R-73 vs R550 Magic
The R-73 and the R550 Magic are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-73 has a range of 30 km — 2.5x the R550 Magic's 12 km. The R-73 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the R550 Magic. The R-73 carries a 7.4 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic. Launch weight is 105 kg for the R-73 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic. The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance, while the R550 Magic relies on Infrared homing. The R-73 entered service 2 years before the R550 Magic (1984 vs 1986).
| 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 |
| French air-to-air missile, entering service in 1986, utilizes infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Service year | 1986 |
| Number produced | 11,300 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 | 12.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 89 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.75 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-73 or R550 Magic?
The R-73 has a longer range at 30 km compared to the R550 Magic's 12 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or R550 Magic?
The R550 Magic 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 R550 Magic?
The R550 Magic carries a larger warhead at 12 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or R550 Magic?
The R-73 is heavier at 105 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or R550 Magic?
The R-73 is longer at 2.90 meters compared to the R550 Magic's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and R550 Magic use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the R550 Magic uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or R550 Magic?
The R-73 entered service first in 1984, 2 years before the R550 Magic which entered service in 1986.