I.I. Toropov, were transferred to the premises of the former Sukhoi aviation plant in Tushino. The new enterprise was called Plant of Experimental Weaponry No. 134. The main activities included designing and manufacturing of pilot modules of shooting and bombing aircraft armaments.
     Using the experience, gained during World War II, the specialists of the design bureau spent less than a year to create PV-20, the first domestic system of fire protection, mounted on the TU-4 bombing aircraft. The system comprised sight and machine gun installations and remote control units. In 1950 Ivan Toropov and other leading specialists of the enterprise were awarded the State (Stalin) Prize of the USSR for the development of PV-20. Many designers were decorated with the government awards.
     In 1953 the work on the PBD, MVN and BK standard suspension units of bombing equipment was successfully completed. In 1955 the bombing systems for  the Tu-16 and Tu-95 - type aircraft were launched into production.
      Alongside with the development of machine gun equipment the specialists of the design bureau started a new project, i.e. the development of “air-to-air” missiles. The 1950s-1960s saw rapid development of jet fighting and bombing aircraft. The designers had to face a number of challenges, resulting from higher altitude and flight velocity. The aircraft armaments experienced much greater aerodynamic load, and their fighting efficiency reduced. As a result, Ivan Toropov made a decision to design a new type of armaments, i.e. air missiles.
     In order to achieve the goal, a number of experimental and design units was set up. Moreover, the designer general was allowed to attract the specialists, who former designed the conventional aircraft armaments, to work on the development of missiles and surface-to-air missile systems. Over a hundred of young specialists (graduates of technical universities) also took an active part in the project.
     The pilot research on “air-to-air” missiles started in the design bureau in 1954.  At the same time the design bureau was ordered to create the K-7 missile for the T-3 high-speed interceptor (the Sukhoi Production Association). In order to gain some experience the pilot production was set up to manufacture the K-5 “air-to-air” small-range missiles. They were developed in Design Bureau No. 1 in 1951-1952 to equip MIG-15, which was at that time a unique jet fighter.
     The set of the K-7 missile modifications (K-7L, K-7LV, K-7M, K-7ST, K-7S-3) with the PRD-21 engine was made for various purposes and conditions.
     At that time the specialists of Plant No. 134 considered the issue of  creating a missile of modular design, that later became a famous feature of the enterprise. Under certain circumstances further development of the K-7 missile was stopped. But the experience gained was valuable during the work on the other projects. Many theoretical materials and technical facilities laid the foundation for the developments in the specific fields of missile production. Thus, the development of the RGS-56, 57, 58, 59 radar homing heads for “air-to-air” missiles begun in 1955.
     Simultaneously, the electronic department was reorganized to comprise several subdivisions of primary power supply, electric power and gas-dynamic equipment. Later the hydraulic subdivision was set up.
     K-13 was the first “air-to-air” missile, made by the enterprise. The history of its development is rather interesting. In autumn, 1958 during the Chinese-Taiwanese armed conflict AIM-9 Sidewinder, the US guided “air-to-air” small-range missile, came to the scene. By the decision of the presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist party, a group of specialists, consisting of 31 people out of 17 organizations, headed by I.Toropov, was sent to China to study the fragments of the missiles. At the end of November there was a government resolution on manufacturing the analogues of the article.
     The work was completed in less than a year. The first pilot test of the K-13 missiles was performed on October 21,1959; the test launch to destroy a guided target (MiG-15) was performed on December 1, 1959. In the 1960s the full-scale production of the missile under the name of P-3S, began. The missile was mounted on MiG-19PG, MiG-21, MiG-23, Su-20, Yak-28P, R-3S platforms. In 1960-1965 the modifications of the missile (R-13R, R-13M, R-13M1) were manufactured in Czechoslovakia, Poland, India, China, and entered service with the armies of these countries.
     In 1958, simultaneous to R-3S development, another project was being implemented, i.e. the development of the first domestic homing missile 3M9 as part of the “Cube” antiaircraft missile system, used to protect the bodies of troops from fighters, flying at low altitudes. 3M9 was the first missile, solely designed at the enterprise without using any prototypes. The specialists of the enterprise pioneered in the use of a new type of engine, i.e. the ram rocket engine.
     In 1961 Andrei L. Lyapin was appointed designer general of the design bureau. The ”air-to-air” missile modifications - R-ÇR, R-23, R-24, R-73, R-27R, R-27Ò, R-33 were made under his leadership.
     During 1961 the 3M9 missile was adopted and launched into serial production. It turned to be very so good by its design and technical characteristics, that for over 30 years it has been in the inventory of the Russian army and armies of more than 25 countries as a part of the 3RK antiaircraft missile system ( the Kub).  In 1958-1983 over 7 modifications of the 3M9 missile were made for the Kub and Buk-1 systems.
     In spite of the rapid development of missile armaments, the collective of the enterprise continued to upgrade shooting and bombing equipment for domestic combat aircrafts. In 1963 the development of the BV-PLO bombing system for the Be-12 anti-ship aircraft was completed. In two years the BV-PLO bombing system was developed for the Ka-25 helicopter and IL-38 aircraft; the SPV-90F-037 shooting system was made for the Tu-95 aircraft. The R-3R missile was finalized in 1965 and adopted in 1967.
     In 1967 Plant of Experimental Weaponry No.134 was renamed into Engineering Plant "Vympel". The development of the BV-PLO bombing system for Tu-124 was completed. On November 7, 1967 the 3M9 missile mounted on the Kub system was first demonstrated during the parade on Red Square. At that time it was the best missile system, which greatly impressed foreign journalists and military specialists.
     The R-23 missile for MiG-23 aircraft was the next product, created in the design bureau. The missile had two interchangeable seekers, i.e. R-23R semiactive radar homing head and R-23T heat homing head. It was the first example of a missile of modular design based on the unified aerodynamic pattern. During R-23 testing the specialists saw the prospects for considerable increase of a missile range by upgrading the radar seeker.
     At the same time R-60, the first missile for close combat, and R-33 for MiG-31 fighter, were developed. Moreover, in 1970 the second generation of the bombing system for Su-24 (M) was ready to put into operation.
     From the start the R-33 high-range missile had to meet the stringent technical requirements. It was meant to destroy the aircrafts before the launch of cruise missiles and the cruise missiles themselves after launching. The operational range of the missile had to be not less than 100 km. Most of these tasks were successfully tackled. Thus, some missile elements were made of high temperature resistant titanic alloys; passive system of heat shielding was developed to protect the missile body, units and solid-fuel engine.
     At the same time the jettisoning unit (AKU-410) was designed, as R-33 was the first “air-to-air” missile, ejected from under the plane fuselage.  As a result, AKU-410 was successfully used for several high-range missile modifications.
     In 1980 the complex of MiG-31 with P-33 missile and AKU-410 jettisoning unit onboard was adopted. The missile can destroy any air targets, including supersonic crafts, flying with overload at the altitude up to 28 km.  Moreover, P-33 successfully destroys skimming cruise missiles, flying at critically low altitudes (up to 30 m). The missile guidance system ensures simultaneous launching of four missiles to destroy four targets.
     In 1973 the R-23R and R-23T “air-to-air” medium-range missiles and the R-60 missiles of close combat were adopted.
     In 1974 the collective of the enterprise began working on the updated version of R-23 under the name of R-24. The most distinctive feature of the new missile was the wings with sweepforward rear edges. In 1978 it was adopted and successfully used onboard the MiG-23ML aircrafts during the armed conflict in South Lebanon in 1982. The R-24 missile was an important landmark in the history of domestic missile production.
     In 1974 the "Vympel" specialists were given the order to develop a missile, compatible with two different fighters, i.e. light MiG-29 and heavy Su-27.  During the work on the R-27 missile family the specialists of the enterprise finally shaped the concept of a missile of modular design with interchangeable homing heads (heat and radar), removable engines and uniform central part, containing the arming, autopilot system, steering unit and power supply units. This missile had a number of advantages over the world counterparts, i.e. the compact modular design and unique aerodynamic configuration.
     The flight tests onboard the MiG-29 fighter were a success, and in 1987 the R-27R and R-27T versions were adopted. The work on the R-27E version (with a more powerful engine) was completed only in 1990 due to delays in design of the Su-27 aircraft. Later the expert versions of R-27R1 and R-27T1 missiles were made.
     At that period the enterprise gained some expertise in the specific area of work, i.e. the development of launching devices. Later the Design Bureau made the launchers even for the missiles, designed at the other plants.
     In the 1970s  Engineering Plant "Vympel" became one of the leading defense enterprises of the country, specializing in development of missiles and aviation armament systems.
    In 1974 the enterprise celebrated its 25the anniversary, and on October 11, 1974 it was awarded the Medal of the Red  Labour Banner. Andrei Lyapin, designer general, was given the rank of the Hero of the Socialist Labor; many specialists were decorated with the government awards.
     In 1978 the work on bombing system for the MiG-25RB supersonic fighter was completed.
     Moreover, the collective of the design bureau started to work in a new area, i.e. the development of the Kh-29 “air-to-surface” missile, which was originally designed at the Scientific and Production Association Molniya, headed by Matus Bisnovata. In 1980 two versions were adopted. They were the Kh-29L missile with a semi-active laser homing head and the Kh-29T missile with a passive TV homing head. Kh-29 is compatible with the MiG-27, Su-17 and Su-25 fighters and many foreign aircrafts.
     In 1981 Gennadiy A. Sokolovskiy was appointed designer general and director general of the enterprise. At that time the process of merging Vympel and Molniya began.  A group of Molniya specialists, responsible for R-73 and X-29, came to work at Vimpel.
     In 1982 the merging was completed. "Vympel" became the unique domestic enterprise, having very strong scientific and design resources as well as test and pilot facilities, and developing a wide range of missiles alongside with conventional aircraft arming.
     The R-73 missile for close maneuver combat became the first product of the merged enterprise. The distinctive feature of the model is aero-gas-dynamic control system, increasing missile maneuverability. The R-73 missile is based on “duck” scheme and equipped with the autopilot and small-sized all-aspect IR homing head, providing high combat efficiency. The missile can destroy any air targets at the altitudes from 20 m up to 20 km. The operational range is from 30 m up to 30 km. The R-73E export modification is compatible with the majority of foreign-made aircrafts. Adopted in 1983, the R-73 missile is still unsurpassed by its close combat effectiveness.  
     In 1982 the development of the RVV-AE medium-range missile with the active homing head began. This missile is one of the most remarkable achievements of "Vympel". The distinctive feature of the missile is a latticed rudder. This structure ensures the flawless flow and combat efficiency at the angle of 400. The latticed rudder has better strength and aero-resilient characteristics, comparing to traditional rudders. It permits to destroy the targets, maneuvering with the overload of 8 points. 
     The missile is launched either from the APU-170 rail or from the AKU-170 installations, developed by the Vympel specialists. The RVV-AE missile is superior to its foreign counterparts, as it can destroy the targets at the altitudes from 20 m up to 28 km.  The operational range is from 300 m up to 100 km.
     Adopted in 1994, the missile is used worldwide, mounted on MiG-29, Su-30 and some foreign-made aircrafts.
     Continuing the work in the area of traditional aircraft armaments, the specialists of the enterprise designed the bombing and mini-trawl complex (BV and MTV) for the Albatros amphibian in 1988.
     At the same time the countermeasure dispensing sets for front-line aircraft were created. The first model of UV-26 was soon adopted.
     By the end of the 1980s design work had become the main specialization of "Vympel". As a result, in 1989 the enterprise was renamed into Engineering Design Bureau "Vympel". It took part in Khodynka-89 exhibition, where the R-27, R-73, R-23, R-24, Õ-29 missiles were demonstrated to the public for the first time.
     In 1990 one more countermeasure dispensing set for MiG-31, called UV-3A, was successfully tested.
     In 1992 the enterprise was renamed into State Design Bureau "Vympel" and took part in the International aerospace show Mosaeroshow-1992 and in the International aerospace show Farnborough-1992 in England.
     During perestroika most of defense enterprises were struggling. There were almost no state defense orders; the payments of already completed design work were delayed; the system of economic relations collapsed. At those hard times the management of Vimpel made a decision to broaden the area of research, using the intellectual and production resource as efficient as possible.    
     The PVV-AE series production and export as well as the development of civil products began. The 3M20M3 target missile was made on the basis of the 3M9M3 missiles of the Kub systems to test new generations of missiles and train the crews of antiaircraft missile systems. The model in question was adopted in 1997.
     In several years the specialists of the enterprise designed various aerodrome equipment, drilling units, auxiliary emergency and fire equipment, electronic, light and medical devices.
     In 2001 the enterprise embarked on the test work to make the existing missiles compatible with the foreign-made aircrafts.  The R-73E missile onboard Mirazh F1 aircraft of the air forces of the South African Republic was displayed at Moscow Aviation & Space Salon in 2001.
     Under the Decree of the RF President ¹ 591 of May 9, 2004 the federal state unitary enterprise "State Design Bureau "Vympel"  was reorganized into a joint stock company and merged with Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC under the name of  GosMKB "Vympel" named after I.I.Toropov JSC.
     Today GosMKB "Vympel" is one of the leading defense enterprises in Russia, developing missile, shooting and bombing weapons, guided missiles for land and naval antiaircraft systems, target missiles, launching and catapult installations and other aviation equipment.
      The armaments, made by "Vympel", are used at almost all famous fighting planes and helicopters worldwide. The enterprise designed and launched into the serial production over 200 types of military products and their modifications and laid the foundation for the development of new competitive models.
     Over 50 types of its military products are in the inventory of more than 30 countries.
     The specialists of the design bureau upgrade the existing military products and work in the new areas of research. More export modification are created and mastered by foreign partners.