R-33 vs AIM-9 Sidewinder
The R-33 and the AIM-9 Sidewinder are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-33 has a range of 160 km — 9.4x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The R-33 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The R-33 carries a 47.5 kg warhead vs 10.2 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Launch weight is 490 kg for the R-33 vs 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-9 Sidewinder relies on Imaging infrared homing focal plane array. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 25 years before the R-33 (1956 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 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 | 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 | 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-33 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the R-33 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-33 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-33 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-33 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the R-33 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-33 and AIM-9 Sidewinder use?
The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-33 or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 25 years before the R-33 which entered service in 1981.