R-73 vs Iris-T
The R-73 and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 30 km for the R-73 vs 25 km for the Iris-T. The R-73 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The R-73 carries a 7.4 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 105 kg for the R-73 vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. The R-73 entered service 21 years before the Iris-T (1984 vs 2005).
| 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 |
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 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 | 25.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 â—‰ |
| Weight | 87 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 2.94 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 127 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or Iris-T?
The R-73 has a longer range at 30 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or Iris-T?
The Iris-T is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the R-73's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-73 or Iris-T?
The Iris-T carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or Iris-T?
The R-73 is heavier at 105 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or Iris-T?
The Iris-T is longer at 2.94 meters compared to the R-73's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and Iris-T use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or Iris-T?
The R-73 entered service first in 1984, 21 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.