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R-73 vs R550 Magic II

R-73 vs R550 Magic II at a glance — range 30 vs 20 km, speed 3,087 vs 3,334 km/h, warhead 7 vs 12 kg, launch weight 105 vs 89 kg.

Specifications
R-73 R550 Magic II
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇫🇷 France
Category Air-to-Air Air-to-Air
Type Infrared-guided air-to-air missile Infrared-guided air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Vympel Matra
Service year 1984 1986
Number produced -- units 11,300 units
Estimated unit price NA $0.1 million
Range 30.0 km 20.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 2.5 Mach 2.7
Weight 105 kg 89 kg
Warhead 7.4 kg 12.5 kg
Length 2.90 m 2.75 m
Diameter 170 mm 157 mm
Guidance Inertial navigation system and IRCCM Infrared homing
Warhead type High Explosive High Explosive
Scale Comparison
R-73 2.90 m R550 MAGIC II 2.75 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the R-73 or R550 Magic II?
The R-73 has a longer range at 30 km compared to the R550 Magic II's 20 km.
Which is faster, the R-73 or R550 Magic II?
The R550 Magic II is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.7 compared to the R-73's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-73 or R550 Magic II?
The R550 Magic II carries a larger warhead at 12 kg compared to the R-73's 7 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-73 or R550 Magic II?
The R-73 is heavier at 105 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-73 or R550 Magic II?
The R-73 is longer at 2.90 meters compared to the R550 Magic II's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-73 and R550 Magic II use?
The R-73 uses Inertial navigation system and IRCCM guidance while the R550 Magic II uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-73 or R550 Magic II?
The R-73 entered service first in 1984, 2 years before the R550 Magic II which entered service in 1986.