R-37 vs R550 Magic
The R-37 and the R550 Magic are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-37 has a range of 400 km — 33:1 the R550 Magic's 12 km. The R-37 reaches 7,350 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the R550 Magic. The R-37 carries a 60 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic. Launch weight is 510 kg for the R-37 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic. The R-37 uses Inertial, semi-active and active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic relies on Infrared homing. The R550 Magic entered service 33 years before the R-37 (1986 vs 2019).
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 2019, travels at speeds up to Mach 4.9. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Hypersonic long-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 2019 |
| 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 | 400.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 6.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 510 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 60.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.06 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, semi-active and active radar homing |
| 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-37 or R550 Magic?
The R-37 has a longer range at 400 km compared to the R550 Magic's 12 km.
Which is faster, the R-37 or R550 Magic?
The R-37 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 6.0 compared to the R550 Magic's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-37 or R550 Magic?
The R-37 carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-37 or R550 Magic?
The R-37 is heavier at 510 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-37 or R550 Magic?
The R-37 is longer at 4.06 meters compared to the R550 Magic's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-37 and R550 Magic use?
The R-37 uses Inertial, semi-active and active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-37 or R550 Magic?
The R550 Magic entered service first in 1986, 33 years before the R-37 which entered service in 2019.