R-73 vs AIM-9X Sidewinder
The R-73 and the AIM-9X Sidewinder are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 30 km for the R-73 vs 35 km for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. The R-73 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. The R-73 carries a 7.4 kg warhead vs 9 kg for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. Launch weight is 105 kg for the R-73 vs 85 kg for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance, while the AIM-9X Sidewinder relies on Imaging infrared homing. The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service 28 years before the R-73 (1956 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 1956, utilizes imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon Company |
| 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 | 35.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 â—‰ |
| Weight | 85 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 9.0 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 3.02 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 127 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | Annular blast-fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder has a longer range at 35 km compared to the R-73's 30 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
Both the R-73 and AIM-9X Sidewinder have the same maximum speed of Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-73 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder carries a larger warhead at 9 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The R-73 is heavier at 105 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is longer at 3.02 meters compared to the R-73's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and AIM-9X Sidewinder use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the AIM-9X Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 28 years before the R-73 which entered service in 1984.