R-40 vs Iris-T
The R-40 and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-40 has a range of 60 km — 2.4x the Iris-T's 25 km. The R-40 reaches 5,080 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The R-40 carries a 70 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 461 kg for the R-40 vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The R-40 uses Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. The R-40 entered service 35 years before the Iris-T (1970 vs 2005).
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 25.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 87 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.94 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-40 or Iris-T?
The R-40 has a longer range at 60 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the R-40 or Iris-T?
The R-40 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.1 compared to the Iris-T's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-40 or Iris-T?
The R-40 carries a larger warhead at 70 kg compared to the Iris-T's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-40 or Iris-T?
The R-40 is heavier at 461 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the R-40 or Iris-T?
The R-40 is longer at 5.98 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-40 and Iris-T use?
The R-40 uses Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-40 or Iris-T?
The R-40 entered service first in 1970, 35 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.