R-33 vs AIM-120 AMRAAM
The R-33 and the AIM-120 AMRAAM are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 160 km for the R-33 vs 105 km for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The R-33 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 4,940 km/h for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The R-33 carries a 47.5 kg warhead vs 20 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Launch weight is 490 kg for the R-33 vs 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-120 AMRAAM relies on Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink. The R-33 entered service 10 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM (1981 vs 1991).
| Soviet air-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, carries a 47.5 kg warhead. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1981 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1991, using active radar homing for terminal guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon / Hughes |
| Service year | 1991 |
| Number produced | 14,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.1 million |
| Range | 160.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 490 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 47.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.15 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial and semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 105.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 161.5 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 20.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.65 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 178 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink |
| Warhead type | High explosive blast-fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-33 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 105 km.
Which is faster, the R-33 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-33 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-33 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 20 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-33 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 161 kg.
Which is longer, the R-33 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 3.65 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-33 and AIM-120 AMRAAM use?
The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-33 or AIM-120 AMRAAM?
The R-33 entered service first in 1981, 10 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM which entered service in 1991.