R-40 vs AIM-7 Sparrow
The R-40 and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 60 km for the R-40 vs 70 km for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-40 reaches 5,080 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-40 carries a 70 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 461 kg for the R-40 vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-40 uses Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 12 years before the R-40 (1958 vs 1970).
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 1970, uses inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared or semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1970 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1958, utilizes semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1958 |
| Number produced | 70,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.1 million |
| Range | 60.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.1 ◉ |
| Weight | 461 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 70.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.98 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 310 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.68 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-40 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the R-40's 60 km.
Which is faster, the R-40 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-40 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.1 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-40 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-40 carries a larger warhead at 70 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 39 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-40 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-40 is heavier at 461 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the R-40 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-40 is longer at 5.98 meters compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 3.68 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-40 and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The R-40 uses Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-40 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 12 years before the R-40 which entered service in 1970.