R-60 vs AIM-7 Sparrow
The R-60 and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 8.8x the R-60's 8 km. The R-60 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-60 carries a 6 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 44 kg for the R-60 vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-60 uses Infrared homing guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 15 years before the R-60 (1958 vs 1973).
| Soviet air-to-air missile, entered service in 1973, utilizes infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1973 |
| 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 | 8.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 44 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 6.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.09 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 120 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared 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-60 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the R-60's 8 km.
Which is faster, the R-60 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the R-60's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-60 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the R-60's 6 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-60 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the R-60's 44 kg.
Which is longer, the R-60 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the R-60's 2.09 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-60 and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The R-60 uses Infrared homing guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-60 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 15 years before the R-60 which entered service in 1973.