R-23 & R-24 vs R550 Magic II
The R-23 & R-24 and the R550 Magic II are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-23 & R-24 has a range of 50 km — 2.5x the R550 Magic II's 20 km. The R-23 & R-24 reaches 3,704 km/h vs 3,334 km/h for the R550 Magic II. The R-23 & R-24 carries a 35 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic II. Launch weight is 235 kg for the R-23 & R-24 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic II. The R-23 & R-24 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic II relies on Infrared homing. The R-23 & R-24 entered service 5 years before the R550 Magic II (1981 vs 1986).
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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-23 & R-24 or R550 Magic II?
The R-23 & R-24 has a longer range at 50 km compared to the R550 Magic II's 20 km.
Which is faster, the R-23 & R-24 or R550 Magic II?
The R-23 & R-24 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the R550 Magic II's Mach 2.7.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-23 & R-24 or R550 Magic II?
The R-23 & R-24 carries a larger warhead at 35 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-23 & R-24 or R550 Magic II?
The R-23 & R-24 is heavier at 235 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-23 & R-24 or R550 Magic II?
The R-23 & R-24 is longer at 4.50 meters compared to the R550 Magic II's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-23 & R-24 and R550 Magic II use?
The R-23 & R-24 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic II uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-23 & R-24 or R550 Magic II?
The R-23 & R-24 entered service first in 1981, 5 years before the R550 Magic II which entered service in 1986.