R-73 vs R-33
The R-73 and the R-33 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-33 has a range of 160 km — 5.3x the R-73's 30 km. The R-73 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 5,556 km/h for the R-33. The R-73 carries a 7.4 kg warhead vs 47.5 kg for the R-33. Launch weight is 105 kg for the R-73 vs 490 kg for the R-33. The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance, while the R-33 relies on Inertial and semi-active radar homing. The R-33 entered service 3 years before the R-73 (1981 vs 1984).
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 1984, uses inertial navigation and IRCCM guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1984 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Soviet air-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, carries a 47.5 kg warhead. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1981 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 30.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 105 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 7.4 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.90 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 170 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation system and IRCCM |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 160.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 490 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 47.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.15 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial and semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or R-33?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the R-73's 30 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or R-33?
The R-33 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the R-73's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-73 or R-33?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or R-33?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the R-73's 105 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or R-33?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the R-73's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and R-33 use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or R-33?
The R-33 entered service first in 1981, 3 years before the R-73 which entered service in 1984.