R-60 vs AIM-9 Sidewinder
The R-60 and the AIM-9 Sidewinder are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-9 Sidewinder has a range of 17 km — 2.1x the R-60's 8 km. The R-60 reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The R-60 carries a 6 kg warhead vs 10.2 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Launch weight is 44 kg for the R-60 vs 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The R-60 uses Infrared homing guidance, while the AIM-9 Sidewinder relies on Imaging infrared homing focal plane array. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 17 years before the R-60 (1956 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 1956, uses infrared homing to track its target. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 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 | 17.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 10.2 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing focal plane array |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-60 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder has a longer range at 17 km compared to the R-60's 8 km.
Which is faster, the R-60 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
Both the R-60 and AIM-9 Sidewinder have the same maximum speed of Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-60 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a larger warhead at 10 kg compared to the R-60's 6 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-60 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is heavier at 85 kg compared to the R-60's 44 kg.
Which is longer, the R-60 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is longer at 2.85 meters compared to the R-60's 2.09 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-60 and AIM-9 Sidewinder use?
The R-60 uses Infrared homing guidance while the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-60 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 17 years before the R-60 which entered service in 1973.