Just curious if this has ever been tried, presumably with heat seekers that wouldn't rely on radar. Having one or two would be a great way to keep bandits off ones six. Of course there are a bunch of logistical problems with something like this'll there are likely many reasons why it isn't feasible, but I still wonder if it's ever been tried.

If you mean in real life then the answer is yes. The Russians had done it not sure how well it went out though. I can't remember the name of the missile but it was made for the Su-35 if I remember right.

It has been tried and abandoned by the Russians.

Iris-T or ASRAAM have been tested against targets on the six by the Australians. These are fairly new missiles.

Footage of rear-facing R-73 tests:
http://airbase.ru/hangar/weapons/russia/aa/r-73-back/index.htm

Of course it has, did you never see Firefox ?

The R-73 variant uses a solid booster to kill forward velocity (and then thrust vectoring for control). It has limited range as its start velocity is lower than the forward firing version.

During the Cold War, there were also proposals for spherical missiles (and other missiles) that could be used to defend bombers (although, I don't think these reached the prototype stage).

A number of missiles can now turn around after launch to attack targets in the rear (I should think that the new 360 sensors the Russians are developing will help with this).

Pretty sure one of the Janes sims (either USNF or ATF/NATO) modelled an SU-35 with a single rear-facing IR missile.

You have to remember to think in Russian, Mr Gant. Think... in Russian. Do you think you can do that?

Yes. I'm the best there is.



Later...

[Finaly thinks "raket pozhara nazad"]

[Loud Explosion]

"Co-ordinates locked in, I'm coming home..."

Best. Movie. Ever.

PS: Currently listening to Craig Thomas' "Firefox Down" audiobook; thanks for the reminder, I never got around to reading this fantastic book 'till now.

I believe the recently retired British Jaguar fighter/attack aircraft, which had heaters mounted on pylons on the tops of the wings sometimes had them rear-facing. Not certain about this though.