R-27 vs AIM-7 Sparrow
The R-27 and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 80 km for the R-27 vs 70 km for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-27 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-27 carries a 39 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 253 kg for the R-27 vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 25 years before the R-27 (1958 vs 1983).
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 1983, guided by semi-active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1983 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1958, utilizes semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1958 |
| Number produced | 70,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.1 million |
| Range | 80.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 â—‰ |
| Weight | 253 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 4.08 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 230 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 70.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 â—‰ |
| Weight | 228 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 3.68 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 203 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-27 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-27 has a longer range at 80 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the R-27 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-27 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-27 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
Both the R-27 and AIM-7 Sparrow carry the same warhead weight of 39 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-27 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-27 is heavier at 253 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the R-27 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-27 is longer at 4.08 meters compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 3.68 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-27 and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-27 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 25 years before the R-27 which entered service in 1983.