R-73 vs AIM-120 AMRAAM
Overview
The R-73 and the AIM-120 AMRAAM are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a range of 105 km — 3.5x the R-73's 30 km. The R-73 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,940 km/h for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The R-73 carries a 7.4 kg warhead vs 20 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Launch weight is 105 kg for the R-73 vs 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance, while the AIM-120 AMRAAM relies on Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink.
The R-73 entered service 7 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM (1984 vs 1991).
| 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 |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1991, using active radar homing for terminal guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon / Hughes |
| Service year | 1991 |
| Number produced | 14,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.1 million |
| 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 | 105.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 161.5 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 20.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.65 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 178 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink |
| Warhead type | High explosive blast-fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a longer range at 105 km compared to the R-73's 30 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the R-73's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-73 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a larger warhead at 20 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is heavier at 161 kg compared to the R-73's 105 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is longer at 3.65 meters compared to the R-73's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and AIM-120 AMRAAM use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-73 entered service first in 1984, 7 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM which entered service in 1991.