R-27 vs R550 Magic II
The R-27 and the R550 Magic II are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-27 has a range of 80 km — 4.0x the R550 Magic II's 20 km. The R-27 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,334 km/h for the R550 Magic II. The R-27 carries a 39 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic II. Launch weight is 253 kg for the R-27 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic II. The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic II relies on Infrared homing. The R-27 entered service 3 years before the R550 Magic II (1983 vs 1986).
| 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 |
| French air-to-air missile, entered service in 1986, uses infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Service year | 1986 |
| Number produced | 11,300 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.1 million |
| Range | 80.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 253 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.08 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 230 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 20.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.7 ◉ |
| Weight | 89 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.75 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 157 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-27 or R550 Magic II?
The R-27 has a longer range at 80 km compared to the R550 Magic II's 20 km.
Which is faster, the R-27 or R550 Magic II?
The R-27 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the R550 Magic II's Mach 2.7.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-27 or R550 Magic II?
The R-27 carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-27 or R550 Magic II?
The R-27 is heavier at 253 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-27 or R550 Magic II?
The R-27 is longer at 4.08 meters compared to the R550 Magic II's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-27 and R550 Magic II use?
The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic II uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-27 or R550 Magic II?
The R-27 entered service first in 1983, 3 years before the R550 Magic II which entered service in 1986.