R-40 vs R550 Magic II
The R-40 and the R550 Magic II are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-40 has a range of 60 km — 3.0x the R550 Magic II's 20 km. The R-40 reaches 5,080 km/h vs 3,334 km/h for the R550 Magic II. The R-40 carries a 70 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic II. Launch weight is 461 kg for the R-40 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic II. The R-40 uses Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic II relies on Infrared homing. The R-40 entered service 16 years before the R550 Magic II (1970 vs 1986).
| 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 |
| French air-to-air missile, entered service in 1986, uses 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 | 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 | 20.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.7 ◉ |
| Weight | 89 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.75 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 157 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-40 or R550 Magic II?
The R-40 has a longer range at 60 km compared to the R550 Magic II's 20 km.
Which is faster, the R-40 or R550 Magic II?
The R-40 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.1 compared to the R550 Magic II's Mach 2.7.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-40 or R550 Magic II?
The R-40 carries a larger warhead at 70 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-40 or R550 Magic II?
The R-40 is heavier at 461 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-40 or R550 Magic II?
The R-40 is longer at 5.98 meters compared to the R550 Magic II's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-40 and R550 Magic II use?
The R-40 uses Inverse monopulse semi-active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic II uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-40 or R550 Magic II?
The R-40 entered service first in 1970, 16 years before the R550 Magic II which entered service in 1986.