R-33 vs AIM-7 Sparrow
The R-33 and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-33 has a range of 160 km — 2.3x the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km. The R-33 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-33 carries a 47.5 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 490 kg for the R-33 vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 23 years before the R-33 (1958 vs 1981).
| 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 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 | 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 | 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-33 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the R-33 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-33 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-33 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 39 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-33 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the R-33 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 3.68 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-33 and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-33 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 23 years before the R-33 which entered service in 1981.