R-73 vs AIM-7 Sparrow
Overview
The R-73 and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 2.3x the R-73's 30 km. The R-73 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-73 carries a 7.4 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 105 kg for the R-73 vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing.
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 26 years before the R-73 (1958 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.68 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the R-73's 30 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow 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-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the R-73's 105 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the R-73's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 26 years before the R-73 which entered service in 1984.