R-23 & R-24 vs Iris-T
The R-23 & R-24 and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-23 & R-24 has a range of 50 km — 2.0x the Iris-T's 25 km. The R-23 & R-24 reaches 3,704 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The R-23 & R-24 carries a 35 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 235 kg for the R-23 & R-24 vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The R-23 & R-24 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. The R-23 & R-24 entered service 24 years before the Iris-T (1981 vs 2005).
| Soviet air-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, using semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared or semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1981 |
| 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 | 50.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 235 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 35.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.50 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 223 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | 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-23 & R-24 or Iris-T?
The R-23 & R-24 has a longer range at 50 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the R-23 & R-24 or Iris-T?
Both the R-23 & R-24 and Iris-T have the same maximum speed of Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-23 & R-24 or Iris-T?
The R-23 & R-24 carries a larger warhead at 35 kg compared to the Iris-T's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-23 & R-24 or Iris-T?
The R-23 & R-24 is heavier at 235 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the R-23 & R-24 or Iris-T?
The R-23 & R-24 is longer at 4.50 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-23 & R-24 and Iris-T use?
The R-23 & R-24 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-23 & R-24 or Iris-T?
The R-23 & R-24 entered service first in 1981, 24 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.