R-73 vs AIM-9 Sidewinder
| 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 1956, uses infrared homing to track its target. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 million |
| Range | 30.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 â—‰ |
| Weight | 105 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 7.4 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 2.90 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 170 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation system and IRCCM |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 17.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 â—‰ |
| Weight | 85 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 10.2 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 2.85 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 127 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing focal plane array |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-73 has a longer range at 30 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
Both the R-73 and AIM-9 Sidewinder have the same maximum speed of Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-73 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a larger warhead at 10 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-73 is heavier at 105 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-73 is longer at 2.90 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and AIM-9 Sidewinder use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 28 years before the R-73 which entered service in 1984.